Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis

Program length: 0.1 CEU
Target audiences: Pharmacists
Knowledge based activity

EXPIRES: June 7, 2014

This course requires completion of survey and a 70% passing quiz grade to receive certificate.

Universal Activity Number: 0048-0000-11-032-H01-P

Course Cost: $10

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Description:

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a progressive neurodegenerative muscular disease that predominately occurs in the adult population. The disease has also been known as motor neuron disease, Charcot’s disease, and Lou Gehrig’s disease.1 Prevalence of ALS is approximately 20% higher in men than it is in women. ALS is increasing in incidence at a rate that is faster than can be explained by the aging population. It is estimated that 5600 new cases of ALS are diagnosed each year in the United States, and that around 30,000 people may have the disease at any given time. ALS affects between 1.2 and 1.8 per 100,000 individuals. However, as this number takes into account the entire U.S. population, and ALS is a disease that most commonly presents later in a patient’s life; this number is heavily skewed when it comes to overall risk.

Objectives:

At the completion of this program, the participant will be able to:

1. Describe and differentiate between the three types of ALS.
2. Describe the process used to diagnose ALS.
3. Explain the perceived mechanism of action for riluzole.
4. Discuss the factors thought to have an influence on the pathogenesis of ALS.
5. List several treatment modalities that may improve the quality of life for ALS patients.
6. Describe the role of a pharmacist in the life of an ALS patient.