Medical Nutrition Therapy for Neurological Diseases

This webinar was presented live on September 27, 2023. The CPE associated with this event will expire on December 31, 2025.

Navigating nutrition in neurological diseases can present significant hurdles where dietary strategies play a pivotal role in managing symptoms and enhancing patients' quality of life. Whether dealing with symptoms of impaired mobility, agility, dexterity, and communication, or chewing and swallowing difficulties, sustaining optimal nutrition can be a unique challenge. This webinar will present an overview of current Medical Nutrition Therapy for neurological diseases and discuss strategies to overcome the unique nutritional challenges encountered.

CPE Level: 2
CPEU: 1.0 (valid until December 31, 2025)

Performance Indicators:

• 8.1.5 Demonstrates knowledge of nutrient requirements throughout the lifespan, and their role in health promotion and disease prevention.
• 8.2.1 Engages in educational activities to maintain knowledge and to obtain new knowledge of diseases and clinical conditions.
• 10.2.11 Assesses cognitive and physical attributes that affect nutrition-related tasks (e.g., self-feeding and other activities of daily living [ADLs]) and instrumental ADLs (e.g., shopping and food preparation).

Learning Objectives

1. State the importance of nutrition in Neurological Disease.
2. Recognize the complexity of caring for patients with MS, ALS, and PD including specific considerations for these diseases.
3. Discuss the role of nutrition support in MS, ALS, and PD patients and when it is indicated.

Speakers

Alicia Gilmore, MS, RD, CSO, LD is an Assistant Professor in the Clinical Nutrition Department in the School of Health Professions at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center (UTSW). At UTSW, she provides instruction for the Master of Clinical Nutrition Coordinated Program, precepts students, as well as provides medical nutritional therapy for patients with ALS, MSA, PD, inborn errors of metabolism and other chronic diseases. Alicia obtained her Bachelor's and Masters of Science from Oklahoma State University. She has been a dietitian for over 20 years and is a Board Certified Specialist in Oncology Nutrition. Alicia is a Training Facilitator for the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics on the Nutrition Focused Physical Exam. She is a subject matter expert for the Oncology Nutrition Board Examination and serves on the Commission on Dietetic Registration Specialist Certification Panel.

Tad Campbell, MCN, RDN, LD, is an Assistant Professor in the Clinical Nutrition Department in the School of Health Professions at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center (UTSW). He attended Baylor University where he earned a Bachelor of Business Administration in Accounting and Information Systems. He later attended the Master of Clinical Nutrition-Coordinated Program (MCN-CP) at UTSW earning an MCN degree. Tad joined the faculty of that same program where he now teaches, precepts and mentors students, as well as provides medical nutritional therapy for patients with chronic illnesses including ALS, MS, PD, obesity, diabetes and others. Tad is a member of a multidisciplinary ALS clinic where he works with a team of providers to improve the quality of life for people living with ALS. Additionally, Tad is active with the UTSW School of Health Professions' diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives, sponsors multiple campus student groups, and sits on the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics ANDHII subcommittee.