Brain Talk | Being Patient for Alzheimer's Patients and Caregivers

Being Patient
  • 4.6 (11)
  • Science
  • Updated Biweekly

Being Patient is the leading online community for Alzheimer's, dementia patients, caregivers. We talk to experts about Alzheimer's news, advice, stories and support! Visit www.beingpatient.com for the latest Alzheimer's news and researches!

  1. 5d ago

    Could a Common Eye Bacteria Be Linked to Alzheimer’s? | Dr. Maya Koronyo-Hamaoui

    Bacteria found in the eye may offer new clues about inflammation, cognitive decline, and the progression of Alzheimer’s disease. Dr. Maya Koronyo-Hamaoui, a professor of neurosurgery, neurology and biomedical sciences at Cedars-Sinai Health Sciences University, has found that Chlamydia pneumoniae, a common respiratory bacterium, may be linked to Alzheimer’s disease-related changes in the brain and retina. Her work, focusing on Alzheimer’s disease, neuroinflammation and retinal imaging, seeks to improve how neurodegenerative diseases are detected, monitored, and treated. During this conversation with Being Patient’s Mark Niu, Koronyo-Hamaoui explained how her team found evidence of Chlamydia pneumoniae in eye and brain tissue, with higher bacterial burden associated with more severe Alzheimer’s disease. She also discussed how the retina may serve as a noninvasive window into brain health, why chronic inflammation may play a role in disease progression, and why future research is needed to understand whether infection may contribute to Alzheimer’s risk in some people.---If you loved listening to this Live Talk, visit our website to find more of our Alzheimer’s coverage and subscribe to our newsletter: https://www.beingpatient.com/Follow Being Patient: Twitter:   / being_patient_  Instagram:   / beingpatientvoices  Facebook:   / beingpatientalzheimers  LinkedIn:   / being-patient  Being Patient is an editorially independent journalism outlet for news and reporting about brain health, cognitive science, and neurodegenerative diseases. In our Live Talk series on Facebook, former Wall Street Journal Editor and founder of Being Patient, Deborah Kan, interviews brain health experts and people living with dementia. Check out our latest Live Talks: https://beingpatient.com/live-talks/

    28 min

  2. May 27

    How Brain Banks Help Scientists Understand Dementia | Dr. Melissa Murray

    Brain donation is helping researchers better understand why Alzheimer’s disease and related neurodegenerative disorders develop, progress, and affect people differently.Dr. Melissa Murray is a professor of neuroscience at Mayo Clinic in Jacksonville, Florida, where her research focuses on the biological changes, including tauopathies, that drive Alzheimer’s and related neurodegenerative disorders.. At Mayo Clinic Florida she helps direct one of the world’s largest brain banks focused on these diseases, giving scientists access to donated brain tissue that can reveal details about diagnosis, disease progression, genetics, resilience and risk that cannot always be seen during life.In this conversation with Being Patient’s Mark Niu, Murray explains what tauopathies are, how tau and amyloid contribute to Alzheimer’s disease, and why brain banks are essential to understanding the many ways dementia can appear. She also discusses how brain donation can support biomarker development, genetic discoveries, and more specific diagnoses. She emphasizes that brain donation also offers families answers and helps researchers work toward better ways to detect, treat, and ultimately prevent neurodegenerative disease.----If you loved listening to this Live Talk, visit our website to find more of our Alzheimer’s coverage and subscribe to our newsletter: https://www.beingpatient.com/Follow Being Patient: Twitter:   / being_patient_  Instagram:   / beingpatientvoices  Facebook:   / beingpatientalzheimers  LinkedIn:   / being-patient  Being Patient is an editorially independent journalism outlet for news and reporting about brain health, cognitive science, and neurodegenerative diseases. In our Live Talk series on Facebook, former Wall Street Journal Editor and founder of Being Patient, Deborah Kan, interviews brain health experts and people living with dementia. Check out our latest Live Talks: https://beingpatient.com/live-talks/

    32 min

  3. May 20

    What Drives Women’s Higher Alzheimer’s Risk? | Dr. Jessica Caldwell

    Women make up about two-thirds of people diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease, but experts say longer life expectancy alone does not explain the gap. Dr. Jessica Caldwell’s research focuses on how sex and gender influence Alzheimer’s disease risk, resilience, and progression, including the roles of genetics, menopause, lifestyle factors, and life stressors.  Caldwell is a neuropsychologist and investigator of the Wisconsin Registry for Alzheimer’s Prevention, or WRAP, at the Wisconsin Alzheimer’s Institute, as well as a visiting associate professor in the Department of Neurology at UW–Madison. She previously directed the Women’s Alzheimer’s Movement Prevention Center at Cleveland Clinic, the first Alzheimer’s prevention center designed exclusively for women. In this conversation with Being Patient’s Mark Niu, Caldwell explained how the disparity is influenced by multiple factors, including genetics, menopause, estrogen loss, medical conditions, lifestyle, and caregiving-related stress. She discussed why midlife may be an important window for prevention, especially for women. Caldwell also described how hormonal changes during menopause, symptoms such as hot flashes and depression, and chronic stress may affect brain health, while lifestyle factors such as exercise, nutrition, medical care and social connection may help support resilience. --- If you loved listening to this Live Talk, visit our website to find more of our Alzheimer’s coverage and subscribe to our newsletter: https://www.beingpatient.com/Follow Being Patient: Twitter: https://twitter.com/Being_Patient_Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/beingpatientvoices/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/beingpatientalzheimersLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/being-patientBeing Patient is an editorially independent journalism outlet for news and reporting about brain health, cognitive science, and neurodegenerative diseases. In our Live Talk series on Facebook, former Wall Street Journal Editor and founder of Being Patient, Deborah Kan, interviews brain health experts and people living with dementia. Check out our latest Live Talks: https://beingpatient.com/live-talks/

    27 min

  4. May 13

    Juli Chenault on Recognizing the Early Signs of Dementia | Juli Chenault

    Journey to Diagnosis is a Being Patient series sponsored by Eisai. As with all of our reporting, the sponsor has no role in choosing guests, shaping questions, or reviewing content before publication.Eisai: https://www.eisai.com/index.htmlJourney to Diagnosis: https://beingpatient.com/journey-to-diagnosis/Juli Chenault first began noticing memory lapses in 2008 while working as a business representative and traveling regularly across Kentucky. One of the first warning signs came when she could not remember how to get to an apartment she had visited many times and had to call her supervisor for help. After raising concerns about her memory with her primary care doctor and undergoing further evaluation, Chenault was diagnosed with early-stage dementia in her early 50s. Her mother had also lived with Alzheimer’s disease.Since her diagnosis, she has remained committed to managing her health, staying on medication, and keeping her mind active. The support of her family has played a central role, both in recognizing the early changes and in helping her move forward.In the conversation with Being Patient’s Mark Niu, Chenault discusses the relief of finally having answers, the importance of staying mentally and socially active, and the role her family has played in supporting her day to day. She also speaks about the need for more awareness in Black communities, where stigma, denial, and lack of information may keep people from seeking help. Chenault encourages others to take memory changes seriously, see a doctor, follow treatment recommendations, and stay connected to the people and activities that help keep the brain active.-----If you loved listening to this Live Talk, visit our website to find more of our Alzheimer’s coverage and subscribe to our newsletter: https://www.beingpatient.com/Follow Being Patient: Twitter: https://twitter.com/Being_Patient_Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/beingpatientvoices/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/beingpatientalzheimersLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/being-patientBeing Patient is an editorially independent journalism outlet for news and reporting about brain health, cognitive science, and neurodegenerative diseases. In our Live Talk series on Facebook, former Wall Street Journal Editor and founder of Being Patient, Deborah Kan, interviews brain health experts and people living with dementia. Check out our latest Live Talks: https://beingpatient.com/live-talks/

    22 min

  5. May 1

    From Clinical Trials to AI Music: How Bob Ehlers Is Redefining Life With Alzheimer's | Bob Ehlers

    This interview is brought to you in partnership with Eisai and is part of the Journey to Diagnosis series.Eisai: https://www.eisai.com/index.htmlJourney to Diagnosis: https://beingpatient.com/journey-to-diagnosis/Bob Ehlers was diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease at 58 and has since become an advocate for early diagnosis, clinical trial participation, and using technology to support people living with neurocognitive conditions. Ehlers was a vice president of product management in the semiconductor software industry when he first began noticing memory changes, including getting lost on a familiar bike ride home and forgetting a full week of work meetings. He was one of the early participants in the Clarity AD clinical trial of lecanemab. Now living in Arizona, Ehlers continues to use his background in technology and business to support others, mentoring entrepreneurs and developing Conexo Casa, a nonprofit focused on making technology more accessible for people living with neurocognitive conditions.In this conversation with Being Patient’s Mark Niu, Ehlers reflects on the emotional weight of diagnosis, his experience joining a clinical trial, and the importance of getting answers early. He also discusses how music, AI, and staying active have helped him maintain purpose after diagnosis. ---If you loved listening to this Live Talk, visit our website to find more of our Alzheimer’s coverage and subscribe to our newsletter: https://www.beingpatient.com/Follow Being Patient: Twitter: https://twitter.com/Being_Patient_Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/beingpatientvoices/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/beingpatientalzheimersLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/being-patientBeing Patient is an editorially independent journalism outlet for news and reporting about brain health, cognitive science, and neurodegenerative diseases. In our Live Talk series on Facebook, former Wall Street Journal Editor and founder of Being Patient, Deborah Kan, interviews brain health experts and people living with dementia. Check out our latest Live Talks: https://beingpatient.com/live-talks/

    29 min

  6. Apr 29

    Leveraging Technology as Your Memory Shifts | Angela Cearns

    For aging adults and people experiencing memory changes, everyday technology can be confusing, frustrating, and difficult to navigate. Angela Cearns is the founder and CEO of AsKevin, which offers workshops and digital coaching to help older adults and those with cognitive challenges — including Alzheimer’s, dementia, and Parkinson’s disease — better understand and use technology. In this conversation with Being Patient’s Mark Niu, Cearns identifies three core struggles facing people with cognitive challenges in the digital world: the constant distraction of notifications that makes it hard to keep track of information, the self-doubt caused by frequent software updates that change familiar interfaces, and the shame that comes from needing to ask family members for help. Cearns, a former head of product management at Amazon Prime and chief e-commerce officer at Pizza Hut International, shares practical strategies for simplifying devices, turning off unnecessary notifications, cleaning up contact lists and focusing on tools that keep people connected. She also highlights the growing threat of multistep scams targeting older adults. While technology can bring risks, Cearns emphasizes that it can also be a lifeline — helping people stay engaged with loved ones, health care, and the wider world.----If you loved watching this Live Talk, visit our website to find more of our Alzheimer’s coverage and subscribe to our newsletter: https://www.beingpatient.com/Follow Being Patient: Twitter: https://twitter.com/Being_Patient_Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/beingpatientvoices/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/beingpatientalzheimersLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/being-patientBeing Patient is an editorially independent journalism outlet for news and reporting about brain health, cognitive science, and neurodegenerative diseases. In our Live Talk series on Facebook, former Wall Street Journal Editor and founder of Being Patient, Deborah Kan, interviews brain health experts and people living with dementia. Check out our latest Live Talks: https://beingpatient.com/live-talks/

    42 min

  7. Apr 22

    Ask Teepa Anything: Care Homes, Apathy, Sleep Changes, and Other Care Questions | Teepa Snow

    When a loved one is diagnosed with dementia, caregivers are often thrust into a world of difficult decisions — from whether it's time to consider a care home to how to respond when a spouse becomes unrecognizable in temperament. Dementia care expert Teepa Snow, an occupational therapist with more than 40 years of clinical and academic experience, emphasizes that successful caregiving often depends less on arguing facts than on adjusting the environment, preserving purpose and social connection where possible, and recognizing that clinical labels or test results do not always capture what daily life with dementia actually looks like.Teepa developed the GEMS States of Brain Change and Positive Approach training strategies. Her company, Positive Approach to Care (PAC), provides online and in-person education and products to support those living with brain change. She also founded the Snow Approach Foundation, a nonprofit organization based in Hillsborough, North Carolina.In this conversation with Being Patient’s founder, Deborah Kan, Snow discusses how dementia care rarely follows a straight line: families often must keep reevaluating what is working, balancing safety, dignity, routine, and quality of life. Snow urged caregivers not to wait too long before considering a care home, noting that adjusting to a new environment becomes harder as dementia progresses. ----If you loved listening to this Live Talk, visit our website to find more of our Alzheimer’s coverage and subscribe to our newsletter: https://www.beingpatient.com/Follow Being Patient: Twitter: https://twitter.com/Being_Patient_Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/beingpatientvoices/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/beingpatientalzheimersLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/being-patientBeing Patient is an editorially independent journalism outlet for news and reporting about brain health, cognitive science, and neurodegenerative diseases. In our Live Talk series on Facebook, former Wall Street Journal Editor and founder of Being Patient, Deborah Kan, interviews brain health experts and people living with dementia. Check out our latest Live Talks: https://beingpatient.com/live-talks/

    1h 1m

  8. Apr 7

    Two Women Changing the Dementia Narrative | Nancy Nelson & Kat Hartley

    This interview is brought to you in partnership with Eisai and is part of the Journey to Diagnosis series.Eisai: https://www.eisai.com/index.htmlJourney to Diagnosis: https://beingpatient.com/journey-to-diagnosis/Nancy Nelson received an early-onset Alzheimer’s diagnosis in 2013 — news that changed her life and forced her to rethink what the future could look like. Nelson has channeled her diagnosis into creativity and advocacy, publishing three poetry books, participating in research, and leading early-stage support groups for others living with dementia. She later received a diagnosis of mild cognitive impairment in 2018.Nelson joined forces with Kat Hartley, a pharmacist and brain health professional whose personal life and career have been shaped by Alzheimer’s across generations of her family. Together, they co-founded dangle & dot, a social enterprise built to challenge stigma and reimagine what it looks like to live, work, and connect with dementia.In this conversation with Being Patient’s founder, Deborah Kan, Nelson reflects on the power of early diagnosis and the value of staying socially engaged after a diagnosis. Hartley offers the perspective of a care partner and advocate working to replace the usual tragedy narrative with one rooted in dignity, resilience, and connection. Their discussion highlights a central message: while dementia brings real change, purpose, community, and support can still shape a rich and active life.---If you loved listening to this Live Talk, visit our website to find more of our Alzheimer’s coverage and subscribe to our newsletter: https://www.beingpatient.com/Follow Being Patient: Twitter: https://twitter.com/Being_Patient_Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/beingpatientvoices/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/beingpatientalzheimersLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/being-patientBeing Patient is an editorially independent journalism outlet for news and reporting about brain health, cognitive science, and neurodegenerative diseases. In our Live Talk series on Facebook, former Wall Street Journal Editor and founder of Being Patient, Deborah Kan, interviews brain health experts and people living with dementia. Check out our latest Live Talks: https://beingpatient.com/live-talks/

    30 min
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Ratings & Reviews

4.6
out of 5
11 Ratings

About

Being Patient is the leading online community for Alzheimer's, dementia patients, caregivers. We talk to experts about Alzheimer's news, advice, stories and support! Visit www.beingpatient.com for the latest Alzheimer's news and researches!

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