The Cognitive Sequelae of Pseudodementia & PTSD

Faculty

Needs Statement

Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a common cause of cognitive impairment seen in many persons. Common trauma (e.g. unexpected death of a loved one) carries some risk for PTSD, while exposure to combat, bombing, and mass violence experiences carries a higher risk.

Understanding the diagnosis and treatment of PTSD and learning how to differentiate the cognitive sequalae of such a diagnosis from the many other types of degenerative disease states that affect the elderly is important if we hope to improve our care for persons who suffer from both PTSD and degenerative disease states such as Alzheimer’s Disease.

Target Audience

Physicians

Objectives

1. Describe the symptoms of PTSD.
2. Review cognitive neuroanatomy in relation to PTSD.
3. Describe pseudodementia. 
   
4. Discuss causes of PTSD.
5. Review diagnosis and treatment of PTSD/Dementia.
   

Accreditation

CME
The University of Kentucky College of Medicine is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME) to provide continuing medical education for physicians.

The University of Kentucky College of Medicine designates this enduring material for a maximum of 1.00 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit(s)™. Physicians should only claim credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.

The University of Kentucky College of Medicine presents this activity for educational purposes only. Participants are expected to utilize their own expertise and judgment while engaged in the practice of medicine. The content of the presentations is provided solely by presenters who have been selected for presentations because of recognized expertise in their field.

KBEP
The University of Kentucky is authorized by the Kentucky Board of Examiners in Psychology to provide continuing education for psychologists.

Faculty Disclosure

Dr. Jicha receives contract grant support for clinical trial research from Pfizer, Medivation, Baxter and Danone.  He has been a consultant for Medivation and Martek Biosciences on preclinical and clinical trial development.