Traditionally, clinicians have relied only on a history and physical examination to diagnose the neurodegenerative disorders of aging - including dementias. Recently, we have developed new biomarkers of disease - neuroimaging technologies as well as sensitive measures of proteins in cerebrospinal fluid and plasma - to assist with screening, diagnosis, prognosis, and evaluation of new treatments. We are increasingly incorporating these new biomarkers into updated diagnostic criteria. These biomarkers also uncovered a new category of individual - at risk, with preclinical disease - who are enrolling in prevention trials.

After the webinar, participants will be able to:

Instruction Level: Intermediate

Target Audience: Neuropsychologist, trainees, other medical professionals caring for older individuals with neurodegenerative diseases and cognitive disorders

Dr. Turner is a tenured Professor in the Department of Neurology and Director of the Memory Disorders Program at Georgetown University, Washington, D.C. He received his doctorate and medical degrees from Emory University, Atlanta, followed by an internship in Internal Medicine, a residency in Neurology, and a Howard Hughes Medical Institute-sponsored fellowship in behavioral and cognitive neurology - all at the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia. Prior to moving to Georgetown University, he was Chief of the Neurology Service at the VA Ann Arbor Healthcare System and a tenured Associate Professor and Associate Chair in the Department of Neurology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor. He is board-certified in psychiatry and neurology. Dr. Turner directs the Memory Disorders Program at the MedStar Georgetown University Hospital. His research is focused on developing new treatments and biomarkers for neurodegenerative dementias of aging, particularly for individuals with Mild Cognitive Impairment and dementia due to Alzheimer’s disease. He has published over 100 peer-reviewed papers, reviews, and book chapters. Dr. Turner is on the steering committee of the Alzheimer’s Therapeutic Research Institute (ATRI), and is a Site PI for the NIH-funded Alzheimer’s Clinical Trials Consortium (ACTC). He also serves as a Site PI for several multi-center, randomized, placebo-controlled trials sponsored by the NIH, industry, or both. For more information on Dr. Turner and the Memory Disorders Program at MedStar Georgetown University Hospital, please see memory.georgetown.edu.