Evidence for Including a History of Trauma as a Risk Factor for Dementia Development

We will review data from two small studies. The first study presents data from a mapping review I conducted of the literature on articles mentioning the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (dlPFC), the dopamine system, and its corresponding synaptic components in subjects affected by one or multiple traumatic brain injury (TBI). I will present the six overarching themes I identified and will make a case for trauma being a traumatic emotional injury (TEI) where the effects of unmetabolized grief on the body are equivalent to TBI. With targeted therapies for TBI being extensively researched, it seems plausible and necessary to replicate studies on people affected by a history of trauma or unmetabolized grief. The second part of this will focus on data analyzed from 103 peer-reviewed journal article search returns on the phrases person-centered, dementia, and COVID using Boolean phrase AND. I offer a unique set of considerations for professionals to consider. Time frame for search terms were March 2020 to March 2021. Therapeutic studies using person-centered care practices were analyzed for adherence to Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration’s (SAMHSA) principles that guide a trauma-informed approach. Studies were rated on a Likert-scale in six areas. Based on study findings, I propose policy and practice standards for employees of LTCC and community-based dementia health practitioners to become adequately trained in DGT.