Helping the Aging Brain: The 2023 Behavioral Health & Aging Conference

The October 2023 Behavioral Health and Aging Conference focused on two broad themes, sleep and cognitive impairment. Invited speakers, who focused on the association between geriatric mental health and sleep, discussed the link between sleep and both emotional and cognitive health in later life, behavioral approaches to improving sleep, and the use of hypnotic medications. Speakers addressing age and cognition focused on the use of pharmacological agents to manage behavioral disturbances in dementia, biomarkers for the diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease, and Alzheimer’s disease modifying agents. 

Ellen Whyte, MD (Assistant Professor of Psychiatry; Service Chief & Medical Director, Geriatric Psychiatry; and Medical Director, Integrated Behavioral Health – Primary Care, UPMC Western Psychiatric Hospital) served as conference course director. 

Presentations from the Department of Psychiatry included: 

Candace M Fraser, DO (Assistant Professor of Psychiatry) with Christine Sun, PharmD (PGY2 Psychiatric Pharmacy Resident): “New Treatment for an Old Problem? Understanding the role of Brexpiprazole and other medications in the management of agitation associated with dementia.”

Tharick Pascoal, MD, PhD (Associate Professor of Psychiatry and Neurology): “Can we diagnose Alzheimer’s disease with a blood test? The current and future role of biomarkers in the diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease.”

Stephen Smagula, PhD (Associate Professor of Psychiatry): “Sleep is good for your brain. Behavioral approaches to improve sleep and health in older adults.”