Dementia Matters

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 Show Notes Learn more about Dr. Giles at his profile on the Samuel Merritt University website. Register and learn more about Dr. Giles’ upcoming Healthy Living with MCI event, happening on June 20, 2025, and future programs on our website. Connect with us Find transcripts and more at our website. Email Dementia

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) Show Notes Read more about Dr. Portacolone and her work at her profile on UCSF’s website. Learn more about UCSF’s Living Alone with Cognitive Impairment project, led by Dr. Portacolone, on th

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 Show N

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) Show Notes Read more about Dr. León’s children’s books and download copies of

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 Show Notes Learn more about REC and the Wisconsin ADRC’s Alzheimer’s Disease and Related Dementias Research Day on our website. Listen to the podcast with Drs. Barb Bendlin and Tyler Ulland, “Gut Feelings: The Links Between Gut Health and Alzheimer’s Disease,” mentioned by Dr. Chin at 5:30, on our website, Spotify, Apple Podcasts and al

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) Show Notes Are you a clinician interested in receiving continuing education (CE) credits for listening to this episode? Find credit des

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 Show Notes Learn more about Mike Zuendel on his profile on the Initiative to Change the D-Word’s website. Learn

Holistic medicine, alternative medicine, complementary medicine – you may have heard these terms or seen them used online and wondered what they mean. Each term refers to the concept of integrative medicine, a comprehensive approach to healthcare that focuses on treating a person’s mind, body and spirit rather than addressing symptoms or a specific disease through a combination of medical treatments and other evidence-based therapies. By integrating practices like nutrition, mindfulness, supplements and other alternative therapies with traditional care, integrative medicine aims to promote overall wellness, enhance healing and improve quality of life, especially for individuals managing chronic conditions like dementia. Dr. David Rakel, a leader in integrative medicine, joins the podcast to share about how this holistic approach can help people experiencing memory change and how diet, mindset and lifestyle can play a crucial role in supporting brain health.  Guest: David Rakel, MD, professor, chair, Universit

Caring for a loved one with Alzheimer’s disease or a related dementia can be challenging, with no two journeys being the same. Who better to turn to for caregiving support, tips and advice, then, than other caregivers who have been on similar paths? Steve O’Leary and Virginia Naeve join Dementia Matters to share their different experiences caring for their partner and parent respectively, their goal to help other caregivers on their journeys through their podcast Spotlight on Care and more. Guests: Steve O’Leary, co-host, Spotlight on Care, member, leadership council, University of California, Irvine Institute for Memory Impairments and Neurological Disorders (UCI MIND), and Virginia Naeve, co-host, Spotlight on Care, volunteer, UCI MIND Show Notes Listen to the Spotlight on Care podcast on the UCI MIND website, Apple Podcasts, Spotify or wherever you listen to podcasts. Read Virginia’s blog, A New Path for Mom, online. Connect with us Find transcripts and more at our website. Email Dementia Matters: dementia

Dementia diagnoses affect families in many different ways. One of the most challenging to navigate is that of younger-onset dementia (YOD), a form of dementia that affects someone below the age of 65. This diagnosis can be particularly jarring for young families, as resources, support and research for this form of dementia are limited. When Diana Cose’s husband Lorenzo received this diagnosis, she decided to change that by founding Lorenzo’s House, a nonprofit that supports families grappling with younger-onset dementia and works toward lessening the stigma surrounding it. Diana Cose joins the podcast with programs lead Patti LeFleur to share their experiences with younger-onset dementia and how Lorenzo’s House brings light in the darkness. Guests: Diana Cose, founding executive director, Lorenzo’s House, Patti LeFleur, youth and lighthouse outreach lead, Lorenzo’s House Show Notes Learn more about Lorenzo’s House and their free programs on their website. Follow Lorenzo’s House on their Instagram, Facebook an

What exactly does a mild cognitive impairment (MCI) diagnosis mean, and what should you do after receiving one? Hearing this diagnosis from a doctor can bring up a lot of emotions and questions for individuals and family members. Jennifer McAlister joins Dementia Matters to offer advice for next steps after receiving an MCI diagnosis and share strategies and resources that have been successful for individuals she’s worked with over the course of her career. Guest: Jennifer McAlister, outreach and partnerships manager, Outreach, Recruitment & Engagement Core, Wisconsin Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center   Show Notes Find Jen’s “Next Steps After Diagnosis” flowchart, mentioned at 41:22, on our website and as a PDF. View and download a PDF of the decision-making tool, mentioned at 28:57, online. Learn more about the Wisconsin ADRC’s Healthy Living with Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI) series on our website. Watch the Healthy Living with MCI series on YouTube. Learn more about MCI by listening to our past pod

While there are many kinds of dementia, like Alzheimer’s disease and Lewy body dementia, there’s one that researchers have only recently identified. LATE, or Limbic-predominant Age-related TDP-43 Encephalopathy, is a newly-characterized type of dementia associated with abnormal clumps of a protein called TDP-43. So, what exactly do we know about LATE? Dr. David Wolk joins the podcast to share what key features of LATE are, how it compares to Alzheimer’s disease and impacts treatment, and what next steps are needed to better understand this neurodegenerative disease. Guest: David Wolk, MD, director, Penn Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center, co-director, Penn Memory Center, co-director, Penn Institute on Aging, chief, Division of Cognitive Neurology, professor of neurology, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine Show Notes Learn more about LATE on the National Institute on Aging’s website and on Penn Memory Center’s website. Read Dr. Wolk's article, "Clinical criteria for limbic-predominant age-

The holidays can be a stressful time for everyone, especially those with dementia and their care partners. In preparation for this season, Dr. Alexis Eastman joins Dementia Matters for our last episode of 2024. Drs. Chin and Eastman discuss strategies for managing the potential stress of holiday traveling and gatherings, important safety considerations and more. Guest: Alexis Eastman, MD, geriatrician, Senior Medical Director of Ambulatory Medical Specialties, UW Health, associate clinical professor, Division of Geriatrics and Gerontology, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health Show Notes Listen to our past episode with Dr. Eastman, “Holiday Tips for Dementia Caregivers,” on our website. Find more resources and tips for the holidays in “Resources for navigating the holidays with Alzheimer’s” on our website. Want to support Dementia Matters? Make an end-of-year gift to the Dementia Matters fund through the UW Initiative to End Alzheimer’s. Connect with us Find transcripts and more at our

With the recent surge in artificial intelligence and machine learning technology, one of the most exciting fields it could revolutionize is health care and, more specifically, the field of cognitive care and research. Dr. Marina Sirota and Alice Tang join the podcast to share their research on how AI could be used to predict one’s risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease based on their electronic health records. They also discuss what needs to be done to improve these algorithms and other ways this technology could be used in Alzheimer's disease research. Guests: Marina Sirota, PhD, associate professor, University of California San Francisco (UCSF), principal investigator, Sirota Lab, and Alice Tang, MD/PhD student, University of California San Francisco, postdoctoral fellow, Sirota Lab Show Notes Read Alice Tang and Dr. Sirota’s study, “Leveraging electronic health records and knowledge networks for Alzheimer’s disease prediction and sex-specific biological insights,” online through the journal Nature.. Learn

The field of biomarkers is constantly evolving, leading to developments in diagnosing and treating different kinds of dementia, but what exactly are biomarkers and how has our understanding of these measures changed over time?  Dr. Henrik Zetterberg joins Dementia Matters to talk about the latest updates in research on fluid biomarkers. Dr. Zetterberg goes in depth on the role and properties of different biomarkers and how new measures and tools, like blood tests, are impacting diagnostic tests for Alzheimer’s and other neurodegenerative diseases. Guest: Henrik Zetterberg, MD, PhD, professor of neurochemistry, University of Gothenburg, University College London, visiting professor, University of Wisconsin–Madison, Biomarker Core co-leader, Wisconsin Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center Show Notes Learn more about Dr. Zetterberg on his University College London and University of Gothenburg profiles. Learn more about blood tests in our episode with Dr. Thomas Karikari, “Update on Blood Tests for Alzheimer’s Dise

If you're one of the 11 million Americans providing unpaid care to a loved one with Alzheimer’s disease, you know that caregiving is both incredibly rewarding and challenging. What makes caring for someone with dementia so emotionally and physically demanding, and what resources and strategies are available to help? In this episode, Bonnie Nuttkinson joins us to discuss the unique needs of dementia caregivers, tips for navigating each stage of the disease and ways to find support along the caregiving journey. Guest: Bonnie Nuttkinson, MS, research program coordinator, Wisconsin Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center   Show Notes Read the Alzheimer’s Association’s 2024 Facts and Figures report that Dr. Chin mentioned at 7:29 Get 10 tips and more resources for caregivers from the Caregiver Action Network that Dr. Chin mentioned at the 12-minute mark. Visit “Resources for People with Dementia and Care Partners” on the Wisconsin ADRC website. Find caregiving resources on the National Institute on Aging’s (NIA) Alzhe

What if you could test your cognition from the comfort of your own home using a smartphone? Drs. David Berron and Lindsay Clark have spent years researching cognitive neuroscience, culminating in a 2024 published study investigating the effectiveness of a smartphone app as a tool for detecting cognitive impairment outside of a clinic or research setting. Drs. Berron and Clark join Dementia Matters to discuss how the app and tests were developed, the benefits and drawbacks of this approach  and the implications of remote testing in the healthcare field.   Guests: David Berron, PhD, Clinical Cognitive Neuroscience research group leader, German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE), and Lindsay Clark, PhD, licensed neuropsychologist, clinical core co-lead, Wisconsin Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center (ADRC), assistant professor, Division of Geriatrics and Gerontology, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health   Show Notes Read Drs. Berron and Clark’s study, “A remote digital memory com

If you get the recommended eight hours of sleep per night, you spend a third of your life asleep. Why dedicate so much time to sleeping, and how can one get the most out of those eight hours? In this episode, Dr. Allison Reiss joins us for an insightful conversation about how sleep helps the brain, what the brain does while we are asleep, tips for improving one’s sleep hygiene and much more.  Guest: Allison Reiss, MD, internal medicine physician, head, Inflammation Laboratory, New York University (NYU) Langone Hospital-Long Island, associate professor of medicine, NYU Grossman Long Island School of Medicine, member, Medical, Scientific & Memory Screening Advisory Board, Alzheimer’s Foundation of America Show Notes For more information about sleep, listen to our episode with Dr. Steven Barczi, “The Importance of Sleep for a Healthy Life,” mentioned by Dr. Chin at 1:40. Learn more about Dr. Reiss and her publications from her profile on the NYU Grossman Long Island School of Medicine website. Learn more abo

Dr. Reisa Sperling returns for another episode of Dementia Matters. After covering her research focused on preclinical Alzheimer’s disease in part one, Dr. Sperling dives deeper into the different factors that can impact cognitive decline and early-stage Alzheimer’s disease and how clinical trials are shaping the field’s understanding of detecting, treating and preventing the disease. Guest: Reisa Sperling, MD, director, Center for Alzheimer Research and Treatment (CART), co-principal investigator, Harvard Aging Brain Study, principal investigator, Alzheimer’s Clinical Trials Consortium (ACTC), co-leader, A4 Study, co-leader, AHEAD 3-45 Study, professor of neurology, Harvard Medical School   Show Notes Listen to our first episode with Dr. Sperling, “Defining and Addressing Preclinical Alzheimer’s Disease,” on Spotify, Apple Podcasts and on our website. Read more about the Harvard Aging Brains Study on their website. Read more about the AHEAD Study on their website. Watch “Voices from the AHEAD Alzheimer’s Dis

What if there was a way to detect Alzheimer’s disease before clinical signs and symptoms even appeared? Dr. Reisa Sperling joins Dementia Matters for a two-part series covering her research on detecting and treating Alzheimer’s disease at the earliest possible stage, known as preclinical Alzheimer’s. In this episode, Dr. Sperling goes in-depth on amyloid and tau proteins and the implications on early detection and treatment strategies for Alzheimer’s disease. Guest: Reisa Sperling, MD, director, Center for Alzheimer Research and Treatment (CART), co-principal investigator, Harvard Aging Brain Study, principal investigator, Alzheimer’s Clinical Trials Consortium (ACTC), co-leader, A4 Study, co-leader, AHEAD 3-45 Study, professor of neurology, Harvard Medical School Show Notes Read more about the Harvard Aging Brains Study on their website. Read more about the AHEAD Study on their website. Watch “Voices from the AHEAD Alzheimer’s Disease Trial,” featuring Dr. Cynthia Carlsson and a research participant, on YouT