CE on Neuropsychiatric Symptoms in Parkinsons Disease

A CPNP co-sponsored educational activity, Managing the Neuropsychiatric Manifestations of PD: An Update for Pharmacists and Nurses, will be presented via webcast and repeated at 4 times for your convenience in identifying a time that works best for you. This, complimentary, knowledge-based activity is approved for 1.5 contact hours of ACPE credit and is designed to provide psychiatric pharmacist and nurse specialists with the most up-to-date treatment strategies to optimize management and improve outcomes for PD patients experiencing neuropsychiatric symptoms. Through interactive case-based presentations and expert discussion, this activity will review current and novel therapies for neuropsychiatric symptoms of patients with PD as well as strategies to manage their adverse events and drug-drug interactions (DDIs).

Neuropsychiatric symptoms are common non-motor manifestations of patients with Parkinson’s disease (PD) that worsen the cognitive progression of the disease and represent a major clinical challenge. Evidence suggests that more than 60% of PD patients have one or more psychiatric symptoms, yet they are often under-recognized in clinical practice. Even when recognized by healthcare providers, managing patients with these symptoms can be challenging due to the complexity of their medication regimens, unmet treatment needs, potential adverse events, drug-drug interactions (DDIs), and possible worsening of both motor and non-motor symptoms. 

Learning objectives

1. Recognize the prevalence of neuropsychiatric symptoms in PD and their impact on disease burden.
2. Evaluate current and novel treatment options for the various neuropsychiatric symptoms.
3. Discuss the role of psychiatric nurses and pharmacists in managing the neuropsychiatric symptoms of PD.
4. Assess strategies to minimize the impact adverse events and DDIs have on patient outcomes.

Faculty

Jack J. Chen, PharmD, FASCP, FCCP, BCPS, BCGP
Chair and Professor – Department of Pharmacy Practice
College of Pharmacy
Marshall B. Ketchum University
Fullerton, California

Dawn M. Vanderhoef, PhD, DNP, PMHNP-BC, FAANP
Assistant Professor and Academic Director, PMHNP Program
Assistant Professor of Psychiatry
Vanderbilt University School of Nursing
Nashville, Tennessee