SERIES BACKGROUND

Arriving at an accurate diagnosis for both the presence of dementia and then the type of dementia takes time and requires clinicians to look at a variety of factors (Alzheimer’s Disease International, 2009). Recent research reflects a growing understanding of non-Alzheimer’s dementias. While Alzheimer’s disease continues to make up a majority of the dementia diagnoses, studies estimate the prevalence of vascular dementia to be 10-30%, making it the second most common dementia (WHO, 2012, Alzheimer’s Disease International, 2009; Stephan & Brayne, 2008; Alzheimer’s Society, 2007).

Estimates for the prevalence of Lewy Body dementia tend to be harder to pinpoint, with some studies estimating prevalence at less than five percent and others estimating it at ten percent or even as high as vascular dementia (Stephan & Brayne, 2008, WHO, 2012, Alzheimer’s Disease International, 2009). It is estimated that Parkinson’s disease dementia, a type of Lewy Body dementia, affects up to two percent of those over 65 and that of the nearly one million Americans with Parkinson’s, 50-80% will experience the dementia associated with it (Alzheimer’s Association, 2013). Additionally, there is increasing evidence to suggest that mixed dementia, a combination of two or more types of dementia, is more prevalent than previously thought and that it under diagnosed (Stephan and Brayne, dementia public policy; world report).

For these reasons it is important to provide sound, evidence-based training on the different types of dementias, including the origins, symptoms and best practice treatments. Therefore, this series, through virtual training and active learning, seeks to advance the training and workforce development goals of the Virginia Dementia State Plan.

The webinar series will include a pre-recorded 30-minute free lecture that briefly reviews types of dementia and three, live 60-minute free webinars on different types of dementia (Lewy body dementia, vascular and mixed dementias, and Parkinson’s disease dementia) and with a special emphasis on ethnic and racial minorities.

This was the first live webinar in the series which focused on vascular and mixed dementias, the second most common cause of dementia (WHO, 2012; Alzheimer’s Disease International, 2009; Stephan & Brayne, 2008; Alzheimer’s Society, 2007).

PRESENTER

Carol Manning, PhD, ABPP-CN, is Director of the Memory Disorders Clinic, Director of the Neurobehavioral Assessment Laboratory, Associate Professor of Neurology and Vice Chair for Faculty Development in the Department of Neurology at the University of Virginia.  She has additional appointments in the Departments of Psychology, Neuroscience, and School of Nursing.  In addition to being Director of the Memory Disorders Clinic, Dr. Manning is also an active member of the Parkinson’s Disease and Huntington’s Disease Treatment Teams at the University of Virginia.   Dr. Manning is the Vice Chair of the Central and Western Virginia Alzheimer’s Association and was recently appointed to the Virginia Alzheimer’s Disease and Related Disorders Commission.

Dr. Manning received her PhD in clinical psychology from the University of Texas at Austin in 1990.  Her post-doctoral training in neuropsychology and neurosciences was funded by the National Institutes of Health.

Her clinical interests include diagnostic issues in dementia, cognitive and behavioral changes associated with neurodegenerative disease including Alzheimer’s disease,  Parkinson’s disease, and Huntington’s disease as well as depression and anxiety.  Her research involves the effects of neurodegenerative disease on memory, apathy and decision making processes.