Geriatric Psychiatry

Herpes Zoster Vaccination and Dementia Risk

Sat, 02 May 2026 14:11:51 -0400

Could a shingles vaccine lower dementia risk? A natural experiment in Wales—where vaccine eligibility turned on a single birthdate—found a 20% relative reduction in new dementia diagnoses over seven years. It's not proof of causation, but it's the strongest quasi-experimental evidence yet, and one more reason to make the recommendation.

Learning Objectives, ADHD in Older Adults CGPR, April/May/June 2026

Wed, 01 Apr 2026 01:00:00 -0400

After reading these articles, you should be able to…

CME Post-Test, ADHD in Older Adults, CGPR, April/May/June 2026

Wed, 01 Apr 2026 01:00:00 -0400

By successfully completing the test you will be awarded a certificate for 2 CME credits.

How to Deprescribe Benzodiazepines in Older Adults

Wed, 01 Apr 2026 00:00:00 -0400

Learn how to identify good benzodiazepine deprescribing candidates, frame the deprescribing conversation effectively, and design a gradual taper—with adjunctive options for tough withdrawals.

Uncovering ADHD in Late Life

Wed, 01 Apr 2026 00:00:00 -0400

Most older adults with ADHD were never diagnosed, and most clinicians never think to look. Dr. Goodman explains how to confirm childhood onset, untangle ADHD from cognitive decline and mood disorders, and make the case for why identifying this disorder in late life can be genuinely life-changing.

LATE: The Other Common Dementia

Wed, 01 Apr 2026 00:00:00 -0400

Not all gradual memory loss is Alzheimer's disease. Nearly 40% of adults over 80 have LATE, a distinct TDP-43 pathology that mimics AD, progresses more slowly, and won't respond to anti-amyloid therapies. Here's how to recognize it and what to tell families.

Tailoring ADHD Medication for Older Patients

Wed, 01 Apr 2026 00:00:00 -0400

Stimulants aren't off-limits in older adults, but the calculus is different. Dr. Anbarasan explains how to assess cardiovascular risk before prescribing, when nonstimulants make more sense, and how polypharmacy complicates nearly every medication decision in this population.

Irritability: A Missing Clue in Late-Life Depression?

Wed, 01 Apr 2026 00:00:00 -0400

Standard depression screeners don't ask about irritability, but in older adults it's often the more visible symptom. More than half of depressed patients in this study endorsed it, and severity climbed when family noticed it too. One extra question, asked of the right person, may catch what the PHQ-9 misses.

Mediterranean Diet and Depression in Older Women: Fish May Be Driving the Effect

Wed, 01 Apr 2026 00:00:00 -0400

Mediterranean diet adherence was linked to lower odds of depressive symptoms in older women (but not in men). Fish intake appeared to drive much of the effect, with fresh fish twice weekly showing the strongest signal. For patients already asking what they can do, this Italian cohort offers a specific, low-risk place to start.

Ultra-Processed Food Linked to Cognitive Decline and Stroke, Independent of Diet Quality

Wed, 01 Apr 2026 00:00:00 -0400

Telling patients to "eat healthy" may not be specific enough. This large prospective cohort found that each 10% increase in ultra-processed food intake raised cognitive impairment risk by 16% and stroke risk by 8%—independent of Mediterranean, DASH, and MIND diet scores. How food is processed may matter as much as what's on the plate.

Stimulating the Precuneus May Slow Alzheimer’s Decline

Mon, 23 Feb 2026 20:09:54 -0500

Can brain stimulation help preserve function in Alzheimer’s disease? A year-long randomized trial suggests that PC- rTMS modestly slows cognitive and functional decline, offering a potential nonpharmacologic adjunct as clinicians seek alternatives to long-term medication burden.

Donepezil (Aricept, Adlarity) Fact Sheet [G]

Thu, 01 Jan 2026 13:11:35 -0500

Donepezil is the cholinesterase inhibitor with the longest track record and with which we have the most experience. It is generally considered the first-line agent for dementia. Though not a cure, it delays dementia progression by six to 12 months.

Galantamine (Razadyne, Razadyne ER) Fact Sheet [G]

Thu, 01 Jan 2026 13:10:07 -0500

Galantamine has no appreciable benefit over donepezil; however, its availability in a liquid formulation is helpful for patients who have difficulty swallowing pills.

Prescribing Antipsychotics for Neuropsychiatric Symptoms in Dementia