Samantha Holden, MD
Neurology
Locations
Practice Locations
CU Memory Disorders Clinic - Central Park
720-848-2080
Provider Expertise
Clinical Interest for Patients
I am interested in conditions that present with symptoms affecting both cognition and movement, such as Parkinson's disease dementia, dementia with Lewy bodies, and Alzheimer's disease with parkinsonism. I have fellowship training in both Movement Disorders and Behavioral Neurology, which has laid the foundation for these interests.
Care Philosophy
I hope to ensure that my patients are living their best life possible, even in the face of a chronic neurologic disease. I emphasize the importance of physical exercise, diet, social activities, and cognitively stimulating activity to not only improve quality of life, but to help delay the progression of the neurodegenerative diseases I treat.
Specialties
- Behavioral Neurology
- Neurology ( 2014 )
Conditions & Treatments
-
Brain and Nervous System
Alzheimer's Disease, Movement Disorders, Parkinson's Disease
Interests & Activities
Personal Interests
I enjoy reading historical fiction, especially anything that focuses on Eleanor of Aquitaine.
Education & Training
Medical Schools
MD, The School of Medicine at Stony Brook University Medical Center (2010)
Undergraduate Schools
BS, New York University (NY) (2006)
Graduate Schools
MSCS, University of Colorado Denver (2018)
Internships
Rush University Medical Center Program (2011)
Residency Program
Rush University Medical Center Program (2014)
Fellowships
University of Colorado (2017)
Professional Memberships
Alzheimer's Association International Society to Advance Alzheimer's Research and Treatment, Member
American Academy of Neurology, Member
American Neuropsychiatric Association, Member
Colorado Society of Clinical Neurologists, Member
International Parkinson and Movement Disorder Society, Member
Research & Grants
Grants
Validation of a performance-based assessment of functional ability related to cognition in Parkinson’s disease (2015)
Home-based neurologic music therapy for management of behavioral and psychological symptoms of dementia (2015)
Can baseline functional abilities predict future cognitive decline in Parkinson's disease? (2017)
The eyes have it: a pilot study of wearable eye tracking metrics as a clinical marker of cognitive fluctuations in dementia with Lewy bodies (2020)
Deep sleep in Parkinson's disease and its relationship to cognition, neuroinflammation and neurodegeneration (2020)
Research Interests for Patients
My research is focused on how to best evaluate cognition as it relates to daily functioning. Paper and pencil tests done in clinic do not always fully evaluate how thinking and memory problems can affect someone's day-to-day function. I hope to validate a new type of assessment that directly evaluates daily activities that require higher levels of cognitive function. In the future, I hope to work on developing non-pharmacologic treatments for cognitive impairment that focus on improving independence and functionality, such as an exercise program that also involves cognitive training.
information for referring providers
Referral Contact Phone
720-848-2080
Clinical Interests for Referring Providers
My clinical interests include the overlap between Behavioral Neurology and Movement Disorders, with fellowship training in both sub-specialties. Dementia with Lewy bodies, as well as the neuropsychiatric symptoms of Parkinson's disease, including cognitive impairment, psychosis, apathy, depression and fatigue, are a particular interest. My clinical research focuses on the development and validation of cognitive outcome measures that are ecologically valid and personally meaningful, including measures of cognitively demanding daily functions and posterior cortical symptoms. Complementary treatments of cognitive impairment and related daily function and wellbeing, including neurologic music therapy and cannabis-based therapies, are also a focus. I am the site principal investigator for the University of Colorado's Lewy Body Dementia Association Research Center of Excellence, focusing on providing examplary clinical care, education and outreach, and new research studies for Parkinson's disease dementia and dementia with Lewy bodies.
Research Interest for Referring Providers
My clinical research focuses on determining how to best diagnose dementia, particularly in Parkinson's disease. A diagnosis of dementia relies on demonstrable impairment in activities of daily living, yet there is no accurate method for doing so. In addition, neuropsychological testing does not fully evaluate a patient's day-to-day functioning. My current study seeks to validate a performance-based assessment of functionality as related to cognition. Future research would seek to develop non-pharmacologic treatment methods to improve patients' daily functioning, such as enriched exercise.
