University of Wisconsin–Madison

Episode Catalogue

Making Sense of Microplastics: New Research Looks at How Microplastics Build Up in the Brain and Body

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Microplastics are a growing concern in the field of environmental health, but their impact on the brain is only beginning to be understood. Joining the podcast to share the latest research on these tiny particles, which have been found in the brain and other parts of the body, is Dr. Matthew Campen, a leading researcher in the field whose work is helping to uncover how environmental exposures like the accumulation of microplastics could affect neurological health, dementia risk and more. Guest: Matthew Campen, PhD, MSPH, director, New Mexico Center for Metals in Biology and Medicine, director, University of New Mexico Clinical and Translational Sciences Center KL2 Mentored Career Development Program, deputy director, Training Core director, UNM Metal Exposure and Toxicity Assessment on Tribal Lands in the Southwest (UNM METALS) Superfund Research Program Center, professor, University of New Mexico Health Sciences Center

Identifying and Addressing Changes in Decision-Making Ability with Capacity Testing

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As an individual develops dementia, they may need support in many areas of their lives. One of these areas is decision-making, particularly regarding health care decisions, but how can someone or their loved one determine if they need support with decision-making? To answer these questions, Dr. Victoria Williams joins to discuss capacity and capacity testing. She dives into the different kinds of decision-making abilities that can be assessed, the signs that one may need an assessment and more, as well as shares a preview of her upcoming Healthy Living with Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI) program, “Cognitive Testing and Brain Imaging Explained.” Guest: Victoria Williams, PhD, neuropsychologist, UW Health, assistant professor, Department of Medicine, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health

Mindfulness and Meditation Practices for Living with MCI

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Receiving a diagnosis of mild cognitive impairment (MCI) or dementia can be an emotional and challenging experience. How can meditative practices support those living with MCI? Buddhist chaplain Sharon Lukert wrote her book, Until My Memory Fails Me, with the goal of sharing mindfulness and spiritual practices that have helped her since being diagnosed with MCI in 2021. She joins the podcast to share how her spirituality has impacted her journey to a diagnosis as well as strategies on navigating emotional struggles and building community for those living with MCI. Guest: Sharon Lukert, author, Buddhist chaplain

Under the FTLD Umbrella: A Deep Dive into Frontotemporal Dementia

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Frontotemporal lobar degeneration (FTLD) is one of the most common causes of dementia in individuals under the age of 60, yet it remains lesser known and often misunderstood. From the early symptoms to the challenges of diagnosis and treatment, FTLD presents unique hurdles for clinicians, researchers and families alike. Joining the podcast to discuss this complex disease is Dr. Brad Boeve, principal investigator of the ALLFTD study, a major national research effort aimed at identifying biomarkers and clinical tools to improve early detection of FTLD and prepare for future treatment trials.  Guest: Brad Boeve, MD, neurologist, Department of Neurology and Center for Sleep Medicine, professor of neurology, Division of Behavioral Neurology, Mayo Clinic, co-director, Mayo Clinic Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center, principal investigator, ARTFL-LEFFTDS Longitudinal Frontotemporal Lobar Degeneration (ALLFTD) research study

Helpful or Harmful? New Study Looks at the Impact of Technology Use on Cognition

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Smartphones and technology are ubiquitous in nearly every aspect of our lives, but is technology helping or hurting us when it comes to memory and cognition? Dr. Jared Benge, neuropsychologist and associate professor from the University of Texas at Austin, joins the podcast to discuss his research into how technology and smartphone use impacts the brain, how digital technology can be used to help individuals with cognitive impairment and what his findings mean for the future. Guest: Jared Benge, PhD, ABPP, clinical neuropsychologist, Comprehensive Memory Center, UT Health Austin, associate professor, Dell Medical School, University of Texas at Austin

Dr. Nathaniel Chin discusses the difference between dementia and Alzheimer’s in USA Today

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Nathaniel Chin, MD, medical director and Clinical Core co-leader of the Wisconsin Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center (ADRC), was one of three experts featured in a recent USA Today article for the health and wellness column.

Facing the Facts: Looking at the Alzheimer’s Association’s 2025 Annual Report

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What is the current impact of Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias on the United States? To best understand its significance in 2025, we can turn to the Alzheimer’s Association’s Alzheimer’s Disease Facts and Figures report, a comprehensive resource that highlights the effect of Alzheimer’s on individuals, care partners, health care professionals and more. Dr. Heather Snyder from the Alzheimer’s Association joins the podcast to discuss key trends and findings from this year’s report, including insights from their special report on Americans’ attitudes toward early detection and new monoclonal antibody treatments. Guest: Heather Snyder, PhD, senior vice president, medical & scientific relations, Alzheimer’s Association

Paying the Price: The Cost of Dementia in 2025

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How much does it cost to live with dementia in the United States? The hidden costs are often overlooked, but these numbers and trends are important to understand in order to inform the public and effectively allocate resources. Dr. Julie Zissimopoulos leads the United States Cost of Dementia Project, where they recently published a report on the total cost of dementia in 2025. Dr. Zissimopoulos joins the podcast to discuss the report’s findings and analyze what this means for patients and families, as well as for public policy, in the future. Guest: Julie Zissimopoulos, PhD, professor, Sol Price School of Public Policy, University of Southern California (USC), co-lead, United States Cost of Dementia Project, co-director, Aging and Cognition Research Program, USC Schaeffer Center, director, Alzheimer’s Disease and Alzheimer’s Disease Related Dementias Resource Center for Minority Aging Research (USC AD/ADRDRCMAR), Center for Advancing Sociodemographic and Economic Study of Alzheimer’s Disease and Related Dementias (CeAES-ADRD)

Harnessing Habits: The Power of Routines on the Brain

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Everyone has habits. Some are beneficial for brain health while others are less so, but it turns out that habits as simple as brushing your teeth at the same time each morning can help your brain adapt to changes from cognitive impairment. Dr. Gordon Giles joins the podcast to dive into the fascinating world of neurological rehabilitation and how building small, consistent habits can rewire the brain and support healthy lifestyle choices. He also gives a sneak peek into his upcoming talk for the Healthy Living with Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI) program titled “Unlocking the Power of Habits, Routines and Strategies.” Guest: Gordon Giles, PhD, OTR/L FAOTA, professor emeritus, Samuel Merritt University

Aging in Place: Addressing the Challenges of Living Alone with Dementia

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It’s estimated that 4.3 million older adults across the United States live alone with cognitive impairment. How do these individuals navigate the challenges and concerns that arise due to these memory and thinking changes, and what recommendations are there to support them as they continue living independently? Dr. Elena Portacolone joins Dementia Matters to discuss her research focused on identifying these challenges and developing equitable policies and programs for older adults living alone with cognitive impairment in the United States and worldwide. Guest: Elena Portacolone, PhD, MBA, MPH, principal investigator, Living Alone with Cognitive Impairment Project, professor of sociology, Institute for Health & Aging, Pepper Center Scholar, Division of Geriatric Medicine, University of California San Francisco (UCSF)

Family Ties: How Family History Affects Alzheimer’s Risk

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How important is one’s family history when determining Alzheimer’s risk? Returning guests Drs. Jessica Langbaum and Sterling Johnson discuss the latest research on family history and genetic risk factors and share their perspectives on the topic, specifically focusing on the role of the APOE gene as a risk factor. Guests: Sterling Johnson, PhD, leader, Wisconsin Registry for Alzheimer’s Prevention (WRAP), associate director, Wisconsin Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center, associate director, Wisconsin Alzheimer’s Institute, lead principal investigator, ADRC Consortium for Clarity in ADRD Research Through Imaging (CLARiTI), Jean R. Finley Professor of Geriatrics and Dementia, UW School of Medicine and Public Health, and Jessica Langbaum, PhD, senior director of research strategy, Banner Alzheimer’s Institute, overseer, Observational Research Program, Clinical Trials Program, Alzheimer’s Prevention Initiative, director, Alzheimer’s Prevention Registry, director, Arizona Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center

Explaining Dementia to Kids Through the Power of Children’s Books

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Having a relative or loved one receive a dementia diagnosis can be challenging for families, especially for families with children. How can parents, guardians and other adults explain these complex memory and thinking changes to children in a way they’ll understand? One possible way – children’s books. Dr. Tomás León joins the podcast to discuss his collection of children’s books focused on different kinds of dementia, including Alzheimer’s disease, frontotemporal dementia, Lewy body dementia and vascular dementia. He discusses his inspiration for the four stories, the writing and translation process, and the importance of helping children understand what’s happening to their loved ones, as well as shares advice on how to address these difficult conversations. Guest: Tomás León, MD, psychiatrist, Memory and Neuropsychiatry Clinic, Hospital del Salvador, Atlantic Fellow for Equity in Brain Health, Global Brain Health Institute (GBHI)

Training the Next Generation: How the Research Education Component Supports Early Career Researchers

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The Research Education Component (REC) focuses on educating, mentoring and training the next generation of researchers at the over 30 Alzheimer’s Disease Research Centers (ADRCs) across the United States, offering a range of fellowships, educational activities and events like the annual Alzheimer’s Disease and Related Dementias (ADRD) Research Day. In honor of this year’s ADRD Research Day, early career researchers Isa Hayde and Dr. Yang Yeh join the podcast to discuss how REC has impacted their research journeys, as well as share a preview of their lightning presentations. Guests: Isa Hayde, undergraduate student, Clark Lab, and Yang Yeh, PhD, postdoctoral fellow, Lamming Lab

Talking about Tau: The Role of Tau PET Scans in Alzheimer’s Research and Care

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Early detection is a top priority in the field of Alzheimer’s research, and one indicator of Alzheimer’s disease is the buildup of tau in the brain. What is tau, though? How can we detect this protein, and what can it tell us about a person’s symptoms or disease progression? Dr. Gil Rabinovici, a leader in the field of brain imaging, joins Dementia Matters this week for an in-depth discussion on the role of tau PET scans in Alzheimer’s disease detection, research and clinical care. Guest: Gil Rabinovici, MD, professor, Department of Neurology, University of California San Francisco (UCSF), director, UCSF Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center, study chair, Imaging Dementia-Evidence for Amyloid Scanning (IDEAS) and New IDEAS studies, co-principal investigator, Alzheimer’s Network for Treatment and Diagnostics (ALZ-NET), Longitudinal Evaluation of Alzheimer’s Disease Study (LEADS)

Changing the Narrative: One Man’s Journey to Alzheimer’s Diagnosis and Treatment

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Receiving a diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease or a related dementia can be a complicated experience. While some experience relief at being able to put a name to their concerns, many worry about telling loved ones or being treated differently due to the stigma surrounding the word “dementia.” Mike Zuendel joins the podcast to share his experience of being diagnosed with Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI) due to Alzheimer’s disease and how he’s pushing back against the stigma surrounding dementia. He also talks about how early detection and treatment have allowed him to lead a normal life with cognitive impairment. Guest: Mike Zuendel, member, board of directors, Banner Alzheimer’s Institute Foundation, member, Alzheimer’s Patient Advisory Board, Center for Information and Study on Clinical Research Participation, founder, Initiative to Change the D-Word, founder, CEO, Legacy Bridge Private Family Offices