University of Wisconsin–Madison

Tag: Alzheimer’s Disease

Early-onset Alzheimer’s Disease: What to Know and What to Expect

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People diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease before the age of 65 are said to have early-onset Alzheimer’s disease. While this diagnosis is rare, the condition is very serious for the patient and their loved ones. Our guest helps define the disease and its symptoms, walks listeners through a diagnosis, and points to unique considerations for patients and their caregivers.

Guest: Susanne Seeger, MD, associate professor (clinical) of neurology, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health

Palliative Care and Hospice Conversations for Dementia Patients, Families and Caregivers

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A common concern for families and dementia caregivers is when to start talking about palliative care and hospice with and for their loved ones with dementia. Our guest, Dr. Kate Schueller, recommends these conversations happen soon after a diagnosis, when the dementia patient can still be involved in planning their care. This episode talks about the difference between palliative care and hospice, the right time to initiative services, and other considerations for patients, families, and caregivers.

Guest: Dr. Kate Schueller, MD, assistant professor of medicine, Division of Hematology, Medical Oncology and Palliative Care, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health

When Good Becomes Bad: Researching the Impact of Neuroinflammation

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Inflammation is a common response throughout the body that fights injury and infection and works to rebuild cells after damage. Inflammation works the same way in the brain, but sometimes the inflammatory response meets damage it can’t manage and becomes dysregulated. Our guest Dr. Linda Van Eldik discusses her research into the connections between neuroinflammation and neurodegenerative diseases like dementia, and how this research can help inform the medical community about drug-based treatments for Alzheimer’s disease.

Guest: Dr. Linda Van Eldik, Director, Sanders-Brown Center on Aging

The Power of Disclosure: How Explaining Risk of Alzheimer’s Disease Impacts Life Afterward

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In the advancing field of dementia research, the rise in genetic and biomarker testing for Alzheimer’s disease creates a need for conversations around how to disclose disease risk to research participants who may be years away from experiencing the symptoms of the disease. Guest Dr. Shana Stites discusses her research that examines public perception of the disease, associated stigma and discrimination, and how the research and medical communities can support people who learn about their Alzheimer’s disease risk profile.

Guest: Shana D. Stites, PsyD, MS, Penn Memory Center, University of Pennsylvania Health System

The Evolving Definition of Alzheimer’s Disease

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Alzheimer’s disease researchers are developing new techniques for identifying the disease much earlier than was possible in the past. This requires patients, families, and the medical community to talk about Alzheimer’s disease and dementia in different ways. Our guest Dr. Jason Karlawish joins us to discuss the evolving definitions of Alzheimer’s disease and dementia, as well as the ethical and social issues people with dementia face.

Guest: Dr. Jason Karlawish, Penn Memory Center, Professor of Medicine, Medical Ethics and Health Policy, and Neurology at the University of Pennsylvania

Dementia Caregiver Turns Advocate for People with Alzheimer’s Disease

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Former Badger Men’s Hockey announcer and “The Golf Affect Radio Show” host Paul Braun was a caregiver for his late wife, Karen, who had early-onset Alzheimer’s disease. Paul’s experiences motivated him to become an advocate for people with Alzheimer’s disease and raise awareness and money for research and caregiver support. Paul was instrumental in developing the American Family Insurance Championship golf tournament Birdies for Health campaign, which raises money for five health causes at UW Health.

Guest: Paul Braun, radio and sports broadcasting personality

Where’s the Connection? The Role of Synapses in Memory and Alzheimer’s Disease

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Synapses are points in the brain where two brain cells connect and communicate. Dr. Barbara Bendlin discusses her new research into synaptic change, its relationship to memory loss, and how her first-in-the-field research might one day lead to a new tool for early diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease.

Guest: Barbara Bendlin, PhD, Wisconsin Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center

What Population Research Can Tell Us about Alzheimer’s Disease Risk

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Dr. Rachel Whitmer details how social determinants of health can lead to an elevated risk for dementia and shares what she has learned about modifiable risk factors and how they affect brain health.

Guest: Dr. Rachel Whitmer, PhD, UC Davis Department of Public Health Sciences and Chief of the Division of Epidemiology

How Brain Autopsies Are Helping Further Dementia Research

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This week, we speak with Dr. Shahriar Salamat and Mr. Jay Fruehling to discuss brain donation research and how it helps give the most accurate diagnoses.

Guests: Dr. Shahriar Salamat, professor in the Department of Pathology, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health and Mr. Jay Fruehling, Wisconsin Brain Bank Program Manager and community educator on brain donations at the Wisconsin Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center

Holiday Tips for Dementia Caregivers

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The holidays are a joyous time for many, however it can be quite stressful to caregivers of a person with dementia. Geriatrician Dr. Alexis Eastman discusses the most important tips and safety precautions for dementia caregivers this holiday season.

Guest: Dr. Alexis Eastman, Division of Geriatrics and Gerontology, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health

SuperAgers: Who They Are and What They Can Tell Us about Alzheimer’s Disease

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SuperAgers are people over age 80 who have the memory and thinking abilities of someone in their 50s. This week, Dr. Emily Rogalski discusses the science of SuperAging and how examining SuperAgers’ brains can help us learn about Alzheimer’s disease and dementia.

Guest: Emily Rogalski, PhD, Associate Professor of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences at Northwestern University, Feinberg School of Medicine, Associate Director at Mesulam Cognitive Neurology and Alzheimer’s Disease Center in Chicago

The Triumphs and Challenges of Being a Dementia Caretaker

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This week, we have a very special episode featuring former Governor of Wisconsin, Martin Schreiber. Governor Schreiber has been a widely outspoken advocate for awareness of Alzheimer’s disease and dementia. He discusses the many beautiful and difficult moments of being a caregiver for his wife, who was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease more than a decade ago.

Guest: Martin Schreiber, Former Governor of Wisconsin (1977-1979), Former Lt. Governor of Wisconsin (1971-1977)

Finding the Link Between High Blood Pressure and Dementia

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Preventive cardiologist Dr. Heather Johnson joins us this week to discuss how keeping a healthy cardiovascular system can reduce chances of developing dementia. She also discusses her MyHEART study, which aims to help young adults live heart-healthy lives.

Guest: Dr. Heather Johnson, cardiologist with special interest in preventive cardiology, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health

Approaching Alzheimer’s Disease as a Preventable Condition

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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 disease in the brain.

Guest: Dr. William Shankle, Medical Director, Shankle Clinic, Newport Beach, California