University of Wisconsin–Madison

Tag: brain health

Research Update: Aerobic Exercise and Brain Health

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Aerobic exercise is often a recommendation for maintaining cognitive well-being, however its true connections to brain health are still being investigated to learn its effects on Alzheimer’s disease. Wisconsin ADRC exercise physiologist and researcher Max Gaitán joins the podcast to discuss the recent pilot study “Protocol of Aerobic Exercise and Cognitive Health (REACH)” and the study’s future research into the impact of aerobic exercise on brain health.

Guest: Max Gaitán, MEd, Research Specialist, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health Department of Medicine

Exercise Your Mind: Cognitively Stimulating Activities and Social Engagement

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Our guest, Dr. Kimberly Mueller, joins us to discuss cognitively stimulating activities and the impact of social engagement on brain health.

Guest: Kimberly Mueller, PhD, CCC-SLP, Assistant Professor, Department of Communications Sciences and Disorders, University of Wisconsin-Madison

Building the Brain: Finding the Cognitive Benefits of Physical Activity

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To many people, exercise can seem like an uncertain and intimidating new world. The confusing marketing around it can make it hard to find a healthy, sustainable exercise plan. But it’s important for people to fit movement into their lives because a growing body of research is showing the positive effects that physical activity can have on your brain. Our guests Sarah Lose and Max Gaitan, research specialists and exercise physiologists, discuss building cognitive resilience, defining physical activity, and researching exercise and its links with brain health.

Guests: Sarah Lose, Max Gaitan, Research Specialists and Exercise Physiologists, Okonkwo Lab, Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center, University of Wisconsin-Madison

A Guide to Developing Mind-Body Skills for Improved Brain Health and Wellness

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Learn how to increase positivity, nurture mindfullness, and combat loneliness to improve overall health and wellness.

Guest: Dr. Shilagh A. Mirgain, PhD, Distinguished Psychologist with the University of Wisconsin Department of Orthopedics and Rehabilitation/UW Health

Understanding Behavioral and Psychological Symptoms of Dementia

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This week, we continue our conversation with Dr. Art Walaszek discussing the behavioral and psychological symptoms of dementia (BPSD). In this episode, he speaks about hallucinations and delusions and what caregivers can do to help.

Guest: Dr. Art Walaszek, Geriatric Psychiatrist, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health

Identifying and Managing Mental Health Issues in Older Adults

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Dr. Art Walaszek joins us for a two-part series discussing the mental health and behavioral changes family members and caregivers may see in people with dementia. In this first part, he delves into the relationship between depression and dementia, as well as tips and advice for caregivers.

Guest: Dr. Art Walaszek, Geriatric Psychiatrist, 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 Science of Sleep and Brain Health

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A sleep scientist explains the importance of sleep to your brain, shares what the scientific community knows about the connections between sleep apnea and brain health, and offers tips for healthy sleep.

Guest: Kate Sprecher, postdoctoral research associate, University of Colorado at Boulder

MIND Diet for Healthy Brain Aging

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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

Impacts of Exercise on Brain Health

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Recent research from the Wisconsin Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center has shown the protective benefits of exercise in maintaining brain health and preventing Alzheimer’s disease.

Guest: Ozioma Okonkwo, PhD, assistant professor, Division of Geriatrics, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, and neuropsychologist, UW Health Memory Clinic