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For instructor materials including Power Points, Answers to Clinical Encounter Questions, please contact userservices@mhprofessional.com.
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Content Update
December 21, 2023
Lecanemab-irmb (LEQEMBI®): The first FDA-approved monoclonal antibody for Alzheimer's Disease: Lecanemab-irmb (LEQEMBI®), a humanized IgG1 monoclonal antibody, has been considered as a potential treatment for Alzheimer's disease. It aims to target aggregated soluble and insoluble forms of amyloid beta, which are elemental to the disease pathophysiology. In a Phase III trial, lecanemab showed promise in reducing Clinical Dementia Rating scores, amyloid burden on positron-emission tomography scans, and cognitive impairment and functional scores compared to placebo. Further study is warranted to ensure its safety for the target population, as participants receiving lecanemab experienced more adverse events. This antibody represents a potential advancement in Alzheimer's therapy, pending comprehensive safety evaluation.
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Content Update
August 01, 2023
Donepezil Transdermal System (Adlarity®): The First Once-Weekly Patch Approved for Treatment of Mild, Moderate, and Severe Alzheimer’s Dementia: Donepezil (Adlarity®) is the second transdermal system (TDS) approved in the U.S. for treatment of Alzheimer’s dementia of mild, moderate, and severe types in adults. In comparison to the donepezil oral formulation, the donepezil TDS had shown overall clinical benefit in cognition in Alzheimer’s dementia patients with less incidence of adverse events aside from application site reactions. With less frequent administration and improved pharmacokinetics, this donepezil formulation provides easier adherence for patients who are unable to tolerate the oral formulation known for gastrointestinal events.
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LEARNING OBJECTIVES
Upon completion of the chapter, the reader will be able to:
Describe the epidemiology of Alzheimer disease (AD) and its effects on society.
Describe the pathophysiology, including genetic and environmental factors that may be associated with AD.
Detail the clinical presentation of the typical patient with AD.
Describe the clinical course of the disease and typical patient outcomes.
Explain how nonpharmacologic therapy is combined with pharmacologic therapy for patients with AD.
Recognize and recommend treatment options for disease-specific symptoms as well as behavioral/noncognitive symptoms associated with AD.
Educate patients and/or caregivers about the expected outcomes for patients with AD and provide contact information for support/advocacy agencies.
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Alzheimer disease (AD) is characterized by progressive cognitive decline, including memory loss, disorientation, and impaired judgment and learning. There is no single symptom unique to AD; therefore, diagnosis typically relies on a thorough patient history. The exact pathophysiologic mechanism underlying AD is not entirely known, although certain genetic and environmental factors may be associated with the disease. There is no cure for AD; however, drug treatment can slow symptom progression.
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Family members of AD patients can be profoundly affected by the increased dependence of their loved ones as the disease progresses. Advocacy organizations, such as the Alzheimer’s Association, can provide early education and social support for both the patient and family. The Alzheimer’s Association has developed a list of common warning signs, which include memory ...