Neurodegenerative Diseases: ALS, Huntington Disease, Friedrich’s Ataxia & Batten Disease

Course Description & Information:

• Neurodegenerative diseases consist of a broad assortment of conditions, which are progressive, and cause disruption of neuron transmission, leading to cognitive and motor deficits in patients. These diseases many times lead ultimately to fatal outcomes, often due to indirect sequelae from the central pathophysiology of each disease. One very common dilemma associated with neurodegenerative diseases is the failure to remove intracellular metabolic waste products from distinctive cells, leading to accumulating toxic effects in tissues, which manifest overtly through identifiable mental and/or physical symptoms. These diseases often have identified genetic causes or contribution, leading research into the field of gene therapy as potential robust treatment options. Until the complete pictures of causes and pathophysiologies of these diseases are more completely understood, more traditional treatment options are the mainstay, and are mostly aimed at alleviating symptoms, rather than correcting the core problems. This course will focus on the four diseases of Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS), Huntington Disease (HD), Friedreich Ataxia (FA, FRDA), and Neuronal Ceroid Lipofuscinoses (NCLs, Batten Disease).
• Pharmacist information: ACPE UAN: 0826-9999-24-013-L01-P, IRD: 10-23-2024. Knowledge based activity.
• Nursing Pharmacy Hours: 2 contact hours.

• Describe symptoms of each, and how some are similar, while others differ.
• Explain the courses of each, and the outcomes expected for patients.
• Describe their pathophysiologies.
• Discuss known and suspected genetic and/or environmental causes.
• Examine current drug treatment choices for patients.
• Project future treatments that may evolve for each.

Course Credit: 2 Contact Hours

Accreditations: View Course Accreditations

Who Should Attend:

Pharmacists, Nursing professionals, Physical Therapy and Occupational Therapy professionals, Dietitians, and other medical professionals.

Certificate Requirements:

• Full attendance.
• Completion of course post-test (70%) and evaluation.

How to Take a Live Online Seminar: View Tutorial