Free, independent CPD for Irish doctors by Irish doctors

Dementia and Alzheimer’s Disease – Presentation, diagnosis and treatment

By

• Prof Seán Kennelly, Dr Aidan Stankard

Reviewed by: Priscilla Lynch

---

Please log in to take this module.

---

About this Module

This podcast-based CPD module provides a practical, evidence-based update on the diagnosis and management of dementia in clinical practice.

In the podcast interview with presenter Dawn O’Shea, Prof Seán Kennelly discusses the epidemiology of dementia, the major dementia subtypes, and the latest developments in diagnosis and treatment.

Participants will gain an overview of the clinical features that distinguish Alzheimer’s disease, dementia with Lewy bodies, frontotemporal dementia and vascular dementia, together with guidance on the assessment of patients presenting with cognitive impairment. Prof Kelly discusses the role and limitations of cognitive screening tools, appropriate investigations to exclude reversible causes, neuroimaging, and the emerging role of blood-based biomarkers.

The podcast also examines current pharmacological and non-pharmacological management strategies, and potentially modifiable risk factors for dementia.

Learning outcomes

After completing this module, participants should be able to:

• Describe the epidemiology and clinical features of the major dementia subtypes.
• Differentiate between Alzheimer’s disease, dementia with Lewy bodies, frontotemporal dementia and vascular dementia based on their characteristic presentations.
• Outline an evidence-based approach to the assessment and investigation of cognitive impairment, including cognitive testing, laboratory investigations, neuroimaging and emerging biomarkers.
• Recognise the importance of identifying and addressing modifiable dementia risk factors.
• Apply current best practice in the symptomatic management of dementia, including appropriate medication use and avoidance of drugs that may worsen cognition.
• Discuss emerging diagnostic tools and disease-modifying therapies and their potential impact on the future management of patients with dementia

---

Module Steps

To earn CPD credits, follow these steps:

• Study the educational content.
• Complete the 5 MCQs that follow the case study. After each question, you will be able to see whether you answered correctly and will then read evidence-based information that supports the most appropriate answer choice. These questions are part of the educational content and are designed to challenge you. You will not be penalised for answering the questions incorrectly.
• Complete the 10 True or False questions in the Post-Module Assessment. These questions are designed to demonstrate that the module has improved your knowledge base on this topic.
• On attaining a score of 70% or more on the Post-Module Assessment, the assigned CPD credits will be logged to your personal CPD activity log. You may view or print a verification certificate when required or print off an email stating the name of the module, the author details and the CPD hours. You will not be able to alter the certificate or log. The credit that you receive is based on your user profile.
• By providing information on how the module has enhanced your knowledge and/or practice, you may qualify for additional CPD credits during a CPD review.
• DoctorCPD encourages you to complete the Activity Evaluation to provide feedback to guide us in the future development of this site.

Each DoctorCPD module is designed to be completed within the time designated on the Module Introduction page. This is an estimate of the maximum time required to complete the specific module and is determined by the format and content of the module. Users should claim only those credits that reflect the time actually spent on the activity.

To successfully earn credit, participants must complete the activity online, and receive a minimum score of 70% on the post-module assessment.