Pulse: The Silent Symptom: Treating Apathy in Dementia

February 19, 2026

Apathy is a common and often underrecognized neuropsychiatric symptom in patients with dementia and is associated with worse functional outcomes and caregiver burden. Despite its prevalence, there is limited consensus regarding the role of pharmacologic treatment for apathy in dementia. This presentation will address gaps in pharmacist knowledge by reviewing the available evidence for pharmacologic therapies and their clinical implications in this patient population.

Target Audience

Pharmacist

Learning Objectives

1. Define apathy in dementia and distinguish it from other neuropsychiatric symptoms.

2. Identify pharmacologic agents that have been studied for the treatment of apathy in dementia.

3. Discuss the current evidence, limitations, and safety considerations of pharmacologic therapies for apathy in patients with dementia.

Course summary
Available credit: 
  • 1.00 ACPE Pharmacy
    The UPMC Center for Continuing Education in the Health Sciences is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE) as a Provider of continuing pharmacy education.
Course opens: 
02/19/2026
Course expires: 
03/05/2026
Event starts: 
02/19/2026 - 12:00pm EST
Event ends: 
02/19/2026 - 1:00pm EST

Apathy is a common and often underrecognized neuropsychiatric symptom in patients with dementia and is associated with worse functional outcomes and caregiver burden. Despite its prevalence, there is limited consensus regarding the role of pharmacologic treatment for apathy in dementia. This presentation will address gaps in pharmacist knowledge by reviewing the available evidence for pharmacologic therapies and their clinical implications in this patient population.

UPMC Mercy
Pittsburgh, PA
United States

Sophia Stewart, PharmD

 

In support of improving patient care, the University of Pittsburgh is jointly accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME), the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE), and the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC), to provide continuing education for the healthcare team.

 

Pharmacy (CPE)

This knowledge-based activity provides 1.0 contact hours of continuing pharmacy education credit.

 

Available Credit

  • 1.00 ACPE Pharmacy
    The UPMC Center for Continuing Education in the Health Sciences is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE) as a Provider of continuing pharmacy education.
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