2W: Neuropsychiatric Approach to Neurodegenerative Dementias

School of Medicine

Students must complete the Neurology and Psychiatry clerkship prior to this elective. The overall goal of this elective is to immerse students in the evaluation and treatment of patients with a broad range of cognitive disorders (e.g., Alzheimer's disease), including specialty clinics in FTD, normal pressure hydrocephalus (NPH), Huntington's disease, and geriatric psychiatry. Students will spend time with neurologists, psychiatrists, and neuropsychologists evaluating these patients. The elective will include weekly didactics. Clinical time will be spent in a variety of settings, including outpatient clinics, the inpatient geriatric psychiatry, and/or psychiatry consult- liaison service. Students may also attend the weekly multi-disciplinary FTD conference (Thursdays at noon with lunch), the monthly BNNP conference (third Wednesday at 8 am), neurology grand rounds (Friday 8 am), and psychiatry grand rounds (Friday 12 noon), if the course overlaps with the timing. At the end of the two-week rotation, the student will feel confident in the presentation, examination, diagnosis, and treatment options for patients with neurodegenerative dementing disorders. Students will be expected to demonstrate a focused history and neurologically focused physical exam and cognitive assessment.