Dementia Matters

Defining Mild Cognitive Impairment with Dr. Chin

On October 27th, the NBC drama series This Is Us will return for a fifth season. An integral storyline in the show is the diagnosis of one of the main characters, Rebecca Pearson, with Mild Cognitive impairment (MCI). In this bonus episode, our host Dr. Chin helps define MCI and its potential causes and misconceptions.

Episode Topics:

• What is Mild Cognitive Impairment? 1:37
• Difference between MCI and Dementia: 3:29
• Potential causes for MCI: 4:40

Intermittent Fasting and Its Effects on the Brain

As intermittent fasting has risen in popularity over the last decade, researchers have been exploring its long-term effects on physical health. Dr. Mark Mattson joins to discuss his research on metabolic switching, caloric restrictions, and the cognitive benefits from intermittent fasting. Guest: Mark P. Mattson, PhD, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Department of Neurology

Note: It is best to talk with your healthcare provider before engaging in intermittent fasting.

Episode Topics:

• Defining Intermittent fasting: 1:08
• How long does it take for a metabolic switch? 2:02
• How is this process different from normal dietary recommendations? 3:44
• What did you find in your research on the effects of intermittent fasting on health? 5:36
• Are there cognitive benefits to intermittent fasting? 8:12
• Can intermittent fasting and caloric restrictions improve the brain’s health? 9:49
• How does our modern lifestyles affect our brain and overall health? 16:07
• Is there any evidence that one way of intermittent fasting is better?17:54
• Are there any long-term consequences of intermittent fasting? 20:30
• What do you do in your life to improve your brain health? 22:39

Research Update: Aerobic Exercise and Brain Health

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

Episode topics:

• What were the goals for the REACH study? 1:56
• Was it difficult to recruit participants for the study? 3:18
• What else did you learn from your participants?  4:22
• Did you see any issues with retention in participants? 5:06
• What were the results of the study? 5:42
• What does improved glucose metabolism in the brain mean? 6:57
• Does exercise improve the health of the brain cells? 7:43
• What are the goals of studying metabolomics? 8:55 
• What did you define as usual physical activity? 9:47
• How were the exercise targets chosen? 10:38
• Are there studies researching high intensity interval training? 12:39

 

Apps & Alzheimer’s: Supporting Informal Caregiving Through Mobile Technology

Human factors engineering is the study and design of interactive systems, tools and technologies to best assist individuals in need. We are joined by Nicole Werner, PhD, an engineer working on a mobile technology to serve the lives of informal caregivers. Guest: Nicole Werner, PhD, Harvey D. Spangler Assistant Professor in the Department of Industrial and Systems Engineering, College of Engineering, University of Wisconsin-Madison

Episode topics:

• Explanation of the field of human factors engineering: 1:05
• The challenges of informal caregiving: 2:22
• What are some useful user friendly features for the app? 5:32
• How is the app being tested and improved? 11:38
• How do you know when the app will be ready for launch? 14:15
• Does your lab work with other technology tools for individuals with dementia and their caregivers? 15:55
• As consumers, what are the essential features that we should look for in technology assistance?: 18:10
• Have you encountered any tools you’ve found helpful? 20:07
• What have you learned about caregiving in your work? 22:55

Sex Differences in Alzheimer’s Disease

Almost two-thirds of Americans with Alzheimer’s disease are women. In the Alzheimer’s disease research field, there is an interest in understanding the sex-specific differences in the risk and development of this disease. Dr. Michelle Mielke joins to discuss some of these differences as well as how pregnancy and menopause might affect cognition. Guest: Michelle Mielke, PhD, Mayo Clinic Rochester

Episode Topics:

• What are the sex differences in the development of dementia? 4:09
• What are explanations for these differences? 7:57
• What role does pregnancy and menopause play in the development of cognitive disorders? 10:09 
• Could menopausal hormone replacement therapy affect the cognitive development of dementia in individuals? 14:32
• Are there sex differences in the genetic risk of APOE? 21:30
• What do you do in your personal life to maintain brain health? 24:31

Neighborhoods and Neurons: Study Finds Association between Neighborhood Disadvantage and Alzheimer’s Disease-related Brain Changes

A recent study from researchers at the University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health found that people who lived in the most disadvantaged neighborhoods were about twice as likely to have Alzheimer’s disease-related brain changes at autopsy than people who lived in the wealthiest neighborhoods. One of the authors joins the podcast to discuss the research findings, the methodology behind the study, and future research directions. Guest: Ryan Powell, PhD, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health Department of Medicine

 

Episode Topics:

• What are social determinants of health? 1:30
• What is the Area Deprivation Index? 3:28
• What did your study investigate? 7:24
• What did you learn from your study of brain autopsy results? 8:49
• How do you think social factors interact with brain changes? 11:10
• Why is access to Alzheimer’s Disease Research Centers important? 13:35
• What is the next step for your research? 16:44
• As a society, how can we slow the development of Alzheimer’s disease? 20:33

Exploring the Lessons Learned as a New Caregiver

After serving as the primary caregiver for his wife for 11 years, Dr. Arthur Kleinman shares the unexpected experiences, difficulties and lessons that he faced. His book, The Soul of Care: The Moral Education of a Husband and a Doctor, chronicles the emotional and physical journey as a caregiver for a loved one with Alzheimer’s disease. Guest: Arthur Kleinman, MD, professor of medical anthropology and cross-cultural psychiatry, Harvard University

 

Episode Topics:

• Do you believe caregiving and empathy can be taught? 1:25
• Unexpected experiences as a caregiver: 3:34
• How do you communicate to your loved ones you need help with caregiving? 10:22
• Differences between “illness” and “disease”: 20:38
• Why is important for the community to welcome individuals with memory loss? 27:06

Alzheimer’s Prevention Initiative investigates genetic risk of Alzheimer’s disease

Research data collected from participants around the world has grown our understanding of genetic risk for Alzheimer’s disease. Guest Jessica Langbaum, PhD, is the co-director of the Alzheimer’s Prevention Initiative at Banner Alzheimer’s Institute, which conducts clinical trials in people at high risk for developing Alzheimer’s disease. Langbaum discusses some recent findings in genetic predisposition for Alzheimer’s disease, the psychological consequences of learning one’s risk, and testing interventions to delay or prevent the onset of symptoms. Guest: Jessica Langbaum, PhD, Banner Alzheimer’s Institute

Episode Topics:

• What is the Alzheimer’s Prevention Initiative? 3:44
• What is the difference between the APOE gene and the presenilin gene? 6:07
• How are you approaching disclosure of genetic risk to participants? 12:15
• What kind of responses have you received from participants who were told about their genetic risk? 15:32
• What would you recommend to an individual interested in learning their genetic risk? 22:19
• What are your recommendations for preventing dementia? 24:25
• What is the GeneMatch program? 26:35 
• How can individuals find a study to volunteer for? 29:48
• What is the most feasible form of therapy for dementia? 31:06

Zip Codes Are More than a Number: Study Finds Link between Neighborhoods and Memory-related Brain Structures

A recent study showed that research participants in the most highly disadvantaged neighborhoods had smaller hippocampal areas compared to research participants in more advantaged neighborhoods. The study’s first author explains the results and the tools researchers used to measure neighborhood disadvantage. Guest: Jack Hunt, PhD, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health Medical Scientist Training Program

Episode Topics:

• Association between neighborhood and brain structures: 1:52
• Study findings: 4:01
• Defining neighborhood disadvantage: 4:57
• Who were the research participants involved in the study? 5:42
• Why did you study the hippocampus in your research? 6:10
• Related cardiovascular factors: 8:20
• Using the Neighborhood Atlas to find neighborhood advantage by zip code: 10:22
• Neighborhoods disadvantage and individual socioeconomic status: 13:17
• Future research opportunities: 14:26
• What can people in the community do with the results of this study? 17:36
• Follow-up study: 18:23

Caregiver Coping Skills and Communication Strategies for a Pandemic

COVID-19 Special Series The pandemic has placed a significant strain on the mental, social, and physical wellbeing of many caregivers, as well as individuals with cognitive decline. Our guest discusses COVID-19’s impact on underserved communities, offers communication tips, and reminds people to practice self-care. Guest: Andrea Gilmore-Bykovskyi, PhD, RN, University of Wisconsin-Madison School of Nursing 

Episode Topics: 

• Caregiver considerations for a pandemic. 2:31
• Self Care for caregivers. 6:05
• How the pandemic is affecting caregivers from underserved communities. 10:55
• Recommendations for caregivers when planning a trip to a medical facility. 13:51
• Advice for families trying to communicate with loved ones who are hospitalized. 15:36
• Tips for communicating with loved ones in a care facility. 17:43
• What caregivers should know for the future. 21:05 

Show Notes: All of the important issues happening right now cannot be fully covered, so we strongly encourage you to go to trusted sources for specific information, such as the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, your state and local health department websites, and the Alzheimer's Association. You can also find resources on our website, and that of the Wisconsin Alzheimer's Institute. For other interesting and important stories on the COVID-19 pandemic, I would recommend my colleague at UW Health Jonathan Kohler, MD, MA, of the Surgery Sett podcast who has a special series called The Frontlines of COVID.