Explore every episode of the podcast The Brain Trust

In today's episode, hosts Dr. Raj Shah and Dr. Eukesh Ranjit revisit foundational lessons on Alzheimer's diagnosis, stressing the importance of practical techniques and understanding the critical role of office staff and caregivers in recognizing early signs.  Primary Care physicians gain insights into evaluating cognitive issues, medication lists, mood, and essential diagnostic tests.
Hosts: Raj Shah, MD. Professor, Family & Preventive Medicine and the Rush Alzheimer’s Disease Center at Rush University and
Eukesh Ranjit, MD, Assistant Professor of Family Medicine and Director, Division of Geriatric Medicine at SIU Center for Family Medicine in Springfield, IL
Learning Objectives:
(1) Provide one key lesson learned about ADRD early diagnosis and detection in primary care from the Brain Trust series.
(2) Provide one potential future development that may alter early diagnosis and detection in primary care.
Podcast hosts delve deep into the invaluable community support systems that play a pivotal role in dementia care, particularly in diverse and rural communities. Discover how family involvement, daily activities, and multidisciplinary team efforts can transform the journey of dementia patients.  Learn from our experts about the necessity of early conversations and how community partnerships and upcoming innovations can enhance patient outcomes. Join us for an episode filled with actionable insights and compassionate care strategies for a growing and urgent healthcare need.
This CME activity will meet the State of Illinois Continuing Medical Education Requirements for Physician License Renewal for Recognizing Dementia. Every licensed healthcare professional has direct patient interaction with adults age 26 and above must take one hour of training on the diagnosis, treatment, and care of individuals with Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias.
Accreditation
The Illinois Academy of Family Physicians is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education to provide continuing medical education for physicians.
 AMA PRA Category 1 – The Illinois Academy of Family Physicians designates each Online enduring material for a maximum of 0.50 AMA PRA Category 1 credit™

Visit The Brain Trust project to claim CME credit for this podcast, listen to other episodes, and view the toolkit for resources on managing Alzheimer’s and other related dementia’s in your practice. 

In today’s episode host Raj Shah, MD is joined by Susan Frick, MSW, LSW, Social Worker, Rush Alzheimer’s Disease Center, to talk with caregiver Jeanne as she shares her heartrending experience recognizing her husband John's early signs of Alzheimer's. Jeanne talks about profound changes to simple tasks, like dressing and driving, when faced with this disease. We walk through the emotions of detection and diagnosis, highlighting the indispensable role of primary care doctors and the essential support needed for care partners like Jeanne. This is the fifth episode in The Brain Trust Caregiver Miniseries which addresses issues faced by caregivers dealing with the cognitive decline of their loved ones.
Learning Objectives:
•Identify one challenge care partners experience in seeking a primary care evaluation.
•Describe one desire from care partners regarding improving early diagnosis and detection.
Host: Raj Shah, MD. Professor, Family & Preventive Medicine and the Rush Alzheimer’s Disease Center at Rush University
Guests: Susan Frick, MSW, LSW, Social Worker, Rush Alzheimer’s Disease Center.
Jeanne, caregiver

This CME activity will meet the State of Illinois Continuing Medical Education Requirements for Physician License Renewal for Recognizing Dementia. Every licensed healthcare professional has direct patient interaction with adults age 26 and above must take one hour of training on the diagnosis, treatment, and care of individuals with Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias.
Accreditation
The Illinois Academy of Family Physicians (IAFP) is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME) to provide continuing medical education for physicians.
 AMA PRA Category 1 – The Illinois Academy of Family Physicians designates each Online enduring material for a maximum of 0.50 AMA PRA Category 1 credit™
Claim CME credit by completing the posttest, evaluation & credit claim here.

Visit The Brain Trust project to claim CME credit for this podcast, listen to other episodes, and view the toolkit for resources on managing Alzheimer’s and other related dementia’s in your practice. 

When your world revolves around the delicate balance of caring for a loved one with Alzheimer's, each day can bring a torrent of emotions and challenges. That's the reality James Litchfield faced when his father, Buddy, was diagnosed with early-onset Alzheimer's.  Host Dr. Raj Shah and Susan Frick from the Rush Alzheimer's Disease Center talk about the early warning signs, the gripping fear when Buddy got lost while driving, and the struggle of managing care from a distance. James's candid narrative is a familiar story for primary care clinicians and caregivers alike, highlighting the critical role of early detection and compassionate, comprehensive healthcare support.

As James recounts the transition to a new care team in Illinois, we uncover the emotional toll and life-altering effects of caregiving take center stage as we acknowledge the support systems that are needed to weather this storm. Through James's eyes, we learn the invaluable lessons that emerge from the struggle, the resilience built from hardship, and the shared humanity that binds us in times of need.
Learning Objectives:
•Identify one challenge care partners experience in seeking a primary care evaluation.
•Describe one desire from care partners regarding improving early diagnosis and detection.
Host: Raj Shah, MD. Professor, Family & Preventive Medicine and the Rush Alzheimer’s Disease Center at Rush University
Guests: Susan Frick, MSW, LSW, Social Worker, Rush Alzheimer’s Disease Center.
James, caregiver

This CME activity will meet the State of Illinois Continuing Medical Education Requirements for Physician License Renewal for Recognizing Dementia. Every licensed healthcare professional has direct patient interaction with adults age 26 and above must take one hour of training on the diagnosis, treatment, and care of individuals with Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias.
Accreditation
The Illinois Academy of Family Physicians (IAFP) is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME) to provide continuing medical education for physicians.
 AMA PRA Category 1 – The Illinois Academy of Family Physicians designates each Online enduring material for a maximum of 0.50 AMA PRA Category 1 credit™
Claim CME credit by completing the posttest, evaluation & credit claim here.

Visit The Brain Trust project to claim CME credit for this podcast, listen to other episodes, and view the toolkit for resources on managing Alzheimer’s and other related dementia’s in your practice. 

When Leslie first noticed her husband Phil's memory lapses and moments of disorientation, little did she know that these were signs of younger-onset Alzheimer's disease. In our heartfelt discussion with Leslie, Dr. Raj Shah and social worker Susan Frick, traverse the intricate realities of early signs of Alzheimer's. Leslie discusses the day-to-day changes and the uphill battle in convincing even those closest to her of the gravity of Phil's condition.
Leslie recounts the emotional whirlwind surrounding the diagnosis of dementia. She sheds light on the initial denial, the pivotal moments that necessitated medical advice, and a cognitive test that confirmed the issues Phil was experiencing. This episode not only resonates with the experiences of countless families worldwide, but it also emphasizes the importance of support systems for caregivers and the urgent need for more empathetic healthcare support. Join us as we share Leslie's story, a testament to the resilience of those who care for loved ones with dementia, and an eye-opening look at the critical importance of early detection and understanding.
Learning Objectives:
•Identify one challenge care partners experience in seeking a primary care evaluation.
•Describe one desire from care partners regarding improving early diagnosis and detection.
Host: Raj Shah, MD. Professor, Family & Preventive Medicine and the Rush Alzheimer’s Disease Center at Rush University
Guests: Susan Frick, MSW, LSW, Social Worker, Rush Alzheimer’s Disease Center.
Leslie, caregiver

This CME activity will meet the State of Illinois Continuing Medical Education Requirements for Physician License Renewal for Recognizing Dementia. Every licensed healthcare professional has direct patient interaction with adults age 26 and above must take one hour of training on the diagnosis, treatment, and care of individuals with Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias.
Accreditation
The Illinois Academy of Family Physicians (IAFP) is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME) to provide continuing medical education for physicians.
 AMA PRA Category 1 – The Illinois Academy of Family Physicians designates each Online enduring material for a maximum of 0.50 AMA PRA Category 1 credit™
Claim CME credit by completing the posttest, evaluation & credit claim here.

Visit The Brain Trust project to claim CME credit for this podcast, listen to other episodes, and view the toolkit for resources on managing Alzheimer’s and other related dementia’s in your practice. 

When Donna's husband, Scott, began showing signs of young-onset Alzheimer's, their world turned upside down. Their story, shared with raw honesty in our latest podcast episode, brings to light the harsh reality of seeking an accurate diagnosis for Alzheimer's, particularly in younger individuals. Their journey through a maze of dismissive attitudes and misdiagnoses is a testament to the struggle that many face in the face of this daunting disease. Alongside hosts Dr. Raj Shah and Susan Frick of the Rush Alzheimer's Center, we gain a perspective on the emotional and systemic hurdles in rural caregiving, and the profound difference that a supportive community can make.

This episode not only traverses the path of recognition and acceptance of Alzheimer's but also delves into the aftermath of caregiving—a topic too often overlooked. Her reflections on the value of hospice care and the integrated team approach needed in primary care resonate with anyone who has faced, or is facing, a similar battle. Join us as we honor the journey of caregivers like Donna and uncover the unwavering strength it takes to navigate the challenges of Alzheimer's disease and related dementias.
Learning Objectives:
•Identify one challenge care partners experience in seeking a primary care evaluation.
•Describe one desire from care partners regarding improving early diagnosis and detection.
Host: Raj Shah, MD. Professor, Family & Preventive Medicine and the Rush Alzheimer’s Disease Center at Rush University
Guests: Susan Frick, MSW, LSW, Social Worker, Rush Alzheimer’s Disease Center.
Donna, caregiver

This CME activity will meet the State of Illinois Continuing Medical Education Requirements for Physician License Renewal for Recognizing Dementia. Every licensed healthcare professional has direct patient interaction with adults age 26 and above must take one hour of training on the diagnosis, treatment, and care of individuals with Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias.
Accreditation
The Illinois Academy of Family Physicians (IAFP) is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME) to provide continuing medical education for physicians.
 AMA PRA Category 1 – The Illinois Academy of Family Physicians designates each Online enduring material for a maximum of 0.50 AMA PRA Category 1 credit™
Claim CME credit by completing the posttest, evaluation & credit claim here.

Visit The Brain Trust project to claim CME credit for this podcast, listen to other episodes, and view the toolkit for resources on managing Alzheimer’s and other related dementia’s in your practice. 

The Brain Trust Caregiver Mini-Series brings you into the quiet strength of Alzheimer's/Dementia care partners, as Dr. Raj Shah and social worker Susan Frick from the Rush Alzheimer's Disease Center guide us through the delicate tapestry of caregiving. When the familiar fabric of life begins to unravel with the onset of Alzheimer's, it falls on the shoulders of caregivers like Katrina Miller to reweave a sense of normalcy. Ms. Miller grants us access to her world, sharing the profound challenges and unexpected joys found in her role as her husband's caregiver.
This mini-series addresses issues faced by caregivers dealing with the cognitive decline of their loved ones. The discussion centers on diagnosis, management, and the crucial role a primary care physician plays to enable an integrated approach of support for care partners of patients with ADRD. 

Learning Objectives:
•Identify one challenge caregivers experience in seeking a primary care evaluation.
•Describe one desire from care partners regarding improving early diagnosis and detection.

Host: Raj Shah, MD. Professor, Family & Preventive Medicine and the Rush Alzheimer’s Disease Center at Rush University
Guests: Susan Frick, MSW, LSW, Social Worker, Rush Alzheimer’s Disease Center.
Katrina Miller, caregiver

This CME activity will meet the State of Illinois Continuing Medical Education Requirements for Physician License Renewal for Recognizing Dementia. Every licensed healthcare professional has direct patient interaction with adults age 26 and above must take one hour of training on the diagnosis, treatment, and care of individuals with Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias.
Accreditation
The Illinois Academy of Family Physicians (IAFP) is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME) to provide continuing medical education for physicians.
 AMA PRA Category 1 – The Illinois Academy of Family Physicians designates each Online enduring material for a maximum of 0.50 AMA PRA Category 1 credit™
Claim CME credit by completing the posttest, evaluation & credit claim here.

Visit The Brain Trust project to claim CME credit for this podcast, listen to other episodes, and view the toolkit for resources on managing Alzheimer’s and other related dementia’s in your practice. 

In our latest Brain Trust podcast episode, Dr. Raj Shah chats with Dr. Tonja Austin, family physician and assistant professor from Rush University. Dr. Austin shares her valuable insights, stemming from her extensive, frontline experience within the African-American community in an area commonly referred to as Illinois Southland. They delve into this community's unique characteristics, barriers they face, and most importantly, the necessity of fostering trust and providing education as key tools for empowerment.

Our conversation navigates through the stories of early diagnosis, shining a light on its vital role in alleviating anxiety and facilitating informed decision-making for patients and their loved ones. We also discuss the unique struggles and resources available for African-American patients in Illinois' Southland region. 

Learning Objectives:
1.Describe one common barrier to early detection and diagnosis of ADRD faced by primary care physicians serving African American communities.
2.Name one way to overcome a barrier to early detection and diagnosis of ADRD

Host: Raj Shah, MD. Professor, Family & Preventive Medicine and the Rush Alzheimer’s Disease Center at Rush University
Guests: Tonja Austin, MD, Assistant Professor, Family & Preventive Medicine, Rush University

This CME activity will meet the State of Illinois Continuing Medical Education Requirements for Physician License Renewal for Recognizing Dementia. Every licensed healthcare professional has direct patient interaction with adults age 26 and above must take one hour of training on the diagnosis, treatment, and care of individuals with Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias.

 Accreditation

The Illinois Academy of Family Physicians (IAFP) is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME) to provide continuing medical education for physicians.

 AMA PRA Category 1 – The Illinois Academy of Family Physicians designates each Online enduring material for a maximum of 0.50 AMA PRA Category 1 credit™

Claim CME credit by completing the posttest, evaluation & credit claim here.

Visit The Brain Trust project to claim CME credit for this podcast, listen to other episodes, and view the toolkit for resources on managing Alzheimer’s and other related dementia’s in your practice. 

Connecting Primary Care Practices with Community Health Workers: Advancing Early Detection and Diagnosis of ADRD. Join hosts Raj Shah, MD  and Eukesh Ranjit, MD as they discuss the importance of connecting Primary Care Practices with Community Health Workers to advance early detection and diagnosis of ADRD.  They chat with Tracey Smith, Director of Community Health at the Illinois Public Health Association, and Angelia Gower, the first VP of the NAACP in Madison, Illinois to discuss the nature of community health workers, their importance in communities with limited resources, and the importance of connecting with primary care physicians.

We talk about potential collaborations with organizations like the Alzheimer's Association and Washington University to bring resources to the community. Tune in as we explore the experience of community-based organizations working with primary care physicians in underserved communities and discuss how community health workers can partner with local family medicine physicians to improve early detection of ADRD.

Learning Objectives:

1.     Describe two ways to incorporate CHWs into primary care practices in health systems

2.     Discuss barriers that systems must address to integrate CHWs

The Brain Trust is a project administered by the Illinois Academy of Family Physicians. Funding for this website made possible by a grant from the Illinois Department of Public Health.

Visit The Brain Trust project to claim CME credit for this podcast, listen to other episodes, and view the toolkit for resources on managing Alzheimer’s and other related dementia’s in your practice. 

Special episode with Dare To Care radio show connecting social workers, community members and primary care physicians on the importance of efforts being made across the state in the early detection and treatment of Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias. We invite you into the world of the Dare to Care program and the Brain Trust initiative this episode. Join our hosts and guest as they offer profound insights into health literacy, dementia management, and how connections with community and social workers can enhance the efforts in primary care.

Learning Objectives:
•Describe how primary care physicians can work with the Dare To Care audience to promote early detection
•Identify prevalence of Alzheimer’s disease within communities within Illinois and the importance of education about the benefits of early detection 

Hosts:  Raj Shah, MD - Professor, Family & Preventive Medicine at the Rush Alzheimer’s Disease Center at Rush University and
Eukesh Ranjit, MD, Assistant Professor of Family Medicine and Director, Division of Geriatric Medicine at SIU Center for Family Medicine in Springfield, IL
Guest: Elaine T. Jurkowski, PH.D, M.S.W., Graduate Program Director and Professor Social Work, College Of Health and Human Sciences at Southern Illinois University

Let's embark on this journey to uncover the road towards better dementia care. This conversation is your ticket to understanding the importance of early diagnosis and connecting patients and care givers to resources and new treatments.

This CME activity will meet the  State of Illinois Continuing Medical Education Requirements for Physician License Renewal for Recognizing Dementia. Every licensed healthcare professional who has direct patient interaction with adults age 26 and above must take one hour of training on the diagnosis, treatment, and care of individuals with Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias.

Accreditation
The Illinois Academy of Family Physicians (IAFP) is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME) to provide continuing medical education for physicians.
AMA PRA Category 1 – The Illinois Academy of Family Physicians designates each Online enduring material for a maximum of 0.50 AMA PRA Category 1 credit™
Healthcare practitioners other than physicians (PAs, NPs) will be issued a certificate of participation to submit to their respective boards to be used toward their continuing education requirements.

Visit www.thebraintrustproject.com for more information

Visit The Brain Trust project to claim CME credit for this podcast, listen to other episodes, and view the toolkit for resources on managing Alzheimer’s and other related dementia’s in your practice. 

In today’s episode host Raj Shah, MD chats with Avinash Mantha, MD, Associate Program Director at Loyola Hines VA Geriatric Fellowship, to discuss the adaptations primary care will need to make with the introduction of new ADRD treatment modalities.

Learning Objectives:
•Describe one reason why current processes for early ADRD diagnosis will have to change.
•Identify one action primary care physicians can take to support their patients concerned about cognitive changes go through the process of evaluation. 

Host:  Raj Shah, MD - Professor, Family & Preventive Medicine at the Rush Alzheimer’s Disease Center at Rush University
Guest: Avinash Mantha, MD, Associate Program Director, Loyola Hines Geriatric Fellowship

This CME activity will meet the  State of Illinois Continuing Medical Education Requirements for Physician License Renewal for Recognizing Dementia. Every licensed healthcare professional who has direct patient interaction with adults age 26 and above must take one hour of training on the diagnosis, treatment, and care of individuals with Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias.

Accreditation
The Illinois Academy of Family Physicians (IAFP) is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME) to provide continuing medical education for physicians.
AMA PRA Category 1 – The Illinois Academy of Family Physicians designates each Online enduring material for a maximum of 0.50 AMA PRA Category 1 credit™
Healthcare practitioners other than physicians (PAs, NPs) will be issued a certificate of participation to submit to their respective boards to be used toward their continuing education requirements.

Visit www.thebraintrustproject.com for more information

Visit The Brain Trust project to claim CME credit for this podcast, listen to other episodes, and view the toolkit for resources on managing Alzheimer’s and other related dementia’s in your practice. 

Discussion on ways physicians can improve early detection of Alzheimer’s disease by leveraging caregiver support

Learning Objectives:

• Identify opportunities to guide caregivers and families of persons with dementia to appropriate care and support resources.
• Describe the ways a Care Consultation can be beneficial to families dealing with Alzheimer’s or other dementias.

Host:  Raj Shah, MD - Professor, Family & Preventive Medicine at the Rush Alzheimer’s Disease Center at Rush University
Guests: Mark Drexler, MD, FAAFP. Lead Physician, for the Comprehensive Care Center at NorthShore University and Faculty at the University of Chicago Family Medicine Residency 
Gene Kuhn, Sr. Health System Account Manager at the Alzheimer's Association

This CME activity will meet the  State of Illinois Continuing Medical Education Requirements for Physician License Renewal for Recognizing Dementia. Every licensed healthcare professional who has direct patient interaction with adults age 26 and above must take one hour of training on the diagnosis, treatment, and care of individuals with Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias.

Accreditation
The Illinois Academy of Family Physicians (IAFP) is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME) to provide continuing medical education for physicians.
AMA PRA Category 1 – The Illinois Academy of Family Physicians designates each Online enduring material for a maximum of 0.50 AMA PRA Category 1 credit™
Healthcare practitioners other than physicians (PAs, NPs) will be issued a certificate of participation to submit to their respective boards to be used toward their continuing education requirements.

Visit www.thebraintrustproject.com for more information

Visit The Brain Trust project to claim CME credit for this podcast, listen to other episodes, and view the toolkit for resources on managing Alzheimer’s and other related dementia’s in your practice. 

Leveraging Health IT and your Electronic Health Record (EHR) for managing and detecting patients at risk for Alzheimer’s Disease and Related Dementias.

Learning Objectives:

• Describe tools that can be used to screen for dementia, discreetly stored within the EHR and tracked over time.
• Discuss future directions and the use of AI for the early detection of ADRD.

Host:  Raj Shah, MD - Professor, Family & Preventive Medicine at the Rush Alzheimer’s Disease Center at Rush University
Guests: Karl Kochendorfer, MD, FAAFP, FAMIA - Assistant Vice Chancellor for Health Affairs Chief Health Information Officer Associate Chief Medical Officer Associate Professor of Clinical Family and Community Medicine University of Illinois Hospital & Health Sciences System (UI Health)
Ravishankar K. Iyer, PhD - George and Ann Fisher Distinguished Professor of Engineering and Professor of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science at University of Illinois Urbana Champaign, Affiliate faculty at Mayo Clinic and Carle College of Medicine

This CME activity will meet the  State of Illinois Continuing Medical Education Requirements for Physician License Renewal for Recognizing Dementia. Every licensed healthcare professional who has direct patient interaction with adults age 26 and above must take one hour of training on the diagnosis, treatment, and care of individuals with Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias.

Accreditation
The Illinois Academy of Family Physicians (IAFP) is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME) to provide continuing medical education for physicians.
AMA PRA Category 1 – The Illinois Academy of Family Physicians designates each Online enduring material for a maximum of 0.50 AMA PRA Category 1 credit™
Healthcare practitioners other than physicians (PAs, NPs) will be issued a certificate of participation to submit to their respective boards to be used toward their continuing education requirements.

Visit www.thebraintrustproject.com for more information

Visit The Brain Trust project to claim CME credit for this podcast, listen to other episodes, and view the toolkit for resources on managing Alzheimer’s and other related dementia’s in your practice. 

In today’s episode host Raj Shah, MD chats with Evelyn Figueroa, MD to discuss ways family physicians can improve early detection of Alzheimer’s disease in their Latino patients.

Learning Objectives:

• Describe specific challenges affecting the Latino communities that exacerbate the burden of Alzheimer’s disease.
• Name one way family physicians can create a supportive environment for early detection of Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias in their Latino patients.

Host:  Raj Shah, MD - Professor, Family & Preventive Medicine at the Rush Alzheimer’s Disease Center at Rush University
Guest: Evelyn Figueroa, MD - Professor of Clinical Family and Community Medicine;  
Director of Community Engagement, Department of Family & Community Medicine- University of Illinois at Chicago College of Medicine; President, UI Health Medical Staff Office; Director, Pilsen Food Pantry

This CME activity will meet the  State of Illinois Continuing Medical Education Requirements for Physician License Renewal for Recognizing Dementia. Every licensed healthcare professional who has direct patient interaction with adults age 26 and above must take one hour of training on the diagnosis, treatment, and care of individuals with Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias.

Accreditation
The Illinois Academy of Family Physicians (IAFP) is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME) to provide continuing medical education for physicians.
AMA PRA Category 1 – The Illinois Academy of Family Physicians designates each Online enduring material for a maximum of 0.50 AMA PRA Category 1 credit™
Healthcare practitioners other than physicians (PAs, NPs) will be issued a certificate of participation to submit to their respective boards to be used toward their continuing education requirements.

Visit www.thebraintrustproject.com for more information

Visit The Brain Trust project to claim CME credit for this podcast, listen to other episodes, and view the toolkit for resources on managing Alzheimer’s and other related dementia’s in your practice.

Visit The Brain Trust project to claim CME credit for this podcast, listen to other episodes, and view the toolkit for resources on managing Alzheimer’s and other related dementia’s in your practice. 

In today’s episode host Eukesh Ranjit, MD talks with Denise Feil, MD, MPH Director of Geriatric Psychiatry Training and Education at Greater Los Angeles VA Healthcare Center, about distinguishing differences of early signs, symptoms, and behaviors in neurocognitive disorders.

Learning Objectives:

• Describe early signs and symptoms of a neurocognitive disorder
• Describe the degenerative cognitive syndromes which can manifest with behavioral changes 

Host:  Eukesh Ranjit, MD - Assistant Professor of Family Medicine and Director, Division of Geriatric Medicine at SIU Center for Family Medicine in Springfield, IL
Guest: Denise Feil, MD, MPH - Director of Geriatric Psychiatry Training and Education- Greater Los Angeles VA Healthcare Center, Health Sciences Clinical Professor, UCLA; Program Director, UCLA Geriatric Psychiatry Fellowship - David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA

This CME activity will meet the  State of Illinois Continuing Medical Education Requirements for Physician License Renewal for Recognizing Dementia. Every licensed healthcare professional who has direct patient interaction with adults age 26 and above must take one hour of training on the diagnosis, treatment, and care of individuals with Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias.

Accreditation
The Illinois Academy of Family Physicians (IAFP) is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME) to provide continuing medical education for physicians.
AMA PRA Category 1 – The Illinois Academy of Family Physicians designates each Online enduring material for a maximum of 0.50 AMA PRA Category 1 credit™
Healthcare practitioners other than physicians (PAs, NPs) will be issued a certificate of participation to submit to their respective boards to be used toward their continuing education requirements.

Visit www.thebraintrustproject.com for more information

Visit The Brain Trust project to claim CME credit for this podcast, listen to other episodes, and view the toolkit for resources on managing Alzheimer’s and other related dementia’s in your practice. 

In today’s episode host Raj Shah, MD chats with Avinash Mantha, MD, Associate Program Director at Loyola Hines VA Geriatric Fellowship, to discuss early detection of dementia in veteran populations.

Learning Objectives:

• Describe three potentially reverse causes of early dementia
• Describe the VA's multidisciplinary and collaborative care approach with regards to dementia care
• Describe dementia risk factors which may be specific to veterans or exacerbated in veteran populations

Host:  Raj Shah, MD - Professor, Family & Preventive Medicine at the Rush Alzheimer’s Disease Center at Rush University
Guest: Avinash Mantha, MD, Associate Program Director, Loyola Hines Geriatric Fellowship

This CME activity will meet the  State of Illinois Continuing Medical Education Requirements for Physician License Renewal for Recognizing Dementia. Every licensed healthcare professional who has direct patient interaction with adults age 26 and above must take one hour of training on the diagnosis, treatment, and care of individuals with Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias.

Accreditation
The Illinois Academy of Family Physicians (IAFP) is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME) to provide continuing medical education for physicians.
AMA PRA Category 1 – The Illinois Academy of Family Physicians designates each Online enduring material for a maximum of 0.50 AMA PRA Category 1 credit™
Healthcare practitioners other than physicians (PAs, NPs) will be issued a certificate of participation to submit to their respective boards to be used toward their continuing education requirements.

Visit www.thebraintrustproject.com for more information

Visit The Brain Trust project to claim CME credit for this podcast, listen to other episodes, and view the toolkit for resources on managing Alzheimer’s and other related dementia’s in your practice.

Visit The Brain Trust project to claim CME credit for this podcast, listen to other episodes, and view the toolkit for resources on managing Alzheimer’s and other related dementia’s in your practice. 

In today’s episode Eukesh Ranjit, MD speaks with guests Sharon Smaga, MD, Heather Knutt, and Becky Salazar to discuss the roles community service agencies can play in assisting physicians in rural areas with early detection.
Learning Objectives:

• Describe benefits of healthcare providers connecting with community service workers around early detection for prompt and accurate diagnosis of dementia
• Describe the practical importance of community resources for early detection
• Identify resources physicians can utilize for improved early detection in their everyday practice.

Host: Eukesh Ranjit, MD Assistant Professor of Family Medicine and Director, Division of Geriatric Medicine at SIU Center for Family Medicine in Springfield, IL
Guests: Sharon Smaga, MD of SIU Family Medicine Carbondale, Heather Knutt of Shawnee’s Savvy Caregiver and Family Caregiver Program, and Becky Salazar with the Egyptian Area Agency on Aging.

This CME activity will meet the  State of Illinois Continuing Medical Education Requirements for Physician License Renewal for Recognizing Dementia. Every licensed healthcare professional who has direct patient interaction with adults age 26 and above must take one hour of training on the diagnosis, treatment, and care of individuals with Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias.

Accreditation

The Illinois Academy of Family Physicians (IAFP) is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME) to provide continuing medical education for physicians.

AMA PRA Category 1 – The Illinois Academy of Family Physicians designates each Online enduring material for a maximum of 0.50 AMA PRA Category 1 credit™

Healthcare practitioners other than physicians (PAs, NPs) will be issued a certificate of participation to submit to their respective boards to be used toward their continuing education requirements.

Visit www.thebraintrustproject.com for more information

Visit The Brain Trust project to claim CME credit for this podcast, listen to other episodes, and view the toolkit for resources on managing Alzheimer’s and other related dementia’s in your practice.

Visit The Brain Trust project to claim CME credit for this podcast, listen to other episodes, and view the toolkit for resources on managing Alzheimer’s and other related dementia’s in your practice.

Visit The Brain Trust project to claim CME credit for this podcast, listen to other episodes, and view the toolkit for resources on managing Alzheimer’s and other related dementia’s in your practice.

Visit The Brain Trust project to claim CME credit for this podcast, listen to other episodes, and view the toolkit for resources on managing Alzheimer’s and other related dementia’s in your practice.

Visit The Brain Trust project to claim CME credit for this podcast, listen to other episodes, and view the toolkit for resources on managing Alzheimer’s and other related dementia’s in your practice.

Visit The Brain Trust project to claim CME credit for this podcast, listen to other episodes, and view the toolkit for resources on managing Alzheimer’s and other related dementia’s in your practice. 

In today’s episode Raj Shah, MD speaks with guest Emma Daisy, MD to discuss the roles Illinois physicians working in Federally Qualified Health Centers can play in the early detection and diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias

Learning Objectives:

• Understand the roles Illinois physicians working in Federally Qualified Health Centers can play in the early detection and diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias.
• Name at least one potential solution to overcome barriers to early detection and diagnosis of ADRD by primary care physicians working in FQHCs.

Host:  Raj Shah, MD - Professor, Family & Preventive Medicine at the Rush Alzheimer’s Disease Center at Rush University

Guest:  Emma Daisy, MD -  Family Physician and Geriatrician, Tapestry 360 Health, Chicago IL.   President Elect of the Illinois Academy of Family Physicians.

 This CME activity will meet the  State of Illinois Continuing Medical Education Requirements for Physician License Renewal for Recognizing Dementia. Every licensed healthcare professional who has direct patient interaction with adults age 26 and above must take one hour of training on the diagnosis, treatment, and care of individuals with Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias.

Accreditation

The Illinois Academy of Family Physicians (IAFP) is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME) to provide continuing medical education for physicians.

AMA PRA Category 1 – The Illinois Academy of Family Physicians designates each Online enduring material for a maximum of 0.50 AMA PRA Category 1 credit™

Healthcare practitioners other than physicians (PAs, NPs) will be issued a certificate of participation to submit to their respective boards to be used toward their continuing education requirements.

Visit www.thebraintrustproject.com for more information

Visit The Brain Trust project to claim CME credit for this podcast, listen to other episodes, and view the toolkit for resources on managing Alzheimer’s and other related dementia’s in your practice.

Visit The Brain Trust project to claim CME credit for this podcast, listen to other episodes, and view the toolkit for resources on managing Alzheimer’s and other related dementia’s in your practice.

Visit The Brain Trust project to claim CME credit for this podcast, listen to other episodes, and view the toolkit for resources on managing Alzheimer’s and other related dementia’s in your practice.

Visit The Brain Trust project to claim CME credit for this podcast, listen to other episodes, and view the toolkit for resources on managing Alzheimer’s and other related dementia’s in your practice.

Visit The Brain Trust project to claim CME credit for this podcast, listen to other episodes, and view the toolkit for resources on managing Alzheimer’s and other related dementia’s in your practice. 

In today’s episode we will be discussing ways family physicians can improve early detection of Alzheimer’s disease in their African Americans patients.

Learning Objectives:

(1)   Describe one barrier to greater early detection of Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias faced by African American patients.

(2)   Describe ways family physicians can improve early detection of Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias in their African American patient populations.

Host: Raj Shah, MD - Professor, Family & Preventive Medicine at the Rush Alzheimer’s Disease Center at Rush University
 
Guest:  Scott Levin, MD - Program Director, Family Medicine Residency Program and Medical Staff President at West Suburban Medical Center

This CME activities will meet the  State of Illinois Continuing Medical Education Requirements for Physician License Renewal for Recognizing Dementia. Every licensed healthcare professional who has direct patient interaction with adults age 26 and above must take one hour of training on the diagnosis, treatment, and care of individuals with Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias.

Accreditation

The Illinois Academy of Family Physicians (IAFP) is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME) to provide continuing medical education for physicians.

AMA PRA Category 1 – The Illinois Academy of Family Physicians designates each Online enduring material for a maximum of 0.50 AMA PRA Category 1 credit™

Healthcare practitioners other than physicians (PAs, NPs) will be issued a certificate of participation to submit to their respective boards to be used toward their continuing education requirements.

Visit www.thebraintrustproject.com for more information

Visit The Brain Trust project to claim CME credit for this podcast, listen to other episodes, and view the toolkit for resources on managing Alzheimer’s and other related dementia’s in your practice.

Visit The Brain Trust project to claim CME credit for this podcast, listen to other episodes, and view the toolkit for resources on managing Alzheimer’s and other related dementia’s in your practice.

Visit The Brain Trust project to claim CME credit for this podcast, listen to other episodes, and view the toolkit for resources on managing Alzheimer’s and other related dementia’s in your practice.

Visit The Brain Trust project to claim CME credit for this podcast, listen to other episodes, and view the toolkit for resources on managing Alzheimer’s and other related dementia’s in your practice. 

 In today's episode, Eukesh Ranjit, MD talks with  Sharon Smaga, MD about the unique challenges faced by providers serving in rural patient populations. They discuss the barriers, solutions and provide successful tips on how to improve early diagnosis clinic practices in rural communities. 

Learning Objectives:

1 - Describe barriers to early detection of Alzheimer’s Disease and related dementias in rural communities

2 - Name ways family physicians can create a supportive environment for early detection of Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias for patients living in rural communities
 
Host: 

Dr. Eukesh Ranjit, MD, Assistant Professor of Family Medicine and Director, Division of Geriatric Medicine at SIU Center for Family Medicine in Springfield, IL

Guest:
Sharon Smaga, MD, SIU Family Medicine Carbondale

This CME activities will meet the  State of Illinois Continuing Medical Education Requirements for Physician License Renewal for Recognizing Dementia. Every licensed healthcare professional who has direct patient interaction with adults age 26 and above must take one hour of training on the diagnosis, treatment, and care of individuals with Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias.

Accreditation

The Illinois Academy of Family Physicians (IAFP) is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME) to provide continuing medical education for physicians.

AMA PRA Category 1 – The Illinois Academy of Family Physicians designates each Online enduring material for a maximum of 0.50 AMA PRA Category 1 credit™

Healthcare practitioners other than physicians (PAs, NPs) will be issued a certificate of participation to submit to their respective boards to be used toward their continuing education requirements.

Visit www.thebraintrustproject.com for more information

Visit The Brain Trust project to claim CME credit for this podcast, listen to other episodes, and view the toolkit for resources on managing Alzheimer’s and other related dementia’s in your practice.

Visit The Brain Trust project to claim CME credit for this podcast, listen to other episodes, and view the toolkit for resources on managing Alzheimer’s and other related dementia’s in your practice.

Visit The Brain Trust project to claim CME credit for this podcast, listen to other episodes, and view the toolkit for resources on managing Alzheimer’s and other related dementia’s in your practice. 

In today’s episode we will discuss barriers and solutions for family physicians in health systems regarding the early detection, diagnosis and management of Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias

 Learning Objectives:

(1)   Describe one barrier to greater early detection of Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias in health systems

(2)   Name one solution health systems can provide their family physicians to advance early detection, diagnosis, and management of Alzheimer’s disease

Host: 
Raj Shah, MD - Professor, Family & Preventive Medicine, and the Rush Alzheimer’s Disease Center at Rush University 

Guest:

John Brill, MD, MPH - VP Population Sciences and Research for Advocate Aurora Health Milwaukee, Wisconsin

This CME activities will meet the  State of Illinois Continuing Medical Education Requirements for Physician License Renewal for Recognizing Dementia. Every licensed healthcare professional who has direct patient interaction with adults age 26 and above must take one hour of training on the diagnosis, treatment, and care of individuals with Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias.

Accreditation

The Illinois Academy of Family Physicians (IAFP) is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME) to provide continuing medical education for physicians.

AMA PRA Category 1 – The Illinois Academy of Family Physicians designates each Online enduring material for a maximum of 0.50 AMA PRA Category 1 credit™

Healthcare practitioners other than physicians (PAs, NPs) will be issued a certificate of participation to submit to their respective boards to be used toward their continuing education requirements.

Visit www.thebraintrustproject.com for more information

Visit The Brain Trust project to claim CME credit for this podcast, listen to other episodes, and view the toolkit for resources on managing Alzheimer’s and other related dementia’s in your practice.

Visit The Brain Trust project to claim CME credit for this podcast, listen to other episodes, and view the toolkit for resources on managing Alzheimer’s and other related dementia’s in your practice. 

Dr. Eukesh Ranjit hosts this episode and talks with Dr. Raj Shah about the larger ecosystem of the Illinois healthcare landscape involving Alzheimer's disease and dementia. Their discussion provides foundational information on available state resources for health care professionals to access and how the Illinois Department of Public Health is working to improve early detection of Alzheimer's disease and related dementias.

Learning Objectives:

(1)             Discuss how dementia care is part of the larger eco system of the Illinois healthcare landscape.

(2)             Name at least two ways the state of Illinois is building a dementia capable state for its population.

Host: 

Dr. Eukesh Ranjit, Assistant Professor of Family Medicine and Director, Division of Geriatric Medicine at SIU Center for Family Medicine in Springfield, IL

Guest:

Dr. Raj Shah, Professor, Family & Preventive Medicine and the Rush Alzheimer’s Disease Center at Rush University

This CME activities will meet the 2023 State of Illinois Continuing Medical Education Requirements for Physician License Renewal for Recognizing Dementia. Every licensed healthcare professional who has direct patient interaction with adults age 26 and above must take one hour of training on the diagnosis, treatment, and care of individuals with Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias.

Accreditation

The Illinois Academy of Family Physicians (IAFP) is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME) to provide continuing medical education for physicians.

AMA PRA Category 1 – The Illinois Academy of Family Physicians designates each Online enduring material for a maximum of 0.50 AMA PRA Category 1 credit™

Healthcare practitioners other than physicians (PAs, NPs) will be issued a certificate of participation to submit to their respective boards to be used toward their continuing education requirements.

Visit www.thebraintrustproject.com for more information

Visit The Brain Trust project to claim CME credit for this podcast, listen to other episodes, and view the toolkit for resources on managing Alzheimer’s and other related dementia’s in your practice. 

Podcast episode 3: Diagnosing, Documenting, & Screening

 Learning Objectives:

(1)             Understand what a dementia is, and the importance of documenting a dementia screening assessment objectively on patient charts.

(2)             Delineate between utilizing diagnostic tools and screening tools in a neurocognitive evaluation.

(3)             Discuss commonly used cognitive screening tools and the pros and cons of these assessments.

 Hosts:

Dr. Raj Shah, Professor, Family & Preventive Medicine and the Rush Alzheimer’s Disease Center at Rush University and Dr. Eukesh Ranjit, Assistant Professor of Family Medicine and Director, Division of Geriatric Medicine at SIU Center for Family Medicine in Springfield, IL

Visit The Brain Trust project to claim CME credit for this podcast, listen to other episodes, and view the toolkit for resources on managing Alzheimer’s and other related dementia’s in your practice. 

Dr. Shah and Dr. Ranjit discuss the differences between the cognitive, functional, and behavioral changes of normal aging and those associated with mild cognitive impairment and dementias.

Learning Objectives:

•        Identify differences between the cognitive, functional, and behavioral changes of normal aging and those associated with mild cognitive impairment and dementias.

•        List the most common types of dementia and identify the prevalence, risk factors, signs and symptoms, and rate of progression of dementia.

•        Recognize other causes of dementia

Visit The Brain Trust project to claim CME credit for this podcast, listen to other episodes, and view the toolkit for resources on managing Alzheimer’s and other related dementia’s in your practice. 

Raj Shah, MD and Tabatha Wells, MD introduce The Brain Trust series and explain, in their own words, the goals and hopes for this series.

Welcome to the Brain Trust, A Physician's Guide to Diagnosing Alzheimer's Disease and Related dementias. Brought to you from the Illinois Academy of Family Physicians. 

Funding for this podcast series was provided by a grant from the Illinois Department of Public Health. 

The goal of the Brain trust in this podcast series is to educate and empower the primary care clinician in the early detection, diagnosis and management of Alzheimer's disease and related dementias.

Clinical resources, free CME and other educational materials are available online at the BrainTrustProject.com. CME Credit is available for each podcast (click here to claim CME Credit). The Illinois Academy of Family Physicians is accredited by the Accreditation Council of Continuing Medical Education to provide continuing medical education for physicians. Information on how to receive credit can be found on the Brain Trust Project website.

Visit The Brain Trust project to claim CME credit for this podcast, listen to other episodes, and view the toolkit for resources on managing Alzheimer’s and other related dementia’s in your practice.