At the Mental Health World Conference (MHWC 2026), this session convenes geriatric psychiatrists, neurologists, dementia research experts, and care coordinators to examine the mental health needs of aging populations. Discussions will cover pharmacologic and non-pharmacologic treatments, cognitive health enhancement, and integrated, compassionate approaches to care for older adults.
The second topic to be addressed at the meeting will be the problem of early diagnosis and prevention of cognitive impairments. In this regard, participants are expected to pay special attention to recent advances in neuroimaging, new biomarkers, and innovative diagnostic criteria for dementia and mild cognitive impairment. Moreover, various options for promoting healthy aging through lifestyle changes, such as proper nutrition, exercise, and cognitive stimulation, are also expected to be discussed. Finally, the last issue to be addressed at the conference will relate to managing older patients with comorbidities such as depression, anxiety disorders, and late-life psychosis using a holistic and patient-centered treatment paradigm, as well as ways to address the problems of caregivers.