Section - Quick Takes

04. New Approaches to Symptomatic Treatments for Alzheimer’s Disease

Published on June 1, 2021 Expired on April 1, 2024

James Phelps, M.D.

Research Editor - Psychopharmacology Institute

Key Points

Many new medications for the treatment of Alzheimer's symptoms (e.g., insomnia, psychosis, apathy, agitation) and preservation of cognitive function have reached phase II and phase III trials. One of them, oligomannate, has been approved for clinical use in China. How is oligomannate thought to work? It reduces brain inflammation by treating "gut dysbiosis."

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Once Alzheimer’s disease has reached its symptomatic stages, the experience can be devastating for the patient and their family members. Cholinesterase inhibitors like donepezil can help a little for a while. But is there any hope for better treatments for this increasingly prevalent problem?

Hi! Jim Phelps here for the Psychopharmacology Institute. The bottom line of a new article on this question from geriatric specialist Jeffrey Cummings is yes, progress is being made. For example, there are medications for major Alzheimer’s symptoms, such as insomnia, psychosis, apathy and agitation, with 4 drugs in phase II and 7 in phase III trials. Of course, the other major problem in Alzheimer’s is failing memory and deteriorating cognitive ability.

So, another research effort is focused on the development of cognitive enhancers, medications which target preservation of cognitive function, and 6 such medications are in phase II trials, while 4 are in phase III.

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05. Risk of Suicide Among Patients With Parkinson Disease

Learning Objectives:

After completing this activity, the learner will be able to:

Review clinical presentations of neuroleptic malignant syndrome and serotonin syndrome as considerations in a patient presenting with malignant hyperthermia.
Consider the implications of post-marketing adverse events reported for users of esketamine.
Observe the correlations between white matter hyperintensities and select psychiatric symptoms, particularly apathy and fatigue versus depression and anxiety.
Examine data on new treatment options for symptomatic Alzheimer's disease by learning about medications in Phase 2 and Phase 3 trials.
Examine the assumptions behind studies of suicide rates in terms of ethical principles, including beneficence and autonomy.

Original Release Date: 06/01/2021

Review Date: 03/01/2024

Expiration Date: 04/01/2024

Relevant Financial Disclosures:

The following planners, faculty, and reviewers have the following relevant financial relationships with commercial interests to disclose:

Dr. Phelps has disclosed the following relationships:

McGraw-Hill: book on bipolar disorder
W.W. Norton & Co.: books on bipolar disorder

All of the relevant financial relationships listed for these individuals have been mitigated.

Contact Information: For questions regarding the content or access to this activity, contact us at support@psychopharmacologyinstitute.com

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