Early Diagnosis and Treatment of Neurocognitive Disorders in the Psychiatric Setting

As the prevalence of dementia rises, healthcare professionals face the challenge of recognizing symptoms, performing appropriate differential diagnostic workups, and treating it early. The importance of this is highlighted through new drug approvals and the integration of biomarkers for treatment response assessment. Moreover, navigating the concept of meaningful treatment benefit in preclinical and early stages of dementia poses distinct challenges. By the end of this presentation, participants will learn to navigate these complexities, optimize patient care through early recognition and tailored interventions, and interpret emerging treatment paradigms and biomarker data effectively.

Target Audience

If you are a pharmacist, nurse practitioner, or other health care professional involved in the comprehensive medication management of individuals living with mental health and/or substance use disorders, we invite you to participate in this online course.

Course Requirements

To receive ACPE credit for this session, you must:

  • Register for this course.
  • Review the full content of the activity and reflect upon its teachings.
  • Complete the evaluation at the end of the activity.
  • Provide the necessary details in your profile to ensure correct reporting by AAPP to CPE Monitor.

Faculty Information

Ganesh Gopalakrishna, MD
View biographical information

Ganesh Gopalakrishna, MD
Program Director, Geriatric Psychiatry Fellowship; Associate Clinical Medical Director, Stead Family Memory Center, Banner Alzheimer’s Institute
Phoenix, AZ

Dr. Gopalakrishna received his medical degree from Bangalore Medical College in India. He completed his residency in adult psychiatry at University of Missouri-Columbia and received a masters in Health Administration at University of Missouri-Columbia. He completed additional subspecialty training in geriatric psychiatry at Vanderbilt University.
 
Dr. Gopalakrishna is board-certified in adult psychiatry, geriatric psychiatry and addiction medicine. He has served as faculty at University of Missouri-Columbia and University of Arizona. He currently serves as the associate clinic director Banner Alzheimers Institute at Phoenix Arizona. He also serves as the program director for geriatric psychiatry fellowship at University of Arizona, Phoenix. His research interests include administrative psychiatry, neurocognitive disorders and use of technology in mental health.

Learning Objectives

  1. Identify early signs and symptoms of dementia across diverse patient populations.
  2. Describe the potential utility of biomarkers in diagnosis, disease monitoring, and treatment response assessment of neurocognitive disorders.
  3. Discuss current and emerging treatment options for early dementia, including pharmacologic and non-pharmacologic interventions.
  4. Define a meaningful treatment benefit in preclinical and early stages of dementia.

Continuing Education Credit and Disclosures

Activity Dates: 04/29/2025 - 04/29/2028
ACPE Contact Hours: 1
ACPE Number: 0284-0000-25-020-H01-P (Knowledge)
Nursing Credit Reminder: Note that ACPE credit is accepted for ANCC Certification Renewal and AANPCB advanced practice provider content. For specific questions related to your organization's acceptance of ACPE continuing education units, please contact your organization directly.

ACPEThe American Association of Psychiatric Pharmacists is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education as a provider of continuing pharmacy education.

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View disclaimer and disclosure of off-label use

Off-Label Use: This educational activity may contain discussion of published and/or investigational uses of agents that are not indicated by the FDA (see faculty information). The opinions expressed in the educational activity do not necessarily represent the views of AAPP and any educational partners. Please refer to the official prescribing information for each product for discussion of approved indications, contraindications, and warnings.

Disclaimer: Participants have an implied responsibility to use the newly acquired information to enhance patient outcomes and their own professional development. Any procedures, medications, or other courses of diagnosis or treatment discussed or suggested in this activity should not be used by clinicians without evaluation of their patient’s conditions and possible contraindications on dangers in use, review of any applicable manufacturer’s product information, and comparison with recommendations of other authorities. Please refer to the official prescribing information for each product for discussion of approved indications, contraindications, and warnings.

View fair balance and integrity statement

It is the policy of AAPP to ensure independence, balance, objectivity, scientific rigor, and integrity in continuing education activities. Those involved in the development of this continuing education activity have made all reasonable efforts to ensure that information contained herein is accurate in accordance with the latest available scientific knowledge at the time of accreditation of this continuing education activity. Information regarding drugs (e.g., their administration, dosages, contraindications, adverse reactions, interactions, special warnings, and precautions) and drug delivery systems is subject to change, however, and the reader is advised to check the manufacturer’s package insert for information concerning recommended dosage and potential problems or cautions prior to dispensing or administering the drug or using the drug delivery systems.

Fair balance is achieved through ongoing and thorough review of all materials produced by faculty, and all educational and advertising materials produced by supporting organizations, prior to educational offerings. Approval of credit for this continuing education activity does not imply endorsement by AAPP for any product or manufacturer identified.