Happy spring time!
Hello friends and colleagues,
As a geriatrician in a memory clinic, I understand the difficulties dementia care professionals faced during COVID-19. And I also understand the enormous relief you may be feeling as pandemic restrictions are lifted and vaccine distribution continues. We deserve a moment to reflect on any lessons learned the past year and new steps to consider moving forward.
The Wisconsin Alzheimer's Institute's Affiliated Dementia Diagnostic Clinic Network members will have an opportunity to do just that at our upcoming spring meeting on May 21.The virtual event will include a session about emerging models of memory care post-COVID. If you're interested in learning how to join the network, please click here.
Read on to find links to more professional events, CE opportunities and research news. Thanks for reading and welcome to what I hope is a lovely spring!
Cynthia Carlsson, MD, MS
Louis A. Holland, Sr., Professor in Alzheimer’s Disease
Department of Medicine
Division of Geriatrics and Gerontology
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Clinical Management and Treatment
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Educational videos you can watch now
 At our fall Annual Update in Alzheimer's Disease and Related Dementias, Wisconsin Alzheimer's Institute Public Health Leader Art Walaszek, MD, gave a presentation about behavioral management of patients with dementia. Watch a recording on the WAI YouTube channel.
Did you know?
UW Department of Medicine provides archived videos of its Grand Rounds lecture series. The following are recent topics related to the care of older adults and people with dementia:
You can join live, virtual UW Department of Medicine Grand Rounds or UW Geriatrics Interprofessional Conference Series events for CE credit.
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Upcoming Events
Clinic Network Spring Meeting
May 21, 2021, 1 p.m. - 4 p.m. CDT
Virtual event
The WAI-Affiliated Dementia Diagnostic Clinic Network will host its Spring Meeting on May 21, 2021. The meeting is free, but open only to members of the network. Network members, register here. Not a member? Learn about becoming a WAI-Affiliated Dementia Diagnostic Clinic.
Inaugural Kaufer Lecture
June 1, 2021, 4 p.m. - 5:15 p.m. CDT
Virtual event
The Dr. Daniel I. Kaufer Lecture Series is an educational program devoted to shaping future generations of dementia care professionals. Guest lecturer Bradley F. Boeve, MD, professor of neurology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, will present at the inaugural event on the topic of "Diagnosis and Management of Dementia with Lewy Bodies." Register here.
Save the Date: Wisconsin Update in Geriatric Medicine (WUGM)
September 21 - 24, 2021
Virtual event
An in-depth review of the field of Geriatric Medicine designed for all providers who care for older adults.This activity has been approved for ACPE CE credit, AMA PRA Category 1 Credits, ANCC contact hours and CEUs. Find details here.
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UW Research Opportunities
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Dementia Care Research Core Recruitment Registry: A new opportunity for both people with memory issues and their caregivers. Care research focuses on understanding how to improve the quality of life for people with Alzheimer’s disease and their families by looking at the care they receive (at home or within the healthcare system). Learn how to participate in the registry.
Wisconsin ADRC Clinical Core: The Wisconsin Alzheimer's Disease Research Center (ADRC) Clinical Core is open to people who meet one of the following criteria: dementia due to Alzheimer's disease, people with mild cognitive impairment (MCI), or people age 45-65 with or without a parental history of Alzheimer's disease. People who join the Clinical Core attend either annual or every-other-year visits with a study partner and undergo memory and thinking abilities evaluations. They also participate in other ADRC-affiliated studies. Learn how to participate.
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UW Dementia Research News
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National Dementia Research News
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Dementia linked to increased pain years before diagnosis
People with dementia may experience increased levels of pain 16 years before their diagnosis, according to new research. The study is the first to examine the link between pain and dementia over an extended period.
Microglia build plaques to protect brain
Could it be that microglia build plaques rather than bust them? Researchers led by Greg Lemke at the Salk Institute for Biological Studies, La Jolla, California, add to the evidence for this idea.
FDA explores drugs for dementia
Study to determine whether medicines currently used to treat conditions other than dementia can help prevent or treat Alzheimer’s disease.
In pilot study, electric therapy improves memory
Can electric current spark better memory in people with mild cognitive impairment? Possibly, according to researchers—at least short-term.
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Resources for Dementia Care Professionals
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Dementia Capable Wisconsin
Expanded details about Dementia Capable programs created by WAI are now available online. Find training guides, workbooks and more resources for dementia care professionals.
Wisconsin Alzheimer's Institute
Alzheimer's.gov resources for professionals
A new federal resource has information, training and education materials for dementia care professionals and community health providers.
US Dept. of Health and Human Services and National Institutes of Health
A geriatrician shares wisdom gained from patients during COVID-19
Reflections and impressions on caring for older patients during COVID-19.
Next Avenue
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4-part podcast series examines the science, culture and politics of Alzheimer's disease
Physician and author Dr. Jason Karlawish joined the Dementia Matters podcast for four installments centered around his new book, The Problem of Alzheimer's: How Science, Culture, and Politics Turned a Rare Disease Into a Crisis and What We Can Do About It. Dr. Karlawish details breakthroughs in diagnosing and treating Alzheimer’s disease and he offers an argument for how we can live with dementia, proposing reforms that would give caregivers and patients better quality of life. Listen here.
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