University of Wisconsin–Madison

Treatment, Pharmaceuticals and Clinical Trials Episodes

Episodes with the latest updates in Alzheimer’s and dementia treatments and clinical trials.

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“I see global prevention trials as the key to finding treatments. I think that is what is going to change public health landscapes both for families and individuals, because we do it through improved health equity.”

  • Addressing Cochrane’s Review on Amyloid-Targeting Treatments for Alzheimer’s Disease

    Addressing Cochrane’s Review on Amyloid-Targeting Treatments for Alzheimer’s Disease

    Amyloid-targeting monoclonal antibody treatments have ushered in a new era of Alzheimer’s disease therapies after decades of research and clinical trials. A recent review published by Cochrane, a global, independent, non-profit network of researchers, professionals, patients and carers regarded as a gold standard for producing and…

  • Unpacking the U.S. POINTER Study

    Unpacking the U.S. POINTER Study

    The U.S. POINTER study is one of the first large-scale, randomized controlled clinical trials to focus on how lifestyle interventions impact dementia risk and cognitive decline. On a special bonus episode of Dementia Matters, Dr. Laura Baker joins the podcast to explain how the clinical trial…

  • Training for Clinical Trials with the IMPACT-AD Program

    Training for Clinical Trials with the IMPACT-AD Program

    Are you a researcher interested in getting involved in Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias (ADRD) clinical trials? The Institute on Methods and Protocols for Advancement of Clinical Trials in ADRD, or IMPACT-AD, program brings investigators from around the world together for a week of professional development…

  • Clarifying the Alzheimer’s Disease Clinical Trials Landscape

    Clarifying the Alzheimer’s Disease Clinical Trials Landscape

    Clinical trials are essential for improving the lives of those diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias. With so many trials out there, it can be difficult for someone who’s interested in participating in research to know where to start. Dr. Jonathan Graff-Radford joins the podcast…

  • Getting AHEAD of Alzheimer’s with Inclusive Clinical Trials

    Getting AHEAD of Alzheimer’s with Inclusive Clinical Trials

    Dementia Matters Special Series: Voices of Research Participants When Ms. Carol Turner found out her family had a history of Alzheimer’s disease, she wanted to know how she could help herself and others with similar experiences. After learning about the AHEAD Study, which is testing a…

  • Making an IMPACT: Advancing Alzheimer’s Disease Clinical Trials Through Workforce Development and Inclusivity

    Making an IMPACT: Advancing Alzheimer’s Disease Clinical Trials Through Workforce Development and Inclusivity

    Advances in Alzheimer’s disease clinical trials are accelerating rapidly, leading to new insights and disease-modifying therapies, but how does the field continue bolstering that momentum? For Dr. Rema Raman, it’s through improving inclusivity and training for early-career researchers. Recorded at the 2024 Alzheimer’s Disease & Related…

  • Looking at Lecanemab’s Eligibility Guidelines and Prescription Process

    Looking at Lecanemab’s Eligibility Guidelines and Prescription Process

    In the past few years, new therapies shown to slow the progression of Alzheimer’s disease in people in the early stages of the disease have been making their way through the U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) approval process. With these treatments now available, there are…

  • Could Green Tea Hold the Key to New Alzheimer’s Treatments?

    Could Green Tea Hold the Key to New Alzheimer’s Treatments?

    Dr. Paul Seidler joins the podcast to discuss his recent study looking at the connection between molecules in green tea and tau proteins. He also discusses the impact those molecules have on preventing cognitive decline and how these findings could lead to new strategies for treating…

  • Putting Lecanemab into Practice: A Clinician’s Perspective on the New Alzheimer’s Treatment

    Putting Lecanemab into Practice: A Clinician’s Perspective on the New Alzheimer’s Treatment

    On July 6, 2023, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) granted full approval for the Alzheimer’s disease drug Leqembi (lecanemab-irmb), the first medicine shown to delay the course of the disease. Having gone through a rigorous approval process, the medication exemplifies a critical advancement in…

  • Lecanemab, Clinical Trials, and the Importance of Clinical Meaningfulness

    Lecanemab, Clinical Trials, and the Importance of Clinical Meaningfulness

    On June 9, 2023, the Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) advisory committee unanimously voted to approve lecanemab, moving the treatment one step closer to full FDA approval. In the lead up to the FDA’s official announcement expected in early July, Dr. Paul Aisen joins the podcast…

  • A Closer Look At The Lecanemab Clinical Trials

    A Closer Look At The Lecanemab Clinical Trials

    In a special episode of Dementia Matters, Drs. Cynthia Carlsson and Sterling Johnson join the podcast to discuss what they know from lecanemab’s clinical trials following the U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) accelerated approval, granted on January 6, 2023. Guests: Cynthia Carlsson, MD, MS, director, Wisconsin…

  • Introducing Lecanemab, the Latest Alzheimer’s Disease Drug to Receive FDA Accelerated Approval

    Introducing Lecanemab, the Latest Alzheimer’s Disease Drug to Receive FDA Accelerated Approval

    Host Nathaniel Chin, MD, gives an overview of the new Alzheimer’s treatment Leqembi (lecanemab), and highlights results from the second and third phases of its clinical trials. On January 6, 2023, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved Leqembi (lecanemab-irmb) via the Accelerated Approval pathway for the treatment…

  • Breaking Down Medicare’s Proposed Decision on Aducanumab and Monoclonal Antibody Treatments

    Breaking Down Medicare’s Proposed Decision on Aducanumab and Monoclonal Antibody Treatments

    On January 11, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) announced its much-anticipated coverage proposal for monoclonal antibody treatments that target amyloid for the treatment of Alzheimer’s disease. According to the proposed policy, this class of drugs, which includes aducanumab, also known by the brand…

  • Nasal Vaccine for Alzheimer’s Disease Enters Clinical Trial

    Nasal Vaccine for Alzheimer’s Disease Enters Clinical Trial

    In November 2021, Brigham and Women’s Hospital in Boston launched the first human trial of a nasal vaccine for Alzheimer’s disease. Nearly 20 years of research went into developing the vaccine, which uses the immune system to clear Alzheimer’s disease-related proteins from the brain. Lead researcher…

  • How Close Are We to Curing Alzheimer’s Disease?

    How Close Are We to Curing Alzheimer’s Disease?

    For our 100th episode of Dementia Matters, Nina Silverberg, PhD, director of the Alzheimer’s Disease Research Centers (ADRC) Program at the National Institute on Aging (NIA), joins the podcast to offer an overview of the ADRC Program as well as insight into the state of Alzheimer’s…

  • Medication Management Tips for Seniors

    Medication Management Tips for Seniors

    Our guest discusses a wide range of pharmacological topics of interest to the aging adult and caregivers, from medication reconciliation to sleep aids to addressing how some drugs affect memory and thinking skills. Guest: Robert Breslow, pharmacist, associate professor at the University of Wisconsin School of…

  • Approaching Alzheimer’s Disease as a Preventable Condition

    Approaching Alzheimer’s Disease as a Preventable Condition

    Rarely are the steps to prevent Alzheimer’s disease and dementia discussed thoroughly. On this week’s episode, Dr. William Shankle, a neurologist specialized in the diagnosis, treatment and management of Alzheimer’s disease, discusses how management of lifestyle and other health conditions can reduce the rate of accumulation of Alzheimer’s…

  • New Approaches Yield Promise for Future of Alzheimer’s Disease Drug Trials

    New Approaches Yield Promise for Future of Alzheimer’s Disease Drug Trials

    For decades, researchers from around the world have been working to find a cure for Alzheimer’s disease. Dr. Sanjay Asthana explains the challenges Alzheimer’s disease drug trials have faced and introduces us to new, promising approaches to stopping or delaying the disease. Guest: Sanjay Asthana, MD,…

  • Identification and Treatment of Swallowing Disorders in Older Adults

    Identification and Treatment of Swallowing Disorders in Older Adults

    As we age, swallowing foods and liquids can become harder to do. When someone has trouble swallowing, it is defined as dysphagia. Dr. Nicole Pulia discusses dysphagia and its signs, effects, treatments, and relation to Alzheimer’s disease. Guest: Nicole Pulia, PhD, CCC-SLP, Assistant Professor of Geriatrics,…

  • New Study Looks at Fish Oil for Alzheimer’s Disease Prevention in Veterans

    New Study Looks at Fish Oil for Alzheimer’s Disease Prevention in Veterans

    Veterans are at a higher risk for Alzheimer’s disease than the general population. A new clinical trial is looking at the effect prescription fish oil has on brain health in veterans and will determine whether the supplement could be used as an effective prevention treatment for…