Overcoming Obstacles: Agitation in Alzheimer's Disease

Target Audience

The educational design of this activity addresses identified knowledge and practice gaps among primary care providers including physicians, nurse practitioners (NPs), physician associates (PAs), and advanced practice registered nurses concerning clinical decision-making and understanding of agitation associated with dementia due to Alzheimer’s disease (AAD).

Program Overview

Agitation in dementia associated with Alzheimer’s disease (AAD) is commonly seen in patients with AD and is frequently troubling to both the patient and the caregiver. Early recognition and incorporation of nonpharmacologic approaches is imperative to patient and caregiver well-being. There are multiple pharmacotherapeutic options, including 1 approved by the FDA for AAD, and clinicians must be prepared to incorporate these therapies. Primary care clinicians are well placed to recognize AAD in their patients with AD and begin treatment. Dr. Anton Porsteinsson reviews the pathophysiology of AAD, AAD diagnostic criteria, nonpharmacologic approaches, off- and on-label therapies, and monitoring caregiver burden in this interactive, self-directed activity.

Educational Objectives 

After completing this activity, the participant should be better able to:

• Utilize validated screening tools and criteria to diagnose AAD at an early stage
• Review pathophysiology of AAD, including therapeutic targets
• Tailor nonpharmacologic and pharmacologic treatments according to patient characteristics and clinical profiles of available therapies

Physician Accreditation Statement

Integritas Communications is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME) to provide continuing medical education for physicians.

Physician Credit Designation

Integritas designates this enduring activity for a maximum of 1.0 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™.  Physicians should claim only the credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.

The ANCC’s Commission on Accreditation recognizes educational activities that are approved for AMA PRA Category 1 Credits™ by providers who are accredited by the ACCME to award credit to learners. This reciprocity agreement allows nurses and nurse practitioners to use AMA PRA Category 1 Credits™ as approved ANCC contact hours for license renewal. 

Disclosures of Relevant Financial Relationships

Integritas adheres to the policies and guidelines, including the Standards for Integrity and Independence in Accredited CE, set forth to providers by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME) and all other professional organizations, as applicable, stating those activities where continuing education credits are awarded must be balanced, independent, objective, and scientifically rigorous. All persons in a position to control the content are required to disclose all financial relationships with any ineligible company within the past 24 months to Integritas.  All financial relationships reported are identified as relevant and mitigated by Integritas in accordance with the Standards for Integrity and Independence in Accredited CE in advance of delivery of the activity to learners. The content of this activity was vetted by Integritas to assure objectivity and that the activity is free of commercial bias.  

All relevant financial relationships have been mitigated. 

The faculty have the following relevant financial relationships with ineligible companies:

Anton P. Porsteinsson, MD: Consulting Fees: Acadia Pharmaceuticals Inc., Axsome Therapeutics, Inc., Lundbeck, Otsuka 

The planners and managers at Integritas Communications have no relevant financial relationships to disclose.

Disclosure of Unlabeled Use

This educational activity may contain discussion of published and/or investigational uses of agents that are not indicated by the US Food and Drug Administration. Integritas Communications does not recommend the use of any agent outside of the labeled indications.  

The opinions expressed in the educational activity are those of the faculty and do not necessarily represent the views of any organization associated with this activity. Please refer to the official prescribing information for each product for discussion of approved indications, contraindications, and warnings.

Instructions to Receive Credit

In order to receive credit for this activity, the participant must score 70% on the posttest and complete the program evaluation.

Fee Information & Refund/Cancellation Policy

There is no fee for this educational activity.

Integritas Contact Information

For questions about this activity, please contact Integritas Communications at info@exchangecme.com.