Neuropsychology of Cognitive Decline A Developmental Approach to Assessment and Intervention

Presenting best practices for assessment and intervention with older adults experiencing cognitive decline, this book draws on cutting-edge research and extensive clinical experience. The authors' integrative approach skillfully interweaves neuropsychological and developmental knowledge. The volume provides guidelines for evaluating and differentiating among normal aging, subjective cognitive decline, mild cognitive impairment, and different types of dementia. It identifies risk and protective factors that may influence an individual's trajectory and describes how to create a sound case conceptualization. Evidence-based strategies for pharmacological, cognitive, behavioral, and psychological intervention with patients and their caregivers are illustrated with vivid case examples. 
 

Holly A. Tuokko, PhD, a clinical neuropsychologist, is Professor of Psychology and a member of the graduate faculty in the Clinical Psychology Training Program at the University of Victoria, British Columbia, Canada, where she is also a research affiliate of the Institute on Aging and Lifelong Health. Prior to joining the University of Victoria, Dr. Tuokko was Supervising Psychologist at the Clinic for Alzheimer Disease and Related Disorders at UBC Hospital and worked on a geriatric mental health outreach team. She coordinated the neuropsychological component of the Canadian Study of Health and Aging and was Senior Investigator for a program of research on mental health and aging, including the evolution of cognitive disorders. Dr. Tuokko is the Psychological Health theme leader for the Canadian Longitudinal Study of Aging.
 
Colette M. Smart, PhD, a clinical neuropsychologist, is Associate Professor of Psychology and a member of the graduate faculty in the Clinical Psychology Training Program at the University of Victoria, British Columbia, Canada, where she is also a research affiliate of the Institute on Aging and Lifelong Health. Previously, Dr. Smart was a staff neuropsychologist at the Johnson Rehabilitation Institute and the Neuroscience Institute, both affiliates of JFK Medical Center in Edison, New Jersey. Her current research integrates her knowledge of aging and dementia with principles and practices of neurorehabilitation. Dr. Smart is a core member of the Subjective Cognitive Decline Initiative, an international working group of researcher-clinicians, in which she leads a special interest group focused on non-pharmacological interventions such as mindfulness training.

I. An Overview of Cognitive Decline in Later Life
1. Introduction to the Study of Cognitive Decline
2. Factors Protective against Cognitive Decline
3. Factors Predictive of Cognitive Decline
II. Assessment Strategies for Late-Life Cognitive Decline
4. An Integrative, Developmental Approach to Assessment
5. Normal Age-Related Cognitive Decline
6. Subjective Cognitive Decline
7. Mild Cognitive Impairment
8. Dementia
III. Interventions for Late-Life Cognitive Decline
9. An Integrative, Developmental Approach to Intervention
10. Pharmacological Interventions
11. Cognitive and Behavioral Interventions
12. Psychological Interventions
References
Index