A podcast about Alzheimer's disease and related dementias
The only true way to confirm a diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease is through a brain autopsy after death, but advancements in neuroimaging are giving scientists a clearer picture of what’s happening in the brain while patients are still alive.
Guest: Samantha Allison, PhD, Researcher at the Wisconsin ADRC and WRAP study
Dr. Howard Federoff, a ground-breaking researcher of brain disorders, discusses his research relating to predicting Alzheimer’s disease through a blood test and shares his lifestyle habits for brain health.
Guest: Dr. Howard Federoff, MD, PhD, Researcher and Professor of Neurology at University of California, Irvine College of Medicine
The William S. Middleton Memorial Veterans Hospital in Madison, Wisconsin, was recently recognized as the first Dementia Friendly VA hospital in the country. We hear from Dr. Mary Wyman and Margaret Flood on the importance of Dementia Friendly and what it takes to reach this designation.
Guests: Dr. Mary Wyman, clinical psychologist, and Margaret Flood, clinically licensed social worker, VA Caregiver Support Coordinator
Alzheimer’s disease-related changes occur in the brain more than 15 years before a person experiences the memory and personality changes associated with the disease. By studying the disease in its earliest stages, scientists hope to find treatments that can prevent or delay the onset of dementia and memory loss.
Guest: Sterling Johnson, PhD, Clinical Neuropsychologist, Professor of Geriatrics, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, Associate Director of the Wisconsin Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center, Principle Investigator of the Wisconsin Registry for Alzheimer’s Prevention (WRAP) Study
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, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health
After a diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease or other dementia, patients and caregivers can turn to local agencies and associations for education and support. Dementia friendly communities represent an international movement to help businesses, the general public, and government agencies better recognize and support people living with dementia.
Guest: Joy Schmidt, dementia care specialist, Aging and Disability Resource Center of Dane County
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 the disease.
Guest: Cynthia Carlsson, MD, MS, geriatrician, William S. Middleton Memorial Veterans Hospital, and investigator, Wisconsin Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center
The thought of going in for a memory evaluation can be intimidating. Learn more about what you can expect with the evaluation process and get an idea of which behaviors are more concerning than others. In addition, learn why online assessments fall short when it comes to properly diagnosing memory concerns.
Guest: Lindsay Clark, PhD, neuropsychologist, UW Health Memory Assessment Clinic, and investigator, Wisconsin Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center
Dementia care specialist Teepa Snow discusses techniques caregivers and family members can use to better communicate with Alzheimer’s disease and dementia patients.
Guest: Teepa Snow, dementia care specialist, educator, founder of Positive Approach, LLC
On behalf of the entire Dementia Matters team, thank you for listening to our podcast, and have a happy new year!
How does hormone replacement therapy affect a woman’s risk for developing Alzheimer’s disease? Dr. Carey Gleason, a researcher at the Wisconsin Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center, joins us to offer her insight on menopausal hormone therapy and the many factors patients and their physicians should consider in the decision-making process.
Guest: Carey Gleason, PhD, Clinical Psychology, Associate Professor and Researcher, Wisconsin Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center
Examining the bacteria that live in our guts and the role it plays in health is an exciting frontier in scientific inquiry. Researchers are now looking at the gut microbiome for answers about Alzheimer’s disease.
Guest: Nick Vogt, MD/PhD Student, Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, Research Investigator, Wisconsin Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center
Sleep plays an important role in our day-to-day lives and has a huge impact on our memory and thinking. Learn more about why we need to sleep and some of the negative impacts that poor sleep can have on our brains.
Guest: Steven Barczi, MD, Geriatric Sleep Physician, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health
Recent research shows Alzheimer’s disease can be present up to two decades before symptoms occur; a phenomenon known as preclinical Alzheimer’s disease. Comparing the disease to a burning building, some scientists believe treatment needs to happen well before significant foundational damage occurs.
Guest: Paul Aisen, MD, Professor of Neurology and Director of the Alzheimer’s Therapeutic Research Institute, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California
The MIND diet was created with the goal of healthy brain aging. This nutrition plan, which is backed up by years of scientific research, details 10 food groups you should incorporate into your diet and five foods that you should limit.
Guest: Martha Clare Morris, ScD, Professor of Epidemiology, Rush University Medical Center, and co-creator of the MIND Diet