Dementia Matters

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.

Mindfulness: What Is It, What Are the Benefits, Where to Begin

COVID-19 Special Series Stress, fear, and anxiety are common responses to the uncertainty during the COVID-19 pandemic. However, with the regular practice of mindfulness, the meditative process of bringing your attention to your body in the present moment, has been seen to help calm the worry. Our guest joins us to discuss using mindfulness methods to maintain and mange an overall wellbeing. Guest: Vincent Minichiello, MD, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health

Episode Topics:

• How do you define mindfulness? 2:55
• How does mindfulness affect our body? 5:15
• Is it common to feel muscle relaxation while practicing mindfulness? 8:24
• What are mindfulness-based interventions? 9:54  
• Can mindfulness be health focused? 13:36
• Where do you see mindfulness fitting into healthcare, especially during the pandemic? 14:01
• How can mindfulness be useful during the COVID-19 pandemic? 16:11
• Can mindfulness be beneficial for individuals with cognitive impairments and caregivers? 18:21
• Where should you begin with a mindfulness practice? 20:20
• How helpful are online or phone apps for mindfulness practices? 22:50
• What are you doing to maintain your wellbeing during the COVID-19 pandemic? 25:18

Show Notes: For listeners local to Madison, the UW Health Mindfulness Program offers in-person classes. They have also expanded to online classes due to the pandemic. Another great resource is The Center for Healthy Minds at the University of Wisconsin–Madison. Apps our guest recommends are Mindfulness Coach, Calm, Buddhify and Headspace. A good starter book is Wherever You Go, There You Are by Jon Kabat-Zinn. 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.

Long Distance Caregiving and Connecting: How to Remain in Close Contact with Your Loved Ones while Following Physical Distancing Recommendations

COVID-19 Special Series As a result of the COVID-19 pandemic visiting and communicating with people living with memory loss, whether at home or in a care facility, has become more difficult. Our guest joins us to outline the different ways to communicate remotely, how rural communities are adapting to this change and methods to help caregivers cope. Guest: Becky DeBuhr, MS, Program Director, Alzheimer’s & Dementia Alliance of Wisconsin.

Episode Topics:

• Ways for caregivers to connect with loved one:
  o    Technology 3:02
  o    Window visits 4:41
  o    Mail 6:00
• What can families reasonably ask of professional caregiving staff? 9:22
• How can family members communicate their support remotely? 12:45
• How are caregivers in rural communities being affected? Is there a difference in urban communities? 15:09
• Methods to help caregivers cope now and post-pandemic. 17:40
• Key tips for caregivers at home or in a facility. 20:21

Show Notes: To learn more about the Alzheimer’s & Dementia Alliance of Wisconsin call 888-308-6251 or email support@alzwisc.org. The Wisconsin Department of Health Services provides guidance for all long-term care facilities, assisted living facilities, and facilities serving people with developmental disabilities in Wisconsin caring for patients who are elderly and/or have chronic medical conditions that place them at higher risk of developing severe complications from COVID-19. 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.