Course Description
Behavioral and psychological symptoms of dementia (BPSD) are among the most challenging and distressing manifestations of neurocognitive disorders, requiring clinicians to balance meaningful symptom improvement with significant medication-related risks. This session will review the clinical presentation of BPSD and examine the evidence supporting current and emerging pharmacologic treatment strategies, including recently approved medications and their evolving role in care. Participants will compare the safety and efficacy of available medications across dementia-related conditions and Parkinson disease psychosis, while considering patient-specific factors that influence treatment selection. Attendees will leave with practical strategies for developing individualized treatment plans that optimize outcomes while minimizing adverse effects in this medically complex population.
Learning Objectives
- Describe clinical features of behavioral and psychological symptoms of dementia (BPSD) associated with neurocognitive disorders.
- Analyze safety and efficacy of pharmacotherapy in BPSD.
- Choose an individualized treatment plan for patients with BPSD.
Target Audience
If you are a pharmacist, nurse practitioner, or other health care professional involved in the comprehensive medication management of individuals living with mental health and/or substance use disorders, we invite you to participate in this online course.
Faculty
View biographical information
Monica Mathys, PharmD, BCGP, BCPP, FAAPP
Professor of Pharmacy Practice & Clinical Pharmacist Practitioner
Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center School of Pharmacy & VA North Texas Healthcare System
Dallas, TX
Dr. Monica Mathys earned her Doctor of Pharmacy degree from the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences. After graduation, she completed a Geriatric Pharmacy Specialty Residency with the Central Arkansas Veterans Healthcare System. Since completing her residency, Dr. Mathys has continued to work in academia and is currently a Professor of Pharmacy Practice with Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center (TTUHSC). Her primary area of research and scholarship is geriatric psychiatry.
In addition to her teaching responsibilities, Dr. Mathys has provided clinical pharmacy services at long-term dementia care units in both the community setting and within the VA system. She currently serves as a Clinical Pharmacy Practitioner in Mental Health at the VA North Texas Healthcare System (VANTHCS) and has been in this position for the last 20 years. She provides clinical services to the inpatient team and works as a provider under a scope of practice within the Geriatric Mental Health Outpatient Clinic.
Course Requirements
To receive ACPE credit for this session, you must:
- Register for this course.
- Review the full content of the activity and reflect upon its teachings.
- Complete the evaluation at the end of the activity.
- Provide the necessary details in your profile to ensure correct reporting by AAPP to CPE Monitor.
Continuing Education Credit and Disclosures
Activity Dates: 4/5/2027-4/5/2030
ACPE Contact Hours: 1.0
ACPE Number: 0284-0000-##-###-###-P (Application)
Nursing Credit Reminder: Note that ACPE credit is accepted for ANCC Certification Renewal and AANPCB advanced practice provider content. For specific questions related to your organization's acceptance of ACPE continuing education units, please contact your organization directly.
The American Association of Psychiatric Pharmacists is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education as a provider of continuing pharmacy education.
View AAPP's Disclaimer and Disclosure Declarations
AAPP Disclaimer: Participants have an implied responsibility to use the newly acquired information to enhance patient outcomes and their own professional development. 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 on dangers in use, review of any applicable manufacturer’s product information, and comparison with recommendations of other authorities. Please refer to the official prescribing information for each product for discussion of approved indications, contraindications, and warnings.
Unlabeled Use Disclosure: Faculty of this CE activity may include discussions of products or devices that are not currently labeled for use by the FDA. The faculty have been informed of their responsibility to disclose to the audience if they will be discussing off-label or investigational uses (any uses not approved by the FDA) of products or devices. The faculty, planners, and American Association of Psychiatric Pharmacists do not endorse the use of any product outside of the FDA labeled indications. Medical professionals should not utilize the procedures, products, or diagnosis techniques discussed during this activity without evaluation of their patient for contraindications or dangers of use.
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It is the policy of AAPP to ensure independence, balance, objectivity, scientific rigor, and integrity in continuing education activities. Those involved in the development of this continuing education activity have made all reasonable efforts to ensure that information contained herein is accurate in accordance with the latest available scientific knowledge at the time of accreditation of this continuing education activity. Information regarding drugs (e.g., their administration, dosages, contraindications, adverse reactions, interactions, special warnings, and precautions) and drug delivery systems is subject to change, however, and the reader is advised to check the manufacturer’s package insert for information concerning recommended dosage and potential problems or cautions prior to dispensing or administering the drug or using the drug delivery systems.
Fair balance is achieved through ongoing and thorough review of all materials produced by faculty, and all educational and advertising materials produced by supporting organizations, prior to educational offerings. Approval of credit for this continuing education activity does not imply endorsement by AAPP for any product or manufacturer identified.