ADVANCED PATHOPHARMACOLOGICAL
FOUNDATIONS 2 COMPLETE STUDY GUIDE
2026
◉ How is Alzheimer's treated? Answer: - There is no cure, but there
are pharmacological and non-pharmacological treatments
- Cholinesterase inhibitors
- Memantine (namenda)
◉ What are cholinesterase inhibitors prescribed for? Answer: - To
treat symptoms related to memory, thinking, language, judgment,
and other processes
- Helps delay or slow the worsening of symptoms
◉ What does cholinesterase inhibitors do? Answer: - Prevent the
breakdown of acetylcholine, a chemical messenger that is important
for learning and memory
- Supports communication among nerve cells by keeping the
acetylcholine high
◉ What are some commonly prescribed cholinesterase inhibitors?
Answer: - Donepezil (aricept)
- Galantamine (razadyne)
,- Rivastigmine (exeleon)
◉ Which cholinesterase inhibitor can be used for all stages of
Alzheimer's? Answer: - Donepezil (aricept)
◉ Which cholinesterase inhibitor can be used for mild-to-moderate
stages of Alzheimer's? Answer: - Galantamine (razadyne)
- Rivastigmine (exeleon)
◉ Which cholinesterase inhibitor can be used for mild-to-moderate
Alzheimer's and Parkinson's? Answer: - Rivastigmine (exeleon)
◉ What medication combination is used to treat moderate-to-severe
Alzheimer's? Answer: - Memantine (namenda) and donepezil
(aricept)
◉ What is memantine (namenda) used for? Answer: - Prescribed to
improve memory, attention, reason, language, and the ability to
perform simple tasks
- Can be used alone or with other Alzheimer's disease treatments
◉ How does memantine (namenda) work? Answer: - Regulates the
activity of glutamate, a chemical involved in information processing,
storage, and retrieval
,- Improves mental functioning and ability to perform daily activities
for some people
◉ What is the difference in MOA between cholinesterase inhibitors
and memantine (namenda)? Answer: - Cholinesterase inhibitors
prevent the breakdown of acetylcholine, whereas memantine
(namenda) regulates the activity of glutamate
◉ What is ataxia? Answer: - Also known as cerebellum attacks
- Degenerative disease of the nervous system
- Many symptoms mimic those of being drunk (i.e. slurred speech,
stumbling, falling, and incoordination)
◉ What causes the symptoms of ataxia? Answer: - The damage
caused to the cerebellum, the part of the brain that is responsible for
coordinating movements
- Can also be caused by damage to part of the spinal cord and nerves
◉ What is the treatment for ataxia? Answer: - No treatment
- In some cases, treating the underlying causes (i.e. stopping
medications that cause ataxia)
- In other cases, it is a result from chicken pox or other viral
infections (likely to resolve on its own)
- Genetic causes/predisposed disposition is usually chronic
, ◉ What causes ataxia in the pediatric population? Answer: - Genetic
predisposition
- Fragile X-Associated Tremor/Ataxia Syndrome (FXTAS)
- Prader-Willie Syndrome
◉ What is Fragile X syndrome (FXS)? Answer: - A genetic condition
inherited from parents which results in various developmental
problems
- Rare, but may be dangerous or life-threatening
- Present at birth and is a lifelong condition
- Rarely requires lab testing or imaging
- Often linked to autism (1/3 do have autism)
- X-linked disorder
◉ Since Fragile X Syndrome (FXS) is an X-linked disorder, does a
specific gender have a greater risk? Answer: - Often, females are
carriers and males are affected
- However, both males and females can be carriers, and both can be
affected by the condition
- Usually milder in females
◉ How did Fragile X Syndrome (FXS) get its name? Answer: - The
gene Fragile X (the FMR1 gene) is on the X syndrome
FOUNDATIONS 2 COMPLETE STUDY GUIDE
2026
◉ How is Alzheimer's treated? Answer: - There is no cure, but there
are pharmacological and non-pharmacological treatments
- Cholinesterase inhibitors
- Memantine (namenda)
◉ What are cholinesterase inhibitors prescribed for? Answer: - To
treat symptoms related to memory, thinking, language, judgment,
and other processes
- Helps delay or slow the worsening of symptoms
◉ What does cholinesterase inhibitors do? Answer: - Prevent the
breakdown of acetylcholine, a chemical messenger that is important
for learning and memory
- Supports communication among nerve cells by keeping the
acetylcholine high
◉ What are some commonly prescribed cholinesterase inhibitors?
Answer: - Donepezil (aricept)
- Galantamine (razadyne)
,- Rivastigmine (exeleon)
◉ Which cholinesterase inhibitor can be used for all stages of
Alzheimer's? Answer: - Donepezil (aricept)
◉ Which cholinesterase inhibitor can be used for mild-to-moderate
stages of Alzheimer's? Answer: - Galantamine (razadyne)
- Rivastigmine (exeleon)
◉ Which cholinesterase inhibitor can be used for mild-to-moderate
Alzheimer's and Parkinson's? Answer: - Rivastigmine (exeleon)
◉ What medication combination is used to treat moderate-to-severe
Alzheimer's? Answer: - Memantine (namenda) and donepezil
(aricept)
◉ What is memantine (namenda) used for? Answer: - Prescribed to
improve memory, attention, reason, language, and the ability to
perform simple tasks
- Can be used alone or with other Alzheimer's disease treatments
◉ How does memantine (namenda) work? Answer: - Regulates the
activity of glutamate, a chemical involved in information processing,
storage, and retrieval
,- Improves mental functioning and ability to perform daily activities
for some people
◉ What is the difference in MOA between cholinesterase inhibitors
and memantine (namenda)? Answer: - Cholinesterase inhibitors
prevent the breakdown of acetylcholine, whereas memantine
(namenda) regulates the activity of glutamate
◉ What is ataxia? Answer: - Also known as cerebellum attacks
- Degenerative disease of the nervous system
- Many symptoms mimic those of being drunk (i.e. slurred speech,
stumbling, falling, and incoordination)
◉ What causes the symptoms of ataxia? Answer: - The damage
caused to the cerebellum, the part of the brain that is responsible for
coordinating movements
- Can also be caused by damage to part of the spinal cord and nerves
◉ What is the treatment for ataxia? Answer: - No treatment
- In some cases, treating the underlying causes (i.e. stopping
medications that cause ataxia)
- In other cases, it is a result from chicken pox or other viral
infections (likely to resolve on its own)
- Genetic causes/predisposed disposition is usually chronic
, ◉ What causes ataxia in the pediatric population? Answer: - Genetic
predisposition
- Fragile X-Associated Tremor/Ataxia Syndrome (FXTAS)
- Prader-Willie Syndrome
◉ What is Fragile X syndrome (FXS)? Answer: - A genetic condition
inherited from parents which results in various developmental
problems
- Rare, but may be dangerous or life-threatening
- Present at birth and is a lifelong condition
- Rarely requires lab testing or imaging
- Often linked to autism (1/3 do have autism)
- X-linked disorder
◉ Since Fragile X Syndrome (FXS) is an X-linked disorder, does a
specific gender have a greater risk? Answer: - Often, females are
carriers and males are affected
- However, both males and females can be carriers, and both can be
affected by the condition
- Usually milder in females
◉ How did Fragile X Syndrome (FXS) get its name? Answer: - The
gene Fragile X (the FMR1 gene) is on the X syndrome
