From the Clinical Knowledge Center

Brain Training for Mental Fitness

I’m always on the lookout for interesting topics and intriguing points of view to cover in our Clinical Compass™ newsletters. And this topic surfaced—as such topics often do—in the seemingly most innocent and unlikely of places. I was waiting in the café area of my local Barnes & Noble for the barista to create my skinny soy sugar-free vanilla frappuccino no-whip, when I spotted it: a new display table with a placard stating “Brain Awareness Month”. As I perused the collection of books the store had assembled for the display, I realized that there was a lot of focus on the science of how our brains age and how “exercising” our brains can keep them sharper longer. Here are the juicy details…

> Read entire article
> Back to top

Responses from Last Compass Questions™

In the 3.09.10 issue of Clinical Compass™, we asked four questions.

Question #1 was "How aware are you that the PIB-PET technique has been found effective in detecting deposits of amyloid-beta protein plaques in the brains of living people?" and the neuroscienceCME learning community responded:
0.0% - Extremely aware
18.2% - Very aware
29.5% - Somewhat aware
52.3% - Not at all aware

Question #2 was "How aware are you of the Beers Criteria for potentially inappropriate medication use in older adults?" and the neuroscienceCME learning community responded:
6.7% - Extremely aware
15.6% - Very aware
26.6% - Somewhat aware
51.1% - Not at all aware

Question #3 was "How aware are you that a form of vitamin D (vitamin D3), together with a chemical found in turmeric spice called curcumin, may help stimulate the immune system to clear the brain of amyloid beta?" and the neuroscienceCME learning community responded:
0.0% - Extremely aware
15.6% - Very aware
31.1% - Somewhat aware
53.3% - Not at all aware

Question #4 was "How interested are you in educational activities that focus on the early intervention and treatment of Alzheimer’s disease (AD)? " and the neuroscienceCME learning community responded:
63.0% - Very interested
28.3% - Interested
6.5% - Somewhat interested
2.2% - Not at all interested

> Back to top

Compass Questions™

> Back to top

neuroscienceCME Webcast Premieres TOMORROW!

Epilepsy in the New Millennium: Emerging Treatments and Guidelines for Effective Diagnosis and Disease Management

Live webcast: Wednesday, March 24, 2010
12:00-1:00 p.m. ET

> View activity details
> Add to calendar
> Register now

Statement of Need
Does having a seizure mean epilepsy, or is it an isolated neurological event? Failure to recognize diagnostic uncertainty between the epilepsies and non-epileptic events may be a factor in high rates of misdiagnosis. Many patients who have been misdiagnosed as having epilepsy have had previous EEGs interpreted as epileptiform that contributed to the misdiagnosis of epilepsy...

> Read more

Learning Objectives
At the end of this CE activity, participants should be able to:

• Recognize the symptoms of epilepsy and list the components required to make an accurate diagnosis.
• Demonstrate improved expertise in the pharmacologic management of patients with epilepsy.
• Translate available guidelines for the treatment of epilepsy into clinical practice.

The following learning objectives pertain only to those requesting CNE credit:

• Recognize the symptoms of epilepsy.
• Identify available guidelines for the treatment of epilepsy.

Credit Information
This activity offers CE credit for:

• Physicians (ACCME/AMA PRA Category 1)
• Nurses (CNE)
• Pharmacists (ACPE)
• Psychologists (APA)
• Social Workers (NASW)
• Certified Case Managers (CCMC)

All other clinicians will either receive a CME Attendance Certificate or may choose any of the types of CE credit being offered.

> Back to top