Untangling the Complexity of Alzheimer Disease With Effective Diagnostic Tools and Novel Treatment Options

Program Introduction

New biomarker technology and advancements in treatment options can lead to earlier diagnosis of AD and initiation of appropriate disease modifying therapies.

Learning Objectives

  • Identify biomarkers used in the early identification of Alzheimer disease
  • Assess the efficacy and safety data of novel investigational therapies for the management of Alzheimer disease
  • Implement advancements in diagnostic and screening tools for early Alzheimer disease assessment

Target Audience

Neurologists, psychiatrists, geriatricians, NP/PAs

Program Description

Join this Team Meeting with Drs Carolyn K. Clevenger, DNP, Associate Dean for Transformative Clinical Practice and Clinical Professor at Nell Hodgson Woodruff School of Nursing; David Geldmacher, MD, Division Director of Memory Disorders and Professor of Neurology at UAB Heersink School of Medicine; and Marc Agronin, MD, Chief Medical Officer of MIND Institute and Behavioral Health at Miami Jewish Health and Affiliate Associate Professor of Psychiatry and Neurology at the UM Miller School of Medicine. In this video, the team discusses the pathogenesis of Alzheimer disease (AD) and the correlating classification of biomarkers that can direct appropriate treatment options. AD is characterized by buildup of toxic amyloid (A) plaques in the brain, the destabilization of tau (T) inside neurons and the formation of neurofibrillary tangles, inflammation, and neurodegeneration (N). With the AT(N) biomarker classification system developed by the National Institute on Aging-Alzheimer’s Association (NIA-AA) research framework, AD can be staged biologically throughout its disease course, including the preclinical stage in which there is biomarker evidence but no symptoms, creating a significant opportunity for early intervention and potentially the prevention of symptom onset. Novel and emerging therapeutics that target amyloid and tau as well as the intracellular process involved in the AD pathology cascade suggest multiple therapeutic approaches in treating patients with AD, and together with new and emerging diagnostic tools, there is a shift in the discussion around AD and the potentiality to engage patients in their own care and change their disease trajectory.

Activity summary
Available credit: 
  • 1.25 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™
  • 1.25 Participation
Activity opens: 
08/17/2023
Activity expires: 
08/31/2024
Cost:
$0.00

Support Statement

Supported by an educational grant from Eisai Inc.

Learning Objective

After completing this educational activity, you should be able to:

  • Identify biomarkers used in the early identification of Alzheimer disease
  • Assess the efficacy and safety data of novel investigational therapies for the management of Alzheimer disease
  • Implement advancements in diagnostic and screening tools for early Alzheimer disease assessment

Release and Expiration Dates

This CME activity was published in August 2023 and is eligible for AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™ through August 31, 2024. 

Statement of Need and Purpose

Alzheimer disease (AD) is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder that accounts for 60%-80% of all cases of dementia and is characterized by amyloid plaque and neurofibrillary tangle buildup. Early identification of AD is key in modifying disease progression and in patients’ ability to actively engage in their own treatment. While the challenges of current therapy options present a significant need in managing AD and patients’ quality of life, the role of amyloid-B in the pathogenesis of AD provides an attractive target for novel therapies. Advancements in the identification of biomarkers can lead to an earlier diagnosis of AD and therefore intervention as well as a quantitative diagnosis and appropriate treatment. An improved understanding of the evolving landscape of AD screening and diagnostic tools, biomarkers, and investigational medications is an educational gap, and clinicians need to be aware of the investigational drug pipeline for new AD medications and how to utilize these treatments as well as understand the importance of early AD identification and diagnostic tests.

Unlabeled and Investigational Usage

The faculty of this educational activity may include discussions of products or devices that are not currently labeled for use by the FDA. Faculty members have been advised to disclose to the audience any reference to an unlabeled or investigational use.

No endorsement of unapproved products or uses is made or implied by coverage of these products or uses.

Please refer to the official prescribing information for each product for discussion of approved indicators, contraindications and warnings.

Review Process

The faculty members agreed to provide a balanced and evidence-based presentation and discussed the topics and CME objectives during the planning sessions. The faculty’s submitted content was validated by CME Institute staff, and the activity was evaluated for accuracy, use of evidence, and fair balance by the Chair and a peer reviewer who is without conflict of interest.

The opinions expressed herein are those of the faculty and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the CME provider and publisher or the commercial supporter

© Copyright 2023 Physicians Postgraduate Press, Inc.

Faculty Affiliation


Marc Agronin, MD
Chief Medical Officer of
MIND Institute and
Behavioral Health
Miami Jewish Health
Affiliate Associate Professor of
Psychiatry and Neurology
UM Miller School of Medicine


David Geldmacher, MD
Division Director of
Memory Disorders
Professor of Neurology
UAB Heersink School of Medicine


Carolyn K. Clevenger, DNP
Associate Dean for
Transformative Clinical Practice
Clinical Professor
Nell Hodgson Woodruff School
of Nursing

Financial Disclosure

The CME Institute adheres to the Standards for Integrity and Independence in Accredited Continuing Education of the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME). Any individuals in a position to control the content of a continuing education activity, including faculty, content developers, reviewers, staff, and others, are required to disclose to learners the presence or absence of any relevant financial relationships with an ACCME-defined ineligible company within the preceding 24 months of the activity. The ACCME defines an “ineligible company” as one whose primary business is producing, marketing, selling, re-selling, or distributing healthcare products used by or on patients.

The CME Institute has mitigated all relevant conflicts of interest prior to the commencement of the activity. None of the individuals involved in the content have relevant financial relationships with ineligible companies except the following:

Dr. Agronin has received consulting fees from Genentech and Eli Lilly and received advisory board fees from Corium. 

Dr. Geldmacher has received grant/research support from Biogen, Eisai, Genentech, Janssen, and Vaccinex; and has served on the advisory boards of Biogen, Eisai, Genentech/Roche, and Lilly.

Dr. Clevenger has served on the advisory boards of Genentech and Otsuka.

None of the other faculty, planners, reviewers, and CME Institute staff for this educational activity have relevant financial relationships with ineligible companies to disclose. All relevant financial relationships have been mitigated.

Accreditation Statement

The CME Institute of Physicians Postgraduate Press, Inc., is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education to provide continuing medical education for physicians.

Credit Designation

The CME Institute of Physicians Postgraduate Press, Inc., designates this enduring material for a maximum of 1.25 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™. Physicians should claim only the credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.

Note: The American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) and the American Academy of Physician Assistants (AAPA) accept certificates of participation for educational activities certified for AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™ from organizations accredited by the ACCME.

To obtain credit for this activity, study the material and complete the CME Posttest and Evaluation.

Available Credit

  • 1.25 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™
  • 1.25 Participation

Price

Cost:
$0.00
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