University of Miami The Aging Brain: Navigating Cognition, Mental Health and Psychopharmacological Treatment 2025

Brain health is recognized as an essential part of successful aging. To promote longevity and quality of life, brain functioning across cognitive, socio-emotional, and behavioral domains allows a person to realize their full potential over their lifetime. The prevalence of cognitive disorders is increasing rapidly as people live longer. Reducing the risk of cognitive disorders such as Alzheimer’s Disease and Related Dementias (ADRD) is as essential to the clinician as reducing hypertension and diabetes in reducing cardiovascular disease. This course is designed to educate the practitioners and equip them with essential knowledge and state-of-the-art scientific methods to diagnose Alzheimer’s Disease and Related Dementias (ADRD) at its earliest stages and assist patients and their loved ones. Drawing on the presenters’ vast scientific and clinical expertise, the participants will be able to differentiate different cognitive syndromes and the etiological underpinnings of various clinical presentations. In addition, the participant will be familiarized with state-of-the-art neuropsychological and novel neuroimaging and plasma-based biomarkers methods to detect the earliest stages of Alzheimer’s Disease. This presentation will also provide essential information about emerging pharmacological agents in the treatment and management of Alzheimer’s Disease and Related Dementias, identifying the importance of cultural diversity and the importance of working with family members.

1. Differentiate between normal cognitive aging, mild cognitive impairment (MCI), and clinical dementia.
2. Debate how to identify the underlying brain disorders causing clinical cognitive impairment in older adults.
3. Identify the evidence-based, emerging brain biomarkers in cognitive disorders that help to diagnose at-risk older individuals for Alzheimer’s Disease and Related Dementias (ADRD).
4. Identify the role of traditional and novel cognitive neuropsychological testing in early diagnosis of cognitive disorders in older individuals.
5. Differentiate Alzheimer’s Disease from non- Alzheimer’s Disease pathology.
6. Describe current pharmacological and nonpharmacological approaches to the treatment of Alzheimer’s Disease and Related Dementias (ADRD).
7. Identify the emerging and promising agents in the treatment and management of early Alzheimer’s disease (AD).
8. Recognize geriatric psychopharmacology and how to optimally treat the more challenging geriatric mental health conditions.
9. Describe the promotion of brain health and longevity through evidence-based prevention.

1. Differentiate between normal cognitive aging, mild cognitive impairment (MCI), and clinical dementia.
2. Debate how to identify the underlying brain disorders causing clinical cognitive impairment in older adults.
3. Identify the evidence-based, emerging brain biomarkers in cognitive disorders that help to diagnose at-risk older individuals for Alzheimer’s Disease and Related Dementias (ADRD).
4. Identify the role of traditional and novel cognitive neuropsychological testing in early diagnosis of cognitive disorders in older individuals.
5. Differentiate Alzheimer’s Disease from non- Alzheimer’s Disease pathology.
6. Describe current pharmacological and nonpharmacological approaches to the treatment of Alzheimer’s Disease and Related Dementias (ADRD).
7. Identify the emerging and promising agents in the treatment and management of early Alzheimer’s disease (AD).
8. Recognize geriatric psychopharmacology and how to optimally treat the more challenging geriatric mental health conditions.
9. Describe the promotion of brain health and longevity through evidence-based prevention.

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