Postoperative delirium is common in older adults, yet some of its long-term consequences remain debated.

​

While its association with adverse outcomes is well established—including longer hospital stays, functional decline, institutionalization, and mortality—a more challenging question is whether delirium itself contributes to later cognitive decline or if it mainly identifies patients who already have frailty, have a health record that is medically complex, and are likely to become ill again. 

​

A study co-published by Dr. Alexander K. Smith, titled "Cognition After Postoperative Delirium—The Confusion Has Cleared but All Is Not Well” provides data that advances this debate.

​

The study was published in the journal JAMA Internal Medicine.

 A recently published study in the journal nature titled “Hierarchical organization of tau topography across the Alzheimer’s disease continuum integrates amyloid, connectome, and intrinsic molecular vulnerability” used data from the NCIRE-supported NIH Alzheimer's Disease Neuroimaging Initiative (ADNI).

​​

Led by Dr. Michael Weiner, the ADNI study actively supports the investigation and development of treatments that slow or stop the progression of Alzheimer’s disease (AD). Researchers at over 60 clinical sites in the USA and Canada collect data to study the progression of AD in the human brain across normal aging, mild cognitive impairment (MCI), and Alzheimer’s disease and dementia.

A recent AAMC News article featured Dr. Michael Steinman and the U.S. Deprescribing Research Network (USDeN), which he co-leads, in a discussion of the growing challenge of polypharmacy among older adults and the importance of deprescribing—safely reducing or discontinuing medications that may be unnecessary or harmful.

Congratulations to Dr. Kenneth Covinsky, who was honored as the 2026 SGIM Distinguished Professor of Geriatrics by the Society of General Internal Medicine at its May 2026 meeting in Washington D.C.  At the meeting, Covinsky gave a presentation titled “On Being a Generalist and a Geriatrician”. His talk ranged from hospital acquired disability to prognosis to disparities. At the conclusion of his talk, Covinsky received a lengthy standing ovation and a Chicago Cubs Jersey with his name and the year. 

Dementia is a major and growing global challenge in aging societies, affecting an estimated 57 million people worldwide, with the fastest growth occurring in low and middle-income countries (LMICs).

​

Drs. Kenneth Covinsky and Sei Lee co-published a new manuscript entitled "Undiagnosed dementia and mortality among older adults in the United States and Brazil: A cross-national cohort study" in Alzheimer’s & Dementia: The Journal of the Alzheimer's Association that evaluates proportion of undiagnosed dementia, associated factors, and mortality in the two countries.

Outpatient palliative care (OPC) is increasingly being delivered virtually but symptom-related outcomes associated with virtual OPC are unknown.

​

Drs. Rebecca Sudore and John Boscardin co-authored the study “Impact of Virtual vs. In-Person Palliative Care on Symptom Burden: A Multisite Cohort Study” that examines the association over time between symptom burden and visit modality among people with serious illnesses.

​

The study was published in Journal of Pain and Symptom Management.