Dementia Matters

Dr. Jessen returns to the podcast to take a deeper dive into subjective cognitive decline (SCD). Aiming to cover everything relating to SCD, Dr. Jessen shares insights in prognosis, risk factors and how SCD should be addressed in research and clinical practice.  Guest: Frank Jessen, MD, professor of psychiatry and psychotherapy, director, department of psychiatry, University of Cologne, clinical b...

Subjective cognitive decline (SCD) can be one of the earliest noticeable signs of Alzheimer's disease, yet SCD is not yet fully understood. To help us understand more, Dr. Frank Jessen, an expert in the field, joins the podcast to discuss how SCD is defined, classified, and evaluated in both clinical and research settings. Guest: Frank Jessen, MD, professor of psychiatry and psychotherapy, directo...

Geriatrician Dr. Mark Supiano joins the podcast to discuss the connection between heart and brain health. Citing multiple clinical trials, he breaks down what these studies and their findings mean for blood pressure management’s effect on cognitive decline and how they directly impact both patients and clinicians. Guest: Mark A. Supiano, MD, geriatrician, University Hospital Geriatrics Clinic, pro...

Amyloid-targeting monoclonal antibody treatments have ushered in a new era of Alzheimer’s disease therapies after decades of research and clinical trials. A recent review published by Cochrane, a global, independent, non-profit network of researchers, professionals, patients and carers regarded as a gold standard for producing and promoting trusted, high-quality health information, has a different...

Guest host Dr. Art Walaszek takes over the podcast to interview Dr. Chin about his upcoming book, When Memory Fades. In addition to discussing the importance of dementia research and other clinical topics covered in the book, Dr. Chin shares what drew him to write When Memory Fades, what the writing process was like, and what he hopes readers take away from his story. Guest host: Art Walaszek, MD,...

The latest Household Food Security report estimated that 13.7% of U.S. households experienced food insecurity in 2024. This lack of access to a nutritious diet can significantly affect health, so how does it then impact older adults’ health and their risk for cognitive impairment? Dr. Heejin Lee joins the podcast to share what food insecurity means, how it can affect a person’s overall health and...

Many adults are diagnosed with dementia at later stages or not diagnosed at all, despite how critical early detection is. Why is this the case? Dr. Chin discusses a recent article that highlights some key reasons for this trend and shares an exciting announcement. Show Notes Read the article Dr. Chin mentions, “ Implementing early detection of cognitive impairment in primary care to improve care f...

The U.S. POINTER study is one of the first large-scale, randomized controlled clinical trials to focus on how lifestyle interventions impact dementia risk and cognitive decline. On a special bonus episode of Dementia Matters, Dr. Laura Baker joins the podcast to explain how the clinical trial came to be, what it found and what the next chapter of lifestyle intervention research and clinical trials...

Driving can be a sensitive topic as a person gets older, and especially so when someone begins experiencing cognitive decline or is diagnosed with dementia. How can family members and care partners discuss their concerns about a loved one’s ability to drive while still respecting their dignity, autonomy and independence? Dr. KJ Hansmann joins the podcast to share strategies for how to talk about a...

People with dementia and their families see many different doctors and health care providers following a diagnosis. Some may be surprised to know that social workers play a role in dementia care as well. Jeni Synnes, a social worker at UW Health, joins the podcast to explain her role in a memory clinic, the support social workers provide for families and care partners, and what people should know...

Are you a researcher interested in getting involved in Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias (ADRD) clinical trials? The Institute on Methods and Protocols for Advancement of Clinical Trials in ADRD, or IMPACT-AD, program brings investigators from around the world together for a week of professional development and education. IMPACT-AD co-directors Dr. Josh Grill and Dr. Rema Raman, as well as...

Ultra-processed foods are a hot topic in the fields of health and nutrition, but what exactly are they and how do they impact our overall well-being? Dr. Beth Olson joins the podcast to explain what this term means, describe strategies for developing a balanced diet and share a preview of her upcoming Healthy Living with Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI) presentation, “Unpacking Ultra-Processed Food...

What if your heartbeat could help determine your dementia risk? The CAIDE dementia risk score has long helped clinicians estimate midlife risk for dementia using cardiovascular health factors, but its accuracy hasn’t been equal across populations. New research suggests that integrating resting heart rate meaningfully improves predictive performance across most racial groups. In this interview, Dr....

Alzheimer’s disease isn’t always the only health condition a person faces, so how does treating other diseases impact the progression of Alzheimer’s? Researchers at the University of Arizona focused on four common health conditions – type two diabetes, hypertension, inflammation and dyslipidemia – which are known to increase the risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease, and set out to investigate wh...

10,000 – that’s the magic number of steps often recommended for a healthy lifestyle. With recent research looking into whether that number is an accurate benchmark for health, could the number of steps taken per day have an impact on brain health and, specifically, cognitive decline? That’s precisely what a new study from Harvard Medical School and Mass General Brigham sought to examine, looking a...

As 2025 comes to an end, host Dr. Nathaniel Chin discusses the importance of gratitude for brain health and shares what he’s grateful for from this past year. Show Notes Complete the Dementia Matters Feedback Survey to let us know what our show is doing well and how we can improve in the New Year! This anonymous survey will be open until January 14th, 2026 and is estimated to take about 5 minutes...

Traumatic brain injuries (TBI) like concussions are not uncommon, especially in children and older adults. These injuries can have both short-term and lasting effects on the brain, but what about their impact on cognitive function? Dr. Deling He of UW–Madison’s Cognitive-Communication in Aging and Neurogenic Disorders Laboratory (CCANDL) lab joins the podcast to discuss her research on the connect...

When memory, thinking or communication changes begin, knowing where to turn for support can make all the difference. In this episode, we explore how two key health care specialties can help individuals and families meet those challenges with confidence. Sarah Gunderson, an occupational therapist, and Kari Esser, a speech-language pathologist, draw from their work supporting people experiencing a w...

What do COVID-19 brain fog and ophthalmology have to do with Alzheimer’s disease? There may be more connections than one might think. Dr. Sean Miller is one of the scientists behind a recent study that used retinal tissue to investigate the links between COVID-19 infections and the build-up of amyloid and other indicators of Alzheimer’s disease in the central nervous system. Dr. Miller joins the p...

Caring for someone living with dementia can be both deeply meaningful and incredibly challenging. Finding effective ways to connect, communicate and provide support often requires shifting how we see and respond to changes in the brain. In honor of National Family Caregivers Month, renowned dementia care specialist Teepa Snow joins the podcast to share her insights on improving life with dementia...

Grief is a complex topic for people with dementia, their loved ones, caregivers and doctors to navigate. Dr. Erica Srinivasan, an expert on the psychology behind grief, joins the podcast to discuss the different kinds of grief people can experience and share strategies and resources for addressing the grief associated with dementia. Guest: Erica Srinivasan, PhD, associate professor of psychology,...

Clinical trials are essential for improving the lives of those diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias. With so many trials out there, it can be difficult for someone who’s interested in participating in research to know where to start. Dr. Jonathan Graff-Radford joins the podcast to discuss the ins and outs of clinical trials and the state of Alzheimer’s treatments today, as well...

Microplastics are a growing concern in the field of environmental health, but their impact on the brain is only beginning to be understood. Joining the podcast to share the latest research on these tiny particles, which have been found in the brain and other parts of the body, is Dr. Matthew Campen, a leading researcher in the field whose work is helping to uncover how environmental exposures like...

As an individual develops dementia, they may need support in many areas of their lives. One of these areas is decision-making, particularly regarding health care decisions, but how can someone or their loved one determine if they need support with decision-making? To answer these questions, Dr. Victoria Williams joins to discuss capacity and capacity testing. She dives into the different kinds of...

Receiving a diagnosis of mild cognitive impairment (MCI) or dementia can be an emotional and challenging experience. How can meditative practices support those living with MCI? Buddhist chaplain Sharon Lukert wrote her book, Until My Memory Fails Me, with the goal of sharing mindfulness and spiritual practices that have helped her since being diagnosed with MCI in 2021. She joins the podcast to sh...