Cognitive-Communication Disorders of MCI and Dementia: Definition, Assessment, and Clinical Management

A Must-Have Resource for Clinicians, Instructors, and Students in Training!

Cognitive-Communication Disorders of MCI and Dementia: Definition, Assessment, and Clinical Management, Fourth Edition provides a comprehensive, evidence-based examination of cognitive-communication disorders associated with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and dementia. Designed for graduate students in speech-language pathology and related disciplines, as well as practicing clinicians, this fully updated text integrates current neuroscience, cognitive science, and clinical practice to support accurate diagnosis, differential assessment, and person-centered intervention across a range of neurodegenerative disorders. Coverage includes Alzheimer’s disease, vascular dementia, Parkinson’s disease dementia, Lewy body disease, Huntington’s disease, frontotemporal dementia, and dementia associated with Down syndrome, with detailed discussion of communication, cognition, memory, and functional outcomes.

The Fourth Edition emphasizes early identification, neuroplasticity, cognitive reserve, and evidence-based intervention strategies that promote quality of life and communicative participation. Rich clinical guidance, practical assessment procedures, and reimbursement considerations prepare readers to translate research into effective clinical management across healthcare settings.

New to the Fourth Edition

• Expanded coverage of Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI) and Mild Neurocognitive Disorder (mNCD)
• New discussion of LATE (Limbic-Predominant Age-Related TDP-43 Encephalopathy)
• Updated research on neuroplasticity, cognitive reserve, and cognitive stimulation
• Enhanced evidence-based intervention strategies and person-centered care approaches
• New content on technology supports, caregiver education, and reimbursement considerations
• Current research findings integrated throughout all dementia chapters

Key Features

• Comprehensive overview of cognitive-communication disorders across dementia types
• Step-by-step guidance for assessment, differential diagnosis, and clinical intervention
• Neuroscience-based treatment strategies grounded in current evidence
• Practical frameworks for individualized and culturally responsive care
• Case-based clinical applications and functional communication strategies

PluralPlus Online Ancillaries

For instructors: PowerPoint Slides, Test Bank

Contents

Preface    
Acknowledgments    

Chapter 1. Mild Cognitive Impairment and Dementia: Role of Speech-Language Pathologists
Introduction    
Communication Defined    
Rationale for Therapy    
Summary of Important Points    
References    

Chapter 2. Cognition, Memory, and Communication    
Cognition    
The “Company of Cognition”    
Memory Defined    
Relation of Cognition and Memory to Communication        
Summary of Important Points
References    

Chapter 3. Mild Cognitive Impairment and Mild Neurocognitive Disorder
Introduction    
Distinguishing Healthy Aging From Mild Cognitive Impairment/Mild Neurocognitive Disorder    
Identifying MCI/mNCD
Risk of MCI/mNCD and Protective Factors    
Conversion to Dementia        
Conclusion    
Summary of Important Points
References

Chapter 4. Alzheimer’s Dementia
Alzheimer’s Disease Introduction    
All-Cause Dementia
Healthy Brains Versus AD
Risk Factors for AD
Disease Progression    
Protective Factors
Effects of AD on Cognitive Functions    
Summary of Important Points    
References    

Chapter 5. Dementia and Down Syndrome    
Introduction    
Common Features of People With Down Syndrome 
Risk of Developing Alzheimer’s Disease        
Prevalence of Dementia in DS    
Diagnosing Dementia in Individuals With DS    
Language and Communication Skills of Adults With DS        
Summary of Important Points    
References
    
Chapter 6. Vascular Dementia
Introduction    
Neuropathology
Diagnostic Criteria            
Risk Factors for Vascular Dementia    
Vascular Pathology Can Be a Trigger for Alzheimer’s Dementia 
Comparison of Effects of Cortical and Subcortical Pathologies on Cognition and Communicative Function    
Observations From Course-of-Disease Studies    
Summary: Effects of Vascular Cognitive Impairment on Cognitive and Communicative Functioning
Conclusion
Summary of Important Points    
References    

Chapter 7. Parkinson’s Disease and Dementia    
Parkinson’s Disease and Parkinsonism     
Breakthroughs in PD
Incidence and Prevalence    
Symptoms of PD: Motor, Affective, Cognitive    
Neuropathology of PD
Risk Factors             
Cognition: A Continuum From Normal to Dementia        
Diagnostic Criteria for PD
Nature of Impairments        
Communicative Function    
Relation of PD With Dementia, Dementia With Lewy Bodies, and Alzheimer’s Disease    
Summary of Important Points
References

Chapter 8. Dementia and Lewy Body Disease
Lewy Body Disease
Caregivers’ Report of Early Symptoms
LBD Risk Factors
LBD and Depression
LBD and Language and Communicative Function
A Case of Pure LBD
Cognitive Profile of LBD Compared With Alzheimer’s Disease
Cognitive Profile of LBD Compared With Parkinson’s Disease With Dementia
Summary of Important Points
References

Chapter 9. Huntington’s Disease and Dementia
Overview and Genetics of Huntington’s Disease
Neuropathology of HD
Symptomatology
Effects on Cognition
Language
Dysphagia: A Concern
Cognition and Communication
Summary of Important Points
References

Chapter 10. Frontotemporal Dementia
Introduction
Diagnosis of Frontotemporal Dementia
Behavioral Presentation
Language Presentation of FTD: Primary Progressive Aphasias
Differentiating the Behavioral Variant of FTD From the PPA Variants
Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis and FTD    
Key Breakthroughs and Research Areas
Summary of Important Points    
References

Clinical Management: Assessments and Interventions for Cognitive-Communication Disorders of Dementia

Clinical Section I. Assessment    
Introduction    
Assessment Procedures 
Criteria for Diagnosing Mild Cognitive Impairment/Mild Neurocognitive Disorder and Dementia 
Tests for Diagnosing MCI and Dementia
Differentiating the Types of Dementia        
Summary of Important Points    
References
    
Clinical Section II. Neuroscience-Based Clinical Intervention     
Introduction
Early Intervention for Mild Cognitive Impairment
Dementia
Neuroplasticity
Clinical Strategies That Strengthen Neuroplasticity
Summary of Important Points
References

Clinical Section III. A Framework for Person-Centered Care    
Introduction
Physical State of Clients: Sleep, Diet, and Exercise 
Cognitive Training, Exercise, Diet, and Vascular Risk
Attention to Possible Sensory Deficits
Target Skills and Behaviors That Have the Potential to Improve
Strategies to Support Memory
Cultural Considerations and Client Care
Individual and Group Therapy
Provide Communicative Engagement and Socialization
Duration of Intervention
Use Objective and Subjective Measures of Skill Strength and Learning
Looking Forward
References

Clinical Section IV. Supporting Individuals With MCI and Dementia
Creating a Safe Environment
Driving Risks
Avoid Placing Patients in a Free-Recall Situation
Linguistic Modifications to Improve Communication
Improving Language Production
Support of Feeding    
Environmental Modifications
Facilitate Perception of Stimuli 
Facilitating Mood and Behavior
Technologies to Support Cognition, Communication, and Memory    
Caregiver Education and Support 
A Medicare Guidebook for Navigating the Dementia Journey
Family Counseling 
Caregiver Education and Training 
References

Clinical Section V. Reimbursement and Care Planning
Introduction
Federal Law Mandates Care
Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services
Medicare’s Comprehensive Assessment
Role of the Speech-Language Pathologist
Medicare Review Threshold for Therapy Claims
Using Test Performance to Develop Treatment Plans
Planning Intervention
Documentation Is Critical
Synopsis
References

Index

A Coursebook on Aphasia and Other Neurogenic Language Disorders, Sixth Edition comes with access to supplementary instructor resources on a PluralPlus companion website.

The companion website is located at: https://www.pluralpublishing.com/publication/ccdmcid4e

INSTRUCTORS:

The instructor resources include PowerPoint Slides and Test Bank. You will also have access to all of the student resources listed above.

To access the instructor resources, you must contact Plural Publishing, Inc. to be verified as an instructor and receive your access code.

            Email: instructormaterials@pluralpublishing.com

            Tel: 866-758-7251 (toll free) or 858-492-1555