Medication Treatments for Alzheimer's Disease
Hours: 1.00
Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is a progressive, neurodegenerative disease that currently affects 5.8 million people in the U.S. and is projected to affect 13.8 million people by the year 2050 (Alzheimer’s Association, 2019). The treatment approach to managing patients with dementia caused by AD is through symptom control. The pathophysiology is not entirely known, and there is no drug available to prevent or cure the disorder. All FDA-approved drugs work by modulating neurotransmitters, either acetylcholine or glutamate. Antidepressants, neuroleptics, anxiolytics, and anticonvulsants are also used to influence mood and behavior. As more research is completed and data collected, possible links to genetics, nutrition, and chemical entities may provide insight into future modes of therapy.
Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is a progressive, neurodegenerative disease that currently affects 5.8 million people in the U.S. and is projected to affect 13.8 million people by the year 2050 (Alzheimer’s Association, 2019). The treatment approach to managing patients with dementia caused by AD is through symptom control. The pathophysiology is not entirely known, and there is no drug available to prevent or cure the disorder. All FDA-approved drugs work by modulating neurotransmitters, either acetylcholine or glutamate. Antidepressants, neuroleptics, anxiolytics, and anticonvulsants are also used to influence mood and behavior. As more research is completed and data collected, possible links to genetics, nutrition, and chemical entities may provide insight into future modes of therapy.
Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education
In support of improving patient care, Relias LLC is jointly accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME), the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE), and the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC), to provide continuing education for the healthcare team.
Type Activity: [Custom_Code]
Target Audience Designation: [Custom_Code2]
ACPE Universal Activity Number: JA4008266-0000-21-077-H01-P
Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education
In support of improving patient care, Relias LLC is jointly accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME), the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE), and the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC), to provide continuing education for the healthcare team.
Type Activity: [Custom_Code]
Target Audience Designation: [Custom_Code2]
ACPE Universal Activity Number: JA4008266-0000-21-077-H01-T
Describe the approved drugs used to treat patients with AD
List the available drug treatments for secondary features of AD
Discuss supplements and nonpharmacologic interventions used in managing symptoms of AD
Review emerging therapies and areas of research for AD
Outline:
Section 1: Introduction
About This Course
Learning Objectives
Section 2: Alzheimer’s Disease
Pathophysiology
Diagnosis
Signs and Symptoms
Section 3: Management
Assessment
Monitoring
Evaluation
Section 4: Pharmaceutical Treatments
Acetylcholinesterase Inhibitors (AcHEI)
N-Methyl-D-Aspartate (NMDA) Antagonists
Section 5: Treating Neurocognitive Symptoms
Overview
Cholinesterase Inhibitors and Memantine
Neuroleptic Agents
Other Agents
Section 6: Other Treatment Approaches
Medical Foods
Vitamin E Therapy
Fish Oil
Section 7: Drugs and Treatment Strategies in Development
Section 8: The Concentric Effect of AD
Care Environment
Behavioral Interventions and Physical Activity
Long-Term Monitoring
Section 9: Clinical Vignette
Eric’s Story
Section 10: Conclusion
Summary
Course Contributors
Resources
References
Congratulations!
Instructor: Trisha Bogucki, PharmD
Trisha A. Bogucki, PharmD, is a registered pharmacist and medical writer. Disclosure: Trisha Bogucki, PharmD has declared that no conflict of interest, Relevant Financial Relationship or Relevant Non-Financial Relationship exists.Staff Writer: Carrie Furberg, BSN, RN, CRN
Carrie Furberg, BSN, RN, CRN, has over ten years' experience in radiology nursing, in vascular and interventional radiology as well as all imaging modalities. She is a Certified Radiology Nurse with clinical expertise in procedural sedation, cardiac CT, and radiation safety, and has prior experience in critical care, cardiac stepdown, and emergency care. She is a member of the Association for Radiologic and Imaging Nursing (ARIN) and RAD-AID International.
Disclosure: Carrie Furberg, BSN, RN, CRN has declared that no conflict of interest, Relevant Financial Relationship or Relevant Non-Financial Relationship exists.
The target audience for this course is: Nurses; Pharmacists; Physicians; in the following settings: Acute Care Facility.
Asynchronous/Online Distance Learning; please see certificate details for specifics on delivery format.
Relias has a grievance policy in place to facilitate reports of dissatisfaction. Relias will make every effort to resolve each grievance in a mutually satisfactory manner. In order to report a complaint or grievance please contact Relias.
If you require special accommodations to complete this module, please contact Relias Support by completing the web form (https://www.relias.com/help) or by using the chat functionality.
All courses offered by Relias, LLC are developed from a foundation of diversity, inclusiveness, and a multicultural perspective. Knowledge, values and awareness related to cultural competency are infused throughout the course content.
Reference herein to any specific commercial product, process, or service by trade name, trademark, service mark, manufacturer or otherwise does not constitute or imply any endorsement, recommendation, or favoring of, or affiliation with, Relias, LLC.
All characteristics and organizations referenced in the following training are fictional. Any resemblance to any actual organizations or persons living or dead, is purely coincidental.
To earn continuing education credit for this course you must achieve a passing score of 80% on the post-test and complete the course evaluation.
If you require special accommodations to complete this module, please contact Relias Customer Support here.
