Dementia Matters

Researchers have produced many studies on how smoking affects parts of the body, such as the lungs or heart, but what about the brain? In today’s podcast, Adrienne Johnson, PhD, discusses her research on cigarette smoking and risk for dementia and Alzheimer’s disease. As part of a 2021 study, she found a person’s risk for dementia and Alzheimer's disease can be affected by how recently they’ve smoked. Diving into her research, the effects of smoking on different communities, and resources to support current smokers as they quit, Dr. Johnson details the impact of smoking on the brain and her hopes to develop new interventions to motivate smokers to quit for good. Guest: Adrienne Johnson, PhD, assistant scientist at the University of Wisconsin Center for Tobacco Research and Intervention Episode Topics 1:17 What sparked your interest in studying the effects of cigarette smoking and, particularly, how it affects cognitive decline? 3:47 What are the effects of smoking on Alzheimer’s disease risk and/or general cognitive decline? 5:28 Why do you think there’s a difference in risk levels for Alzheimer’s disease and then for dementia? 6:27 Are there other things you can share about what you have found with your preliminary studies on smoking as a risk factor for Alzheimer’s disease? 8:38 You haven’t found a quantity relationship between the amount a person smokes and their risk for Alzheimer’s disesase, but rather a relationship based on smoking recency. Could you describe that further? 11:12 You’ve also done work on how there’s more disadvantaged communities that might be suffering from tobacco use compared to others. Can you speak on that? 13:01 How can caregivers and/or family motivate or support current smokers so that they can quit? 14:25 Is there a difference in a population that already has cognitive impairment? Do you have different strategies that we might use to support those individuals? 18:16 What are you looking to study in the future? 19:21 Can you share some resources where listeners can get help to stop smoking or where they can find resources for a loved one? Find Dementia Matters online Follow us on Facebook Follow us on Twitter Show Notes Read Dr. Adrienne Johnson’s biography on the UW Center for Tobacco Research and Intervention (UW-CTRI) website. To learn more about the UW Center for Tobacco Research and Intervention (UW-CTRI) and the work they do, find them on their website, Twitter, Facebook, YouTube, and Instagram. Find resources on how to quit smoking here: Learn more information about smoking, vaping, and how to quit at https://ctri.wisc.edu 1-800-QUIT-NOW is a national smoking cessation quitline. Though it’s resources vary from state to state, in Wisconsin they can provide callers with free evidence-based evidence-based smoking cessation medications and a free coaching session to help you quit. Smokefree.gov is a website with a variety of resources, including texting programs, quit plans, mobile apps, and information on how to quit for specialty populations. Talk to primary care providers for prescribed medication and counseling for quitting smoking

Elisa Ghezzi, DDS, PhD, joins the podcast to discuss the importance of maintaining oral health throughout one’s life, and especially as one grows older. Discussing the effects of oral health on our systemic health, oral health’s connection to dysphagia, and how caregivers can help dementia patients care for their teeth, Dr. Ghezzi provides insight on how vital it is to care for our oral health as we age. Guest: Elisa Ghezzi, DDS, PhD, adjunct clinical assistant professor, University of Michigan School of Dentistry, provider, Voiage Portable Dentistry Episode Topics 1:15 - How did you get interested in oral health in older adults? 3:28 - Why isn’t there more training or education in general dentistry for an older population? 4:34 - What are oral diseases, and what are their effects on systemic health? 6:00 - Is there an association between oral disease and cognition or cognitive impairment? 8:50 - IDoes inflammation affect oral health? 10:00 - What can be done to prevent oral conditions? 13:39 - What can we do to help protect our teeth? 16:38 - What should older adults and people who are experiencing dementia do about flossing? 19:05 - For our audience members who might be caring for someone who has dementia,, what recommendations would you offer when the person they are caring for is resistant to the act of having someone brush their teeth? 22:10 - What is the relationship between oral health, oral disease, and dysphagia? 28:20 - What is the most pressing issue facing older adults and their oral health care?   Find Dementia Matters online Follow us on Facebook Follow us on Twitter Vote for Dementia Matters in the 2021 Podcast Awards! Voting closes July 31st!

Dementia Matters has entered into the 2021 People's Choice Podcast Awards! If you enjoy our show and want to support us, register and vote before July 31st at www.podcastawards.com, and vote for us under the Health and People's Choice categories. We, the Dementia Matters team, hope that by participating, we can continue spreading our message and educate new listeners about Alzheimer’s Disease, Dementia, and brain health. Our background music is "Cases to Rest" by Blue Dot Sessions. Find Dementia Matters online - https://www.adrc.wisc.edu/dementia-ma... Follow us on Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/wisconsinadrc Follow us on Twitter - https://twitter.com/WisconsinADRC Vote for Dementia Matters in the Podcast Awards - www.podcastawards.com

Neurologist and author Daniel Gibbs, PhD, joins the podcast to discuss his recent book, “A Tattoo on My Brain,” which details his journey from treating Alzheimer’s disease clinically for 25 years to being diagnosed with early-stage Alzheimer’s. Dr. Gibbs discusses early signs he experienced and daily life with the disease, as well as thoughts on the recent FDA-approved treatment aducanumab (marketed as Aduhelm). Guest: Daniel Gibbs, PhD, neurologist Episode Topics What inspired the title of your book, “A Tattoo on the Brain”? 1:01 What were these early signs of Alzheimer's disease that you recognized in yourself? 3:42 What were your impressions of the clinic process, and where is there room for improvement? 8:08 Can you share your view on family history? 9:17 What do you say to people about direct-to-consumer genetic testing, both as a recipient and as a clinician? 10:57 Did knowing your risk of Alzheimer's disease help or harm you? 12:42 Did you find any habit difficult to incorporate into your day? 13:17 How important was it for you to be involved in research and what did you gain from being a research participant? 17:15 How do you feel about the recent FDA approval of aducanumab for clinical use? 20:25 As a patient, would you sign up for this drug, and if you were still working as a neurologist, would you prescribe this drug? 22:59 How do you find the balance between enjoying daily life and engaging proactive activities meant to improve the future? 24:49 How can we reframe the way people understand Alzheimer's disease? 28:18 Was it difficult to publicly discuss your experience, and what have you learned from this process? 29:52 What do you hope the reader takes away from your book? 31:15 Find Dementia Matters online Follow us on Facebook Follow us on Twitter

For our 100th episode of Dementia Matters, Nina Silverberg, PhD, director of the Alzheimer's Disease Research Centers (ADRC) Program at the National Institute on Aging (NIA), joins the podcast to offer an overview of the ADRC Program as well as insight into the state of Alzheimer’s Disease research and its future. The NIA funds more than 30 Alzheimer’s Disease Research Centers across the country, including the Wisconsin ADRC. Guest: Nina Silverberg, PhD, National Institute on Aging Visit alzheimers.gov for information about Alzheimer's disease and related dementias, living with Alzheimer's disease, and caring for someone with the disease. The NIA's website provides helpful information about brain donation and offers a variety of publications on health topics related to dementia and aging. Episode Topics How did you get involved with Alzheimer's disease? 1:32 How has Alzheimer's disease research changed over the last 15 years? 3:22 Brief history of the NIA’s ADRC Program: 4:46 What role do the centers play in the field of Alzheimer's disease research and treatment? 6:24 How do the centers collaborate with one another? 7:48 What is your vision for the future of the ADRC Program? 9:47 How does the NIA report their process and findings to the public? 12:03 How does the NIA collaborate with other groups conducting research? 13:18 Are blood-based biomarkers the future of Alzheimer's disease research? 18:23 Do you think there will be more focus on other pathologies in the future? 20:09 How can Alzheimer's disease researchers help impact clinical care? 23:37 What area of Alzheimer's disease research fascinates you the most? 24:40 How close do you think we are to solving or curing Alzheimer's disease? 26:43 Find Dementia Matters online Follow us on Facebook Follow us on Twitter

Neuropsychologist and author Michelle Braun, PhD, joins the podcast to talk about lifestyle changes that can support brain health. “We have the ability to make our brain younger than our chronological age,” she says. Braun shares how and details strategies from her new book, “High-Octane Brain: 5 Science-Based Steps to Sharpen Your Memory and Reduce Your Risk of Alzheimer’s.” Hear about common misconceptions around aging, three possible brain health trajectories, and how to maximize your brain health. Guest: Michelle Braun, PhD, neuropsychologist and national leader in the field of brain health Episode Topics What are the most common complaints that can be attributed to normal aging? 1:29 What are the main misconceptions of aging? 3:25 What are the three possible brain health trajectories? 5:00 What does a high-octane brain trajectory look like? 6:55 What are the three navigational forces that influence brain health trajectories? 8:21 What is epigenetics? 10:35 What are the five lifestyle factors that make up EXCELS?  13:01 How did you come up with the order of these lifestyle changes? 14:18 What do you tell your patients about the benefits of exercise? How do you recommend they start? 16:20 What diet do you recommend to support brain health? 20:06 What have you found to be the biggest struggle in following the diet? 22:21 How should a person get started with the MIND diet and what should be avoided? 23:27 What is your response when patients ask about supplements? 24:46 What are your thoughts on alcohol consumption and brain health? 26:07 Show Notes Dr. Braun will be a guest speaker at the Wisconsin Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center’s "Healthy Living with Mild Cognitive Impairment: Nutrition in Action" class on June 18, 2021. The class will be held virtually on Zoom and is free and open to the public. Register Here. Find Dementia Matters online Follow us on Facebook Follow us on Twitter

Researchers at the University of California, San Francisco found that among older adults with cognitive impairment, the greater the air pollution in their neighborhood, the higher the likelihood of the presence of amyloid plaques in their brain. Lead researcher Leonardo Iaccarino, PhD, details his work examining air pollution and brain health outcomes and discusses possible ways individuals and society can lower the impact of air pollution on Alzheimer’s disease risk.  Guest: Leonardo Iaccarino, PhD, University of California San Francisco Memory and Aging Center Episode Topics What sparked your interest in neuroscience and Alzheimer's disease research? 1:06 Why is your research so pivotal? 2:21 What was the IDEAS Study? 4:12 What kinds of air pollution are you referring to? 6:09 What can generate PM2.5? 7:45 Are cars or factories potential sources? 8:50 How does air pollution increase risk for Alzheimer's disease? 9:15 Is there a further increased risk after long exposure? 11:00 Why is it important that there was no link to ground-level ozone? 12:04 Did you look into the APOE4 genetic risk from air pollution? 14:32 What should people do with this information? 16:19 Is there a way to find your own neighborhood value of PM2.5? 18:44 Do you see any policy or system changes in the future from your findings? 19:55 Do you believe there might be other environmental factors that increase risk? 21:03 What do you do in your life to decrease risk for neurodegeneration? 21:57 Find Dementia Matters online Follow us on Facebook Follow us on Twitter

Inappropriate sexual behavior is a common yet rarely discussed symptom in individuals with dementia. Author Elizabeth Marcus writes about her personal experience with her father’s behavioral changes in her new book, “Don’t Say a Word!: A Daughter’s Two Cents.” Elizabeth shares what she learned caring for her father, as well as advice for caregivers responding to the symptoms. Neurologist Dr. Martin Samuels offers background on changes in the brain that can cause inappropriate sexual behavior and other personality shifts that are common in people with dementia. Guest: Elizabeth Marcus, author; Martin Allen Samuels, MD, Brigham and Women's Hospital Episode Topics: What is your book about? 1:09 How did you react to your father’s request? 3:08 What did you learn about the experience? 4:04 What did you learn about the relationship between sex and dementia? 5:29 What is the key message of your book? 6:50 How common are these situations? 8:33 Are there physical changes in the brain that explain these symptoms? 9:10 Why do some individuals with memory loss develop these symptoms, while others don’t? 12:44 How can family members respond to the situation once it becomes uncomfortable? 14:51 What advice do you have for family member’s going through this experience? 17:27 What types of education or resources do you provide caregivers? 19:30 How do you respond to caregivers looking into medication for the symptoms? 21:55 What is your experience with the stigma around sex and individuals with memory loss? 23:44 Any suggestions for overcoming the discomfort and respectfully addressing these symptoms? 26:33 Visit Elizabeth Marcus’ author website to learn about her new book, “Don’t Say a Word! A Daughter’s Two Cents.” Find Dementia Matters online Follow us on Facebook Follow us on Twitter

Being Patient is an online news source dedicated to providing research news, caregiver information and resources related to Alzheimer's disease. Being Patient founder Deborah Kan discusses how her personal experiences led her to develop the website, as well as how online resources and communities can help empower individuals affected by memory loss. Guest: Deborah Kan, journalist, founder of beingpatient.com Episode Topics: What inspired you to leave a career in journalism and launch Being Patient? 0:58 How do you decide on the topics you cover? 4:18 How does social media help build a community through connection? 9:14 Have you found a certain communication platform that has better reach? 11:25 What have you learned from caregivers through your work? 13:49 Can you offer recommendations for finding reliable online sources for health information? 18:58 Why is it important for the scientific community to have a separate organization that discusses the research? 23:34 What topics in Alzheimer's disease research have been the most impactful? 27:35 Find Dementia Matters online Follow us on Facebook Follow us on Twitter

Dr. Jason Karlawish discusses society’s role in addressing care for individuals with memory loss, as well as current stigmas around Alzheimer’s disease, Wealthcare, and his cautious optimism for the future of Alzheimer’s disease research and care. This is the final episode in our four-part series with Dr. Karlawish on his new book, "The Problem of Alzheimer's: How Science, Culture, and Politics Turned a Rare Disease Into a Crisis and What We Can Do About It.” Guest: Jason Karlawish, MD, co-director, Penn Memory Center Episode Topics: How do you live a good life when you’re slowly losing your ability to live life? 0:56 How do home and work fit in your life after a mild cognitive impairment diagnosis? 2:21 What are your recommendations on home looseness and time slips? 4:34 How can we improve care facilities? 10:04 What is Wealthcare? 11:19 Why haven’t caregivers been given greater support in our system? 13:32 What do you mean by time, task and truth in caregiving? 15:13 What are steps we can take to improve the care for individuals with mild cognitive impairments? 17:34 What do you mean by stigma in Alzheimer's disease? 19:37 What worries you about the effects of this stigma? 22:00 With a new presidential administration, what should be the top priorities as a country for preparing for Alzheimer’s and improving the lives of individuals with memory loss? 24:21 Learn more about Jason Karlawish's book Find Dementia Matters online Follow us on Facebook Follow us on Twitter

Dr. Jason Karlawish joins the podcast for the third installment in our series on his new book, "The Problem of Alzheimer's: How Science, Culture, and Politics Turned a Rare Disease Into a Crisis and What We Can Do About It". In this episode, Dr. Karlawish discusses the healthcare system’s role in Alzheimer’s disease and what it needs to do better to care for individuals with dementia and help them live well. Guest: Jason Karlawish, MD, co-director, Penn Memory Center Episode Topics: What did you learn about the healthcare system in your work with Beverly and Darren Johnson? 1:33 What do we need in healthcare to better care for individuals with cognitive impairment? 3:25 Do we need more memory care specialists in the field, or can primary care physicians do this work? 5:32 How do we encourage more individuals into enter the geriatric care medical field? 7:38 How do we increase the number of memory centers and how should they function within our current healthcare system? 9:22 Why is it important to discuss delirium? 11:14 What does a multidisciplinary team offer in dementia care? 13:03 What services and supports do you envision for the healthcare system? 14:57 The importance of being respectful in communication and interaction with older adults. 18:06 What did you learn from working with Dr. Jeffrey Kaye from the Oregon Center for Aging and Technology (ORCATECH)? 20:34 What role does our government have in addressing this humanitarian crisis? 23:13 Learn more about Jason Karlawish's book Find Dementia Matters online Follow us on Facebook Follow us on Twitter

Dr. Jason Karlawish returns to the podcast to continue our discussion on his new book, The Problem of Alzheimer's: How Science, Culture, and Politics Turned a Rare Disease Into a Crisis and What We Can Do About It. In this episode, Dr. Karlawish discusses pivotal cultural and political moments that influenced Alzheimer’s disease research, as well as the possibilities of drug treatments in the future. Guest: Jason Karlawish, MD, co-director, Penn Memory Center Episode Topics: Who is the unwitting revolutionary? 1:11 What happened to the early German scientists researching Alzheimer’s disease? 6:03 What essay was released in 1976 and why was it pivotal to Alzheimer’s research? 7:25  How did the changes in psychiatry, geriatric care and gender roles affect Alzheimer’s disease research? 10:42 What was the internal struggle over a name? 14:51 What were key moments in U.S. political history that influenced Alzheimer’s disease? 18:19 Where do you think the U.S. went wrong in approaching Alzheimer’s disease? 21:05 How is Alzheimer’s disease a humanitarian crisis? 22:43 What is your opinion on the drug approach for Alzheimer’s disease? 23:53  Do you have hope for a pill treatment in the future? 24:48   Learn more about Jason Karlawish's book Find Dementia Matters online Follow us on Facebook Follow us on Twitter

Physician and author Dr. Jason Karlawish joins the podcast for the first installment of a four-part series centered around his new book, The Problem of Alzheimer's: How Science, Culture, and Politics Turned a Rare Disease Into a Crisis and What We Can Do About It. In the book, Karlawish blends history and science to detail the most important breakthroughs in diagnosing and treating Alzheimer’s disease. He also offers an argument for how we can live with dementia and proposes reforms we can make as a society that would give caregivers and patients better quality of life. In this episode, Dr. Chin and Dr. Karlawish discuss Alzheimer’s disease in a historical context and the disease's changing meaning. Guest: Jason Karlawish, MD, co-director, Penn Memory Center Episode Topics: Why did you choose to focus on the history of Alzheimer’s disease? 1:37 Why is it so important to use correct terminology in the clinic? 2:40 What do you say to patients when you diagnose Alzheimer’s disease? 3:54 How do you help people understand the meaning of an Alzheimer’s diagnosis? 5:39 Are there any specific experiences you’ve had when diagnosing patients? 7:25 What was the first breakthrough in Alzheimer’s research? 9:21 What did you discover about the history of Mild Cognitive Impairment? 11:27 Why are Bill Klunk and Chester Mathis so important to Alzheimer’s research? 17:50 Would Klunk & Mathis’ methods be allowed in present-day research? 21:41 What happened at the 2013 MEDCAC meeting and why is it significant? 22:32 Learn more about Jason Karlawish's book Find Dementia Matters online Follow us on Facebook Follow us on Twitter

In a recent study, health economist Lauren Nicholas, PhD, found older adults who go on to be diagnosed with dementia are more likely to miss payments on bills as early as six years before a diagnosis. Dr. Nicholas joins the podcast to discuss her research findings, how financial symptoms could be used as early predictors of dementia, signs that may indicate financial trouble due to dementia, and resources for managing your own or a loved one’s finances early. Guest: Lauren Nicholas, PhD, associate professor, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health Episode Topics: How was the study designed? 1:00 Who did you look at for in the study? 5:09 What are your findings? 6:12 Do you think the financial impact is different based on the amount of family members? 9:24 What types of resources are available? 11:01 What do you hope this research will lead to? 13:32 What are clues to watch for financial trouble due to cognitive decline? 15:47 How do you see financial information being useful for understanding dementia in the future? 17:33 Find Dementia Matters online Follow us on Facebook Follow us on Twitter

Growing research has shown that music can have a profound impact on individuals with memory loss. Right to Music is an organization dedicated to promoting use of personal music by families and professionals caring for people with dementia and other cognitive challenges. Founder Dan Cohen joins the podcast to discuss how music can affect memory loss and tips for starting music therapy. Guest: Dan Cohen, founder, Right to Music Episode Topics: What inspired you to introduce music to people with memory loss? 1:10 What brought you to music? 2:36 What has research found around music therapy? 4:56 What do you believe it is about music that is unique? 11:31 Does genre of music matter? 14:16 How can music help bring people together? 17:00 How do you recommend a person start? 18:52 Do you have any additional tips? 20:20 Which songs help you on your playlist? 21:51 Find Dementia Matters online Follow us on Facebook Follow us on Twitter