University of Wisconsin–Madison

Tag: Alzheimer’s Disease

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

Posted on

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, associate dean of gerontology, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, and director and founder, Wisconsin Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center

Key to Alzheimer’s Disease Cure May Lie in Early Detection

Posted on

Research has shown Alzheimer’s disease can be present in the brain decades before symptoms arise. Dr. James Lah discusses how he believes Alzheimer’s disease prevention should start in young and middle adulthood and shares with us what his vision of a cure might look like.

Guest: Dr. James Lah, MD, PhD, Associate Professor of Neurology, Alzheimer’s Disease Investigator, Emory University

National Priorities for Dementia and Health Disparities Research

Posted on

Dr. Cerise Elliott gives a look at the structure and function of the National Institutes of Health and its work relating to Alzheimer’s Disease and dementia. She also emphasizes the importance of diversity in research and of recruitment and retention as Alzheimer’s disease-related research moves forward.

Guest: Dr. Cerise Elliott, Senior Research Program Analyst at the National Institute on Aging

Alzheimer’s Disease Risk Is High in People with Down Syndrome

Posted on

With the dramatic increase in life expectancy among people with Down syndrome over recent decades, it has been observed they develop Alzheimer’s disease at a much younger age and at a much higher incidence than the general population. Our guest, an expert on brain imaging and neurodegeneration, discusses the theories behind this relationship and the similarities and differences in how Alzheimer’s disease progresses in the Down syndrome and general populations.

Guest: Dr. Brad Christian, professor of medical physics and psychiatry at the University of Wisconsin

Identifying and Managing Dementia in the Hospital Setting

Posted on

Research in dementia care has traditionally examined community and nursing home settings, leaving a gap in research on care for dementia patients during hospital stays. After identifying a need for improvement in caring for hospital patients with dementia, our guest developed a new approach that helps hospital staff better recognize dementia and address it.

Guest: Dr. Andrea Gilmore-Bykovskyi, PhD, RN, Researcher, Assistant Professor of Nursing at the University of Wisconsin-Madison

The Potential for Predicting Alzheimer’s Disease Through a Blood Test

Posted on

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

How Biomarkers and Brain Imaging Are Used to Detect Early Stages of Alzheimer’s Disease

Posted on

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

Identification and Treatment of Swallowing Disorders in Older Adults

Posted on

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

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

Posted on

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 Effects of Hormone Replacement Therapy on Alzheimer’s Disease

Posted on

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

Connecting the Gut Microbiome to Alzheimer’s Disease

Posted on

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

Early Diagnosis Key to Alzheimer’s Disease Treatment

Posted on

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

What Is the Wisconsin ADRC?

Posted on

The Wisconsin Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center is one of about 30 federally supported Alzheimer’s Disease Centers in the country. Dr. Sanjay Asthana explains what makes the Wisconsin ADRC unique, the national effort to end Alzheimer’s disease, and the future of disease research.

Guest: Sanjay Asthana, MD, associate dean of gerontology, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, and director and founder, Wisconsin Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center