Advertise on podcast: Dementia in Practice

Dr Rachel Jones is a geriatrician based in Lismore, northern NSW. She shares her personal story of growing up as a daughter of a small-town GP and school music teacher, and granddaughter of the owners of Lismore’s main department store. She reflects on how her upbringing continues to impact her role as a geriatrician in a regional centre. Show Notes  Beating Hearts of Lismore - https://www.facebook.com/p/Beating-Hearts-of-Lismore-100089574039279/   RACGP Quick Log for GP CPD - https://mycpd.racgp.org.au/log       See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this episode, Bec speaks with Ai Lian Lee from Dementia Training Australia’s pharmacy team. Ai Lian outlines how pharmacists can be of assistance to GPs who care for people with impaired cognition. They also discuss which drugs may impair cognition, and which drugs can assist.    Show Notes  Dementia Training Australia – Common Medicines That May Affect Cognition - Medications that affect cognition | Dementia Resource | Dementia Training Australia (DTA)  Clinical Practice Guidelines for Deprescribing in Older People - Deprescribing  RACGP Quick Log for GP CPD - https://mycpd.racgp.org.au/log  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

During our workshops and webinars, we are often asked about the impact of ADHD, Autism (ASD), PTSD and marijuana (THC) use on cognition and their association with dementia. In this episode, Pete poses these tricky questions to Dr Kailas Roberts, psychiatrist and psychogeriatrician, who answers them with great clarity, based on most recent research and his extensive experience.  Show Notes  RACGP Quick Log for GP CPD - https://mycpd.racgp.org.au/log  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Associate Professor Stephen Macfarlane, Head of Clinical Services at Dementia Support Australia, joins Hilton to discuss the causes of changed behaviour in dementia. Drawing on extensive clinical experience, Stephen outlines evidence-based strategies to understand and respond to behavioural and psychological symptoms in a person centred way. Show Notes ● Dementia Training Australia – General Practitioners Hub https://dta.com.au/general-practitioners/ ● Dementia Support Australia https://www.dementia.com.au/ ● Dementia Support Australia – GP Advice Service https://www.dementia.com.au/who-we-help/health-care-professionals/services/gpas ● Dementia Support Australia 24-Hour Helpline: 1800 699 799 ● RACGP Quick Log for GP CPD https://mycpd.racgp.org.au/log   See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this insightful episode, Bec speaks with Tasmanian geriatrician Professor David Dunsbabin about less common dementias, including Frontotemporal Dementia and Lewy Body Disease. The conversation focuses on key clinical features, symptom patterns, and practical tips for differentiation in everyday practice. Show Notes Mild Behavioural Impairment (MBI) Diagnostic Criteria - https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC5652315/table/T1/   MBI checklist - https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC5652315/figure/F2/   RACGP Quick Log for GP CPD - https://mycpd.racgp.org.au/log  Dementia Training Australia – General Practitioners Hub https://dta.com.au/general-practitioners/ See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this episode, Hilton is joined by Professor Kaarin Anstey from UNSW’s Ageing Futures Institute and Neuroscience Research Australia. Together, they explore how memory is stored and retrieved, and unpack the critical distinctions between normal cognitive ageing, Subjective Cognitive Decline, Mild Cognitive Impairment, and Dementia. Show Notes  Mild Behavioural Impairment (MBI) Diagnostic Criteria - https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC5652315/table/T1/   MBI Checklist - https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC5652315/figure/F2/   CogDrisk Cognitive Risk Assessment Tool - https://cogdrisk.neura.edu.au/   Roche Elecsys Phospho-Tau (181P) Product Information - https://elabdoc-prod.roche.com/eLD/api/downloads/e21936a3-0b6c-f011-3091-005056a772fd?countryIsoCode=au    JAMA Network - Blood Biomarkers to Detect Alzheimer Disease in Primary and Secondary Care - Blood Biomarkers to Detect Alzheimer Disease in Primary Care and Secondary Care | Neurology | JAMA | JAMA Network  RACGP Quick Log for GP CPD - https://mycpd.racgp.org.au/log  Dementia Training Australia – General Practitioners Hub - https://dta.com.au/general-practitioners/  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this special bonus episode, familiar guest Dr Steph Daly returns for a cameo conversation with Hilton. Drawing on her involvement in an ongoing clinical trial, Steph shares emerging insights into the role of blood-based biomarkers in assessing people presenting with cognitive symptoms in general practice, and what this evolving evidence could mean for future clinical pathways.    Show Notes  Alzheimer’s Association® Clinical Practice Guideline: Integrating Blood-Based Biomarkers in Alzheimer’s Disease Specialized Care https://pro.alz.org/files/download/E224A154-A199-4DE6-92DA-0B2F87727B70.pdf   Roche Elecsys Phospho-Tau (181P) Product Information - https://elabdoc-prod.roche.com/eLD/api/downloads/e21936a3-0b6c-f011-3091-005056a772fd?countryIsoCode=au   JAMA Network - Blood Biomarkers to Detect Alzheimer Disease in Primary Care and Secondary Care - Blood Biomarkers to Detect Alzheimer Disease in Primary Care and Secondary Care | Neurology | JAMA | JAMA Network ADNeT - Blood Based Biomarker Study - enquiry information for GPs in Melbourne, Adelaide and Newcastle - Blood-Based Biomarkers for Alzheimer’s Disease in Primary Care: A Before and After Study - Australian Dementia Network Dementia Training Australia – General Practitioners Hub - https://dta.com.au/general-practitioners/ RACGP Quick Log for GP CPD - https://mycpd.racgp.org.au/log  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Cognitive impairment is complex, nuanced, and far more than a simple memory issue. In More Than a Memory Problem, Dementia Training Australia’s expert clinicians, Dr Peter Silberberg, Dr Rebecca Moore, and Dr Hilton Koppe, explore the practical recognition, assessment, and management of people presenting with possible impaired cognition. Show Notes  Dementia Training Australia – General Practitioners Hub -  https://dta.com.au/general-practitioners/ RACGP Quick Log for GP CPD- https://mycpd.racgp.org.au/log   See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this episode we hear from Mardi, who was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s Disease a few years ago, Mardi talks about her symptoms, diagnosis and how she approached and continues to approach a life living with Alzheimer’s disease. We very much appreciate Mardi being involved in our podcast. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this episode Hilton Koppe talks to Suraj Samtani a researcher from the centre for healthy brain ageing, about social isolation and loneliness. We learn that reducing the impact of these factors can have the same benefit as stopping smoking on our health. Suraj talks and inspires us all to think about interactions with each other and how even the simplest of interactions may be reducing the impact of social isolation. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this episode, Steph talks to Rowena Mobbs - a cognitive neurologist with a special interest in CTE and concussion, something that has been gaining interest in mainstream media and research. She talks about the theory and impact that multiple micro traumatic head injuries can have on the brain and what we can do to identify people who may have CTE, as well as talking about strategies for risk reduction. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this episode Hilton talks to Paul Yates, Associate Professor and geriatrician and researcher from the National Ageing Research Institute (NARI) and Austin Health. Paul describes the landscape of Alzheimer’s research in relation to biomarkers for Alzheimer’s Disease and the use of this to assist with treatments that may be available in the future. Paul talks about some of the limitations and challenges that are facing the implementation of new treatments. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this episode Steph talks to Madeline Healy a geriatrician from Melbourne who received a Churchill Fellowship to travel internationally and research the services for people living with dementia who also have Down syndrome. Down syndrome is associated with a significant risk of Alzheimer’s disease and there are limited specialist services for this population in Australia. Madeline talks about some of the approaches for supporting both people with Down Syndrome and Intellectual Disability and how we can learn from international examples of care. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this episode Hilton interviews Mark Yates a Geriatrician from Ballarat. Mark introduces some simple principles to use when assessing capacity particularly in relation to the person living with dementia. He talks about the URUC model, which stands for understanding, retain, utilise and communicate information for which they are being assessed.  Mark is able to break down what can be a very complex and challenging process for medical professionals into simpler terms that can be easily applied. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Join Dr Stephanie Daly and her GP colleagues, Drs Hilton Koppe and Rebecca Moore for a fascinating exploration into dementia risk reduction. In light of the 2024 Lancet Commission Report in which it was announced that approximately 45 percent of dementia is attributable to modifiable risk, there are several simple lifestyle modifications which people can institute which may help mitigate their risk of developing dementia. Resources: Livingston, G., Huntley, J., Liu, K. Y., Costafreda, S. G., Selbæk, G., Alladi, S., Ames, D., Banerjee, S., Burns, A., Brayne, C., Fox, N. C., Ferri, C. P., Gitlin, L. N., Howard, R., Kales, H. C., Kivimäki, M., Larson, E. B., Nakasujja, N., Rockwood, K., Samus, Q., … Mukadam, N. (2024). Dementia prevention, intervention, and care: 2024 report of the Lancet standing Commission. Lancet (London, England), 404(10452), 572–628. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0140-6736(24)01296-0   The CogD risk is an online tool available to everyone. It determines areas of strength and challenge in terms of dementia risk and individualised suggestions of ways to attenuate risk. There are also factsheets for GPs to provide patients about diet, exercise and vascular risk. Cognitive Health and Dementia Risk Assessment Fact Sheets for General Practitioners – Cognitive Health and Dementia Risk Assessment   CPD (RP & MO) Reflect on the way in which you currently perform your 45 to 49 year old health checks. Following this podcast, is there anything in your practice that you intend to change? How might you incorporate a discussion about brain health during the 45-49 year old health check? Identify three upcoming patients for whom a 45 to 49 year old health check would be appropriate. Recommend they complete the Cog-D risk online tool prior to their appointment. This time, perform your usual 45 to 49 year old check but incorporate a discussion about brain health and go over their Cog-D risk results. In addition to vascular risk, consider factors including mental health and social isolation, hearing and vision loss and head injury.   How did you find the experience? How do you think the patients responded? Do you plan to frame your 45 to 49 year old health checks like this in the future. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.