N15: Alzheimer’s Disease: Toward Prevention

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Course Overview

CE Hours

3 CE Credits

Course Description

Alzheimer’s Disease Prevention examines the physiological processes underlying Alzheimer’s disease and the lifestyle and medical strategies that may slow or prevent its progression. This course covers the nature and epidemiology of AD, the step-by-step physiological processes of amyloid beta formation, fibril formation, plaque buildup, and neuron death, and the current state of prevention research including medications under development and lifestyle-based strategies. Learners will develop the ability to describe the physiological changes resulting in plaque formation, identify the symptoms of the disease, and analyze interventions that may slow or prevent it.

Disclaimer: This course is for general background information for nurses and other health professionals. It was compiled mainly from existing research and university documents and should not be used as an authoritative document for prevention.

Course Learning Objectives

At the end of this course, learners will be able to:

  • Identify daily health practices and lifestyle strategies that may contribute to the prevention or slowing of Alzheimer’s disease
  • Describe Alzheimer’s disease as the most common form of dementia and explain its epidemiology including age of onset and prevalence statistics
  • Identify the early and late-stage symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease
  • Describe the physiological process of amyloid beta (A-beta) formation and its role in plaque development
  • Explain how fibril formation and tau phosphorylation contribute to neurofibrillary tangles and neuron death
  • Describe the process of plaque formation and buildup in the brain and its impact on memory and cognition
  • Explain the role of glutamate in the late stages of Alzheimer’s disease and its effect on memory
  • Describe the current state of Alzheimer’s prevention research including medications and lifestyle strategies under investigation

Course Format and Faculty

Course Format:

Online linked resources and lectures available anytime, 24/7. Includes one multiple-choice exam taken at the end of the course. A passing grade of 75% is required. Upon passing, learners may print their certificate immediately.

Course Developers and Instructors:

R. Klimes, PhD, MPH (Johns Hopkins University) is a scholar and author in health-related research, health behaviors, ethics, end-of-life care, and overall wellness. He has written numerous research reports and books and has held academic and leadership roles in higher education and public health internationally.

Course Time:

Approximately 3 hours for online study, test taking, course evaluation feedback, and certificate printing.