From Critique to Consensus: Quantifying & Clarifying Expert Perspectives on the Future Management of Alzheimer's Disease (Credit Expired)

Alzheimer's Disease (AD) is a unique condition in that it is widely researched with substantial representation in the literature, and yet still so much remains unknown or without consensus. With the field at a tipping point of biomarker and therapeutic developments, this activity attempts to provide neurologists, psychiatrists and other dementia clinicians with education that is both relevant and forward thinking. Should the field continue to evolve in the projected manner, these practitioners will need to be prepared for the multitude of considerations that will become relevant to contemporary practice.

In November of 2020, 26 renowned AD specialists completed a questionnaire documenting their perspectives on several of the most deeply debated and evolving issues in the field. In this activity, three of these experts — Drs Marwan Sabbagh, Amanda Smith, and Richard Isaacson — discuss opinions of those surveyed as well as their own on each of these highly contested topics such as the most prominent drivers of AD and the potential role of amyloid-targeting agents. Using video- and text-based elements, this intervention is designed to not only keep knowledge up to date but also prepare learners for a potential paradigm shift in the way AD is managed in the clinic.

Part 1 will focus on the way our understanding of AD pathophysiology has evolved and the most widely held viewpoints among modern dementia specialists.

Part 2 will focus on the treatments currently available for AD contrasted with the rising agents that have the potential to enter the treatment armamentarium in the near future.

Part 3 will focus on the role of biomarkers in AD diagnosis and monitoring as well as the expanded need for these methods should a disease-specific therapy be approved.

Target Audience

This activity is intended for neurologists, psychiatrists and other clinicians involved in the care of patients with AD.

Learning Objectives

1. Assess the fundamental principles and current status of the amyloid hypothesis including historical obstacles associated with evaluating amyloid targeting disease modifying therapies (DMTs) – to appraise its potential utility and limitations in guiding AD diagnostic and clinical strategy.

2. Identify the potential utility of a biomarker-based approach to AD management in order to understand how such strategies may be integrated into practice in the event that targeted therapies become available.

3. Assess patient factors that may affect eligibility for treatment with amyloid-targeted DMTs to determine for which patients this strategy holds the most promise if approved.

4. Evaluate expert opinions of and available Phase 2/3 data with amyloid-targeting DMTs to assess their potential role in future patient management.

5. Recognize the role of existing and emerging biomarkers in the categorization and monitoring of AD and use this information to identify how this could be implemented in future AD management should such tools become more accessible.

Course summary

Course opens:

01/27/2021

Course expires:

01/27/2025

Cost:

$0.00

Rating:

Marwan Sabbagh, MD (Chair)

Director, Lou Ruvo Center for Brain Health

Cleveland Clinic

Las Vegas, Nevada

Amanda Smith, MD

Director, Clinical Research at Byrd Alzheimer’s Institute

University of South Florida

Tampa, Florida

Richard Isaacson, MD

Director, Alzheimer’s Prevention Clinic

Weill Cornell Medical College/New York Presbyterian Hospital

New York, New York

Credit for this program has expired. The accreditation information below is based on the activity release date.

This activity is jointly provided by Postgraduate Institute for Medicine and Efficient LLC.

Accreditation Statement

In support of improving patient care, this activity has been planned and implemented by the Postgraduate Institute for Medicine (PIM) and Efficient LLC. Postgraduate Institute for Medicine 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.

Designation Statement

PIM designates this enduring material for a maximum of 1.75 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit(s)™. Physicians should claim only the credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.

Conflict of Interest Disclosure Policy

Disclosures

PIM requires instructors, planners, managers, and other individuals who are in a position to control the content of this activity to disclose any real or apparent conflict of interest (COI) they may have as related to the content of this activity. All identified COI are thoroughly vetted and resolved according to PIM policy. PIM is committed to providing its learners with high quality activities and related materials that promote improvements or quality in healthcare and not a specific proprietary business interest of a commercial interest.

Planners' and Managers' Disclosure

PIM planners and managers have nothing to disclose. Efficient LLC planners and managers have nothing to disclose.

Faculty Disclosures:

Dr Sabbagh reported the following financial relationships:

Royalty: Harper Collins
Consulting Fees: Acadia Pharmaceuticals Inc., Alzheon, Biogen Inc., Cortexyme Inc., Danone, Genentech/Roche, Neurotrope Inc., Stage 2 Innovations
Contracted Research: Keep Memory Alive Foundation, National Institutes of Health
Fees for Non-CME/CE Services: Health and Wellness Partners, Joyce Knapp Communications
Ownership Interest (<5%): Athira, Brain Health Inc., Optimal Cognitive Health Co., NeuroTau Inc., NeuroReserve Inc., uMethod Health Inc., Versanum Inc.

Dr Smith reported the following financial relationships:

Contracted Research: AbbVie Inc., Biogen Inc., Biohaven Pharmaceuticals Inc., Eisai, Janssen Pharmaceuticals Inc., Lilly, NeuroEM Therapeutics Inc., Novartis

Dr Isaacson reported no financial relationships.

Disclosure of Unlabeled Use

This educational activity may contain discussion of published and/or investigational uses of agents that are not indicated by the FDA. The planners of this activity do 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 the planners. Please refer to the official prescribing information for each product for discussion of approved indications, contraindications, and warnings.

Disclaimer

Participants have an implied responsibility to use the newly acquired information to enhance patient outcomes and their own professional development. The information presented in this activity is not meant to serve as a guideline for patient management. Any procedures, medications, or other courses of diagnosis or treatment discussed or suggested in this activity should not be used by clinicians without evaluation of their patient's conditions and possible contraindications and/or dangers in use, review of any applicable manufacturer's product information, and comparison with recommendations of other authorities.