Exploring Advances in the Early Diagnosis and Treatment of Alzheimer Disease

STATEMENT OF NEED

Alzheimer disease, the most common form of dementia among older adults, is a slowly progressive neurogenerative disease that affects approximately 6 million Americans aged 65 and older (Rajan et al, 2021). Symptoms of Alzheimer disease include memory loss, confusion, impulsive behavior, difficulty with language, mood and personality changes, hallucinations, and increased anxiety or aggression, with severe symptoms such as physical decline, difficulty swallowing, and inability to communicate developing as the disease progresses into its final stages (NIA, 2023). While new therapeutic agents have recently emerged to slow the progression of Alzheimer disease by targeting its underlying causes, the disease remains incurable, and the demands of day-to-day care place significant strain on both patients and their families and caregivers. Therefore, it is critical that clinicians remain up to date on early diagnosis, emerging treatment modalities, and supportive care services in order to provide optimal care for their patients. This activity chaired by Nathaniel Chin, MD, Associate Professor of Medicine in the Division of Geriatrics and Gerontology at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, will explore advances in the diagnosis and treatment of Alzheimer disease.

TARGET AUDIENCE

Geriatricians, neurologists, primary care physicians, psychiatrists, psychogeriatricians, nurse practitioners, physician assistants, nurses, and other health care professionals (HCPs) involved in the treatment of patients with Alzheimer disease (AD).

LEARNING OBJECTIVES

Utilize diagnostic methods that enable the timely identification of early Alzheimer disease (AD)
Evaluate the clinical utility of novel and emerging DMTs for the treatment of individual patients with early AD
Apply strategies to enhance interdisciplinary care for patients with early AD