Brain Health: Advancing Prevention, Healthy Aging, and Cognitive Well-Being

As the global population ages, cognitive decline and neurodegenerative diseases present a critical public health challenge. Primary care and mental health clinicians serve as the frontline for aging adults, yet clinical practice frequently lags behind the latest evidence in preventative neuroscience.

Traditionally, brain diseases are addressed reactively, focusing on diagnosis and symptom management after clinical impairment has already manifested. This evidence-based, interdisciplinary course is designed to highlight preventative measures at the level of lifestyle change and primary care, focusing on optimizing and preserving brain health as we face a significant increase in non-communicable diseases worldwide.

Participants will be equipped with practical, scalable tools to assess cognitive well-being, mitigate modifiable risk factors, and empower patients to achieve healthy aging. Expert faculty will discuss how to integrate neuroprotective lifestyle counseling directly into fast-paced practice environments, while taking into consideration key drivers such as social determinants of health. We welcome all clinicians interested in this important field to join us!

*Generative AI was used to draft this overview. HMS faculty course directors then reviewed and edited it to ensure factual and clinical accuracy.

Who Should Attend

• Specialty Physicians
• Primary Care Physicians
• Nurses
• Social workers
• Family Therapists
• Counselors
• Psychologists

Learning Objectives

Upon completion of this activity, participants will be able to:

• Review the basics about the now ubiquitous concept of "brain health", and highlights from current research on brain healthy behaviors that reduce individual risk of dementia and that promote successful cognitive aging.
• Address hormonal changes that occur before, during and after menopause, and how they impact brain function.
• Identify and manage the top modifiable lifestyle and vascular risk factors associated with cognitive decline.
• Utilize brief, validated, and culturally sensitive tools to screen for early cognitive changes and establish a baseline for healthy aging.
• Confidently guide patients on actionable brain-healthy habits, including targeted nutrition, healthy sleep, social connections, and structured physical activity.
• Describe the AgeWISE-AP program, and apply it to broader clinical practice.

ABMS/ACGME Competencies

This course is designed to meet the following American Board of Medical Specialties (ABMS) / Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Educational (ACGME) competencies:

• Patient Care and Procedural Skills
• Medical Knowledge
• Interpersonal and Communication Skills

IOM Competencies

This course is designed to meet the following Institute of Medicine Core Competencies:

• Provide Patient-Centered Care
• Employ Evidence-Based Practice

Questions?

Please contact us.

Gene Bowman, ND, MPH

Director, Clinical Trials Platform and Brain Nutrition Laboratory, McCance Center for Brain Health, Massachusetts General Hospital
Assistant Professor of Neurology, Harvard Medical School

Lina Fine, MD, MPhil

Neuropsychiatrist and Sleep Specialist, Swedish Medical Center
Psychiatrist in private practice, Seattle WA

Seth Gale, MD

Co-Director, Brain Health Program, Division of Cognitive and Behavioral Neurology, Brigham and Women's Hospital
Assistant Professor of Neurology, Harvard Medical School

Maiya Geddes, MD, FRCPC

Associate Professor, Department of Neurology and Neurosurgery, McGill University
Killam Scholar, Montreal Neurological Institute

Hadine Joffe, MD, MSc

Chair and Psychiatrist-in-Chief, Department of Psychiatry, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center
Paula A. Johnson Professor of Psychiatry in the Field of Women’s Health, Harvard Medical School

Mandana Modirrousta, MD PhD FRCPC

Associate Professor, Department of Psychiatry, University of Manitoba
Director, BrainWave Clinic

Maureen O'Connor, PsyD, ABPP-CN

Director of Neuropsychology and Director of Neuropsychology Training, Bedford VA Medical Center Associate Professor, Boston University Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine

Course Directors

Harvard Medical School Continuing Education attracts the best and brightest faculty from all around the world. As a student in this course, you’ll have access to outstanding course directors and faculty.

Zeina Chemali, MD, MPH

Vice Chair for Education, Department of Psychiatry, Cambridge Health Alliance
Associate Professor of Psychiatry and Neurology, Harvard Medical School

Margaret Lanca, PhD

Director of Neuropsychology and Cognitive Wellness and Director of Population Behavioral Health Innovation, Cambridge Health Alliance
Assistant Professor of Psychology in the Department of Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School

Karen Kuc, MPH

Director, Continuing Education in Psychiatry, Cambridge Health Alliance​​​
Associate in Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School

In support of improving patient care, Harvard Medical School is jointly accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME), the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE), and the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC), to provide continuing education for the healthcare team.

Live/Live Online Courses: To receive CME/CE credit, learners are required to complete the course evaluation. Once the evaluation is complete, you will be able to claim your credit and download your certificate. All evaluations and credit claims must be completed within 60 days of the course end date.

Online Courses: To receive CME/CE credit, learners must pass the course post-test and complete the course evaluation in order to claim credit before the final day of the accreditation period. Learners have access to the course for 60 days after the accreditation period has expired.

Physicians

The Harvard Medical School designates this live activity for a maximum of 7.00 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit(s)™. Physicians should claim only the credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.

Nurse Practitioners and Registered Nurses

For the purpose of recertification, the National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants, the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners Certification Board and the American Nurses Credentialing Center accept  AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™ issued by organizations accredited by the ACCME. We would also suggest that learners check with their state licensing board to ensure they accept reciprocity with  AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™ for re-licensure.

Physician Assistants

The National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants (NCCPA) states that  AMA PRA Category 1 Credits™ are acceptable for continuing medical education requirements for recertification. We would also suggest that learners check with their state licensing board to ensure they accept reciprocity with AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™ for re-licensure. 

Psychologists

Cambridge Health Alliance, Division of Continuing Education in Psychiatry is approved by the American Psychological Association to sponsor continuing education for psychologists. Cambridge Health Alliance, Division of Continuing Education in Psychiatry maintains responsibility for this program and its content. This course offers 7.00 continuing education credits. 

Please note: For psychologists, social workers, counselors, and LMFTs, this course has been approved for a set amount of credits and CHA is not able to issue CE certificates for partial credit. Participants must be present for all sessions to claim a certificate. For any questions regarding CE credit, please contact us.

Social Workers

Application for social work continuing education credits has been submitted to NASW-MA. Please contact us at cme@challiance.org for the status of social work CE accreditation. NY Social Workers: Cambridge Health Alliance, Division of Continuing Education in Psychiatry is recognized by the New York State Education Department's State Board for Social Work as an Approved Provider #0038 of continuing education for licensed social workers. This course offers 7.00 contact hours.   

Please note: For psychologists, social workers, counselors, and LMFTs, this course has been approved for a set amount of credits and CHA is not able to issue CE certificates for partial credit. Participants must be present for all sessions to claim a certificate. For any questions regarding CE credit, please contact us.

Counselors

Cambridge Health Alliance is an Affiliate of Harvard Medical School. Cambridge Health Alliance, Division of Continuing Education in Psychiatry has been approved by NBCC as an Approved Continuing Education Provider, ACEP No. 5444.  Programs that do not qualify for NBCC credit are clearly identified. Cambridge Health Alliance, Division of Continuing Education in Psychiatry is solely responsible for all aspects of the program. This course meets the requirements for 7.0 continuing education hours and is also applicable for Commonwealth of Massachusetts Counseling/Allied Mental Health accreditation for 7.00 credits.

Please note: For psychologists, social workers, counselors, and LMFTs, this course has been approved for a set amount of credits and CHA is not able to issue CE certificates for partial credit. Participants must be present for all sessions to claim a certificate. For any questions regarding CE credit, please contact us. 

Family Therapists

This activity has been certified by NEAFAST on behalf of the Massachusetts Board of Registration of Allied Mental Health & Human Services Professions for LMFT Professional Continuing Education. Certification #215576707. The States of CT and RI accept NBCC and NASW approval for marriage and family therapy. 

Please note: For psychologists, social workers, counselors, and LMFTs, this course has been approved for a set amount of credits and CHA is not able to issue CE certificates for partial credit. Participants must be present for all sessions to claim a certificate. For any questions regarding CE credit, please contact us. 

Union of European Medical Specialists

The American Medical Association (AMA) has an agreement of mutual recognition of continuing medical education (CME) credit with the European Union of Medical Specialists (UEMS). Additional information regarding this agreement may be found on the Union of European Medical Specialists website.

Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada (RCPSC)

The Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada recognizes conferences and workshops held outside of Canada that are developed by a university, academy, hospital, specialty society or college as accredited group learning activities.

You may register through our secure online environment and will receive an email confirmation upon receipt of your payment. Session recordings are available 30 days after the course ends.

At the end of the registration process, a $10 non-refundable processing fee will be added to your registration.

Course Tuition

Course Registration - Treating the Addictions

Physician (MD/DO)

$290 / ($260 if registered by March 18, 2027)

All Other Health Professionals

$230 / ($200 if registered by March 18, 2027)

Review the cancellation policy.

Tuition includes electronic syllabus.