Dementia Matters
Health, Fitness & Longevity
About
Our podcast is here to help humanize Alzheimer’s disease, by speaking with the experts in our community to keep you informed on the latest headlines, research studies, and caregiver resources.
Episodes
- New Study Examines the Effects of Food Insecurity on Dementia Risk
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’ healt…
- The Importance of Early Dementia Detection and Diagnosis
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…
- Unpacking the U.S. POINTER Study
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 Bak…
- Navigating Difficult Conversations about Driving and Dementia
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’…
- The Role of Social Work in Dementia Care
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…
- Training for Clinical Trials with the IMPACT-AD Program
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 invest…
- How Ultra‑Processed Foods Impact Your Overall Health
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…
- On the Pulse: How Resting Heart Rate Improves a Dementia Risk Score’s Accuracy
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 popu…
- Could Managing Four Common Health Conditions Slow Cognitive Decline from Alzheimer’s?
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…
- Taking Steps to Slow Decline: New Study Examines the Role of Physical Activity on Alzheimer’s Progression
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…
- Reflecting on 2025: The Impact of Gratitude on Brain Health
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…
- Talking TBI: The Impact of Traumatic Brain Injuries on Cognitive Decline
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. Del…
- How Occupational Therapists and Speech-Language Pathologists Support Cognitive Health
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 wi…
- Study Finds COVID-19 Can Cause Build-up of Alzheimer’s-Related Proteins in Eyes and Brain
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 th…
- Taking a Positive Approach to Dementia Care with Strategies from Teepa Snow
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…
- A Guide to Grief: Strategies for Navigating Loss and 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 e…
- Clarifying the Alzheimer’s Disease Clinical Trials Landscape
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 w…
- Making Sense of Microplastics: New Research Looks at How Microplastics Build Up in the Brain and Body
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…
- Identifying and Addressing Changes in Decision-Making Ability with Capacity Testing
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 supp…
- Mindfulness and Meditation Practices for Living with MCI
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 Memor…
- Under the FTLD Umbrella: A Deep Dive into Frontotemporal Dementia
Frontotemporal lobar degeneration (FTLD) is one of the most common causes of dementia in individuals under the age of 60, yet it remains lesser known and often misunderstood. From the early symptoms to the challenges of diagnosis and treat…
- Helpful or Harmful? New Study Looks at the Impact of Technology Use on Cognition
Smartphones and technology are ubiquitous in nearly every aspect of our lives, but is technology helping or hurting us when it comes to memory and cognition? Dr. Jared Benge, neuropsychologist and associate professor from the University of…
- Facing the Facts: Looking at the Alzheimer’s Association’s 2025 Annual Report
What is the current impact of Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias on the United States? To best understand its significance in 2025, we can turn to the Alzheimer’s Association’s Alzheimer’s Disease Facts and Figures report, a compreh…
- Paying the Price: The Cost of Dementia in 2025
How much does it cost to live with dementia in the United States? The hidden costs are often overlooked, but these numbers and trends are important to understand in order to inform the public and effectively allocate resources. Dr. Julie Z…
- Harnessing Habits: The Power of Routines on the Brain
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.…
- Aging in Place: Addressing the Challenges of Living Alone with 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 recomme…
- Family Ties: How Family History Affects Alzheimer’s Risk
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…
- Explaining Dementia to Kids Through the Power of Children’s Books
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 i…
- Training the Next Generation: How the Research Education Component Supports Early Career Researchers
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, e…
- Talking about Tau: The Role of Tau PET Scans in Alzheimer’s Research and Care
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 perso…
- Changing the Narrative: One Man’s Journey to Alzheimer’s Diagnosis and Treatment
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 differentl…
- A Pathway to Wellness: The Benefits of Integrative Medicine on Brain Health
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 hea…
- Putting a ‘Spotlight on Care’: Caregivers Help Other Caregivers Through Podcast Series
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 simi…
- Shining Light on Younger-Onset Dementia with Lorenzo’s House
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 jar…
- What Now? Next Steps After Receiving an MCI Diagnosis
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…
- LATE, Explained
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 ty…
- ‘Tis the Season: Navigating the Holidays as a Dementia Caregiver
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 discus…
- Could AI Identify Alzheimer’s Risk Factors from Electronic Health Records?
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…
- The Future of Fluid Biomarkers for Alzheimer’s Disease and Related Dementias
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 Z…
- Support for the Supporters: Resources for Alzheimer’s Caregivers
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…
- Smartphone Screenings: Assessing Memory and Cognition using a Mobile App
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 ef…
- Catch Some Zzz’s: The Cognitive Benefits of Quality Sleep
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…
- Taking a Closer Look at Cognitive Decline and Preclinical Alzheimer’s Disease
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…
- Defining and Addressing Preclinical Alzheimer’s Disease
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…
- Gut Feelings: The Links Between Gut Health and Alzheimer’s Disease
An expanding field of research is looking at how the gut affects different parts of people’s health, but how does it affect brain health? Drs. Barb Bendlin and Tyler Ulland join the podcast to talk about their 2023 study, which suggests a…
- Reviewing the Six Pillars of Brain Health
In this compendium episode, we review some of the best information and research that we’ve shared on the six pillars of brain health. With excerpts highlighting the importance of physical activity, diet, sleep, social engagement and more,…
- Predictive Personalities: How Personality Traits Influence Dementia Risk
While genetics and lifestyle can influence one’s risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease, other unexpected factors can shift the possibility. One of these factors is personality. Dr. Emorie Beck joins Dementia Matters to share her research…
- Getting AHEAD of Alzheimer’s with Inclusive Clinical Trials
Dementia Matters Special Series: Voices of Research Participants When Ms. Carol Turner found out her family had a history of Alzheimer’s disease, she wanted to know how she could help herself and others with similar experiences. After lear…
- REVEALing APOE Results: Making Genetic Disclosures in Alzheimer’s Research
On this episode of Dementia Matters , Dr. Scott Roberts talks about disclosing genetic test results for APOE, a gene that can increase one’s likelihood of developing Alzheimer’s disease. While this information can be concerning, Dr. Robert…
- Advocating for All: The Impact of Community and Equity in Dementia Research
Dementia Matters Special Series: Voices of Research Participants What do you do when dementia symptoms begin to upend your entire life? For Brother John-Richard Pagan, the answer was to persist in finding a diagnosis and a supportive commu…