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

Being Patient
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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. 6D AGO

    Can Exercise Slow Parkinson’s Progression? | Dr. Daniel Corcos

    Exercise can ease Parkinson’s symptoms — but can it also slow the disease itself?In this Being Patient Live Talk, Northwestern University researcher Daniel Corcos, PhD breaks down the science behind high-intensity aerobic exercise and why his team is putting it to the test in a major Phase 3 clinical trial (SPARX3). SPARX3 is designed to examine whether exercise intensity can influence Parkinson’s progression, especially for people who are newly diagnosed and not yet taking Parkinson’s medication.Corcos, a professor in Northwestern’s Department of Physical Therapy and Human Movement Sciences, shares what research has already taught us about exercise and Parkinson’s — and what we still need to prove. He also lays out a practical, four-part “exercise prescription” you can use as a framework:✅ Aerobic training✅ Resistance/strength work✅ Flexibility✅ Balance + neuromotor trainingYou’ll also learn how SPARX3 will follow 370 participants over two years, comparing moderate- vs. high-intensity treadmill training and tracking changes in symptoms and brain imaging to explore whether higher intensity is linked to slower progression.Hosted by: Deborah Kan, Founder of Being Patient--- Subscribe for more Live Talks and brain health reporting:https://www.beingpatient.com/Follow Being Patient:Twitter/X:   / being_patient  Instagram:   / beingpatientvoices  Facebook:   / beingpatientalzheimers  LinkedIn:   / being-patient  Watch more Live Talks:https://beingpatient.com/live-talks/Being Patient is an editorially independent journalism outlet covering brain health, cognitive science, and neurodegenerative diseases. In our Live Talk series, founder and former Wall Street Journal editor Deborah Kan interviews brain health experts and people living with dementia.#parkinsonsdisease #Exercise #SPARX3 #BrainHealth #Neurology #ParkinsonsResearch #Fitness #MovementDisorder #BeingPatient

    34 min

  2. FEB 3

    High Blood Pressure’s Early Effects on the Brain and Memory

    High blood pressure is one of the most common and treatable risk factors for cognitive decline, and researchers are still working to understand exactly how it affects the brain. A preclinical study from Weill Cornell Medicine, published in Neuron, suggests hypertension may trigger early gene expression changes in the brain, affecting neurons, blood vessels, and white matter before there’s any measurable rise in blood pressure. Dr. Costantino Iadecola, the study’s senior author, is a neurologist and the director of the Feil Family Brain and Mind Research Institute at Weill Cornell Medicine. His research examines how brain blood vessels support cognition and what happens when that system is disrupted by vascular risk factors like hypertension. In this interview with Being Patient’s Mark Niu, Iadecola explains that in a controlled mouse model, researchers saw changes in blood vessels within days of triggering hypertension. He notes that high blood pressure is part of a broader process that can quietly affect multiple organs, including the brain, before obvious symptoms appear. He also discusses why controlling blood pressure dramatically reduces stroke risk but may not lower dementia risk as much as hoped, suggesting prevention may need to start earlier and be more individualized. For now, he emphasizes improving diet, staying active, and taking medication when appropriate to manage blood pressure.  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/

    29 min

  3. JAN 27

    Do Sleep Medications Increase Dementia Risk? | Dr. Yue Leng, UCSF

    Older adults often turn to prescription and over-the-counter sleep aids — but what do we really know about their long-term effects on brain health? A large, long-running UCSF study, published in the Journal of Alzheimer’s Disease, examined the association between sleep medication use and risk of dementia in older adults. Researchers found that frequent use of sleep medications was linked to a higher likelihood of developing dementia among white participants, while the same pattern was not seen among Black participants. Dr. Yue Leng, PhD, an epidemiologist at UC San Francisco whose work explores how sleep, circadian rhythms, and napping relate to neurodegeneration and cognitive decline in older adults, was one of the researchers on the study. If you loved listening 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/

    38 min

  4. JAN 27

    ‘Living With Alzheimer’s, Not Dying From It’: Luke and Paula Davis on Life After Diagnosis

    This interview was 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/Luke Davis spent four decades as a Dallas attorney — and an active husband, father, youth sports coach and school board member — before subtle memory changes raised concerns. In this Being Patient Perspectives interview, Luke and his wife, Paula Davis, share the early signs of Alzheimer’s they noticed first, how they pursued answers, and what helped them move forward.After a primary care visit, Luke underwent cognitive testing, an MRI and an amyloid PET scan that confirmed plaque. In April 2023, just before his 69th birthday, he was diagnosed with early-stage Alzheimer’s disease. Luke later learned he carries two copies of the APOE4 gene, a major genetic risk factor for Alzheimer’s.Luke and Paula also discuss treatment and support — including Luke’s experience with Leqembi (lecanemab) infusions — and how they’ve leaned on the Alzheimer’s Association, community, and practical day-to-day strategies. Their message for newly diagnosed individuals and couples: Alzheimer’s is a detour, not a dead end — and Luke is focused on “living with Alzheimer’s, not dying from it.”Topics covered: early Alzheimer’s symptoms, diagnosis journey, amyloid PET scan, APOE4, Leqembi/lecanemab, caregiving as a spouse, coping after diagnosis, living well with Alzheimer’s, advocacy and support.#Alzheimers #EarlyAlzheimers #Leqembi #Lecanemab #APOE4 #Dementia #BrainHealth #BeingPatient---- 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/

    38 min

  5. JAN 27

    How the Brain’s Habenula Can Sabotage Habits and How to Break the Cycle | Dr. Kyra Bobinet

    Can your brain’s “anti-reward” system sabotage motivation — and can you train it to work for you instead of against you?In this Live Talk, Being Patient founder Deborah Kan sits down with Dr. Kyra Bobinet, physician, public health leader, and behavior expert, to explain the science of the habenula — a tiny brain structure with an outsized role in motivation, habits, cravings, stress, and setbacks.Dr. Bobinet describes the habenula as an “anti-reward” hub that can overpower dopamine pathways when it flips on in response to perceived failure, fueling frustration, shame, and negative self-talk. She shares a practical framework for regaining momentum by learning to neutralize failure through an iterative mindset — treating slip-ups as feedback, making small adjustments, and trying again.You’ll also learn behavior strategies to help break bad habits by “putting the brakes” between you and a craving — and why chronic stress can make the habenula more reactive for people stuck in a deeper addiction loop, sometimes requiring layered support.Featuring: Dr. Kyra BobinetAuthor of Unstoppable Brain: The New Neuroscience That Frees Us From Failure, Eases Our Stress, and Creates Lasting Change---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/

    38 min

  6. 12/17/2025

    From Diagnosis to Dialogue: Finding Purpose Through Blogging

    Before his Alzheimer’s diagnosis, Greg Nelson spent his career as a leadership developer helping others grow. About a year and a half ago, his wife Shasta began to notice changes in his memory and urged him to get evaluated. They went to UC Davis’s  Healthy Aging Clinic, where cognitive testing suggested mild cognitive impairment (MCI). A neurologist later ordered a PET scan and by mid-February, Greg had an official Alzheimer’s diagnosis. For Greg, who didn’t want to retire and loved his work, this set off a shift in identity. Part of adjusting has meant finding a new voice. He now writes candidly about his experience living with Alzheimer’s — keeping a blog and sharing posts for his kids, his community, and for others going through similar challenges. Greg says that writing about his experience and connecting with others online has been a game changer, helping him find community and purpose after his diagnosis. In this conversation with Being Patient’s Mark Niu, the couple breaks down early signs, from trouble with tracking TV plots to feeling overwhelmed by multi-step instructions. They also share what the diagnostic process can really look like: months-long waits, hours of neuropsychological testing and the importance of establishing a clear baseline. They explain why they chose to be public about Greg’s diagnosis — writing blog posts and having candid public conversations to reduce shame, invite support, and help others feel less alone as they navigate Alzheimer’s in real time. 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://www.beingpatient.com/category...

    33 min

  7. 12/12/2025

    Spotting Cognitive Decline Early: Questions to Ask Your Doctor

    Dr. Anna Chodos, MPH, is the executive director of Dementia Care Aware, an initiative that helps primary care providers across the country improve dementia detection and care. A professor of medicine at Zuckerberg San Francisco General Hospital and the University of California, San Francisco, her clinical work focuses on outpatient geriatrics and dementia care, and her research centers on the unmet needs of older adults, especially those living with dementia. In conversation with Being Patient’s Mark Niu, Chodos breaks down what “cognitive decline” really means, how to tell the difference between normal aging and concerning changes, and which early symptoms should prompt a closer look. She walks through what a basic cognitive assessment in primary care typically involves, offers concrete questions families can bring to appointments, and shares strategies for advocating when concerns are brushed off as “just getting older.” ---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://www.beingpatient.com/category/video/

    30 min

  8. 12/10/2025

    Spotting Cognitive Decline Early: Questions to Ask Your Doctor

    Dr. Anna Chodos, MPH, is the executive director of Dementia Care Aware, an initiative that helps primary care providers across the country improve dementia detection and care. A professor of medicine at Zuckerberg San Francisco General Hospital and the University of California, San Francisco, her clinical work focuses on outpatient geriatrics and dementia care, and her research centers on the unmet needs of older adults, especially those living with dementia. In conversation with Being Patient’s Mark Niu, Chodos breaks down what “cognitive decline” really means, how to tell the difference between normal aging and concerning changes, and which early symptoms should prompt a closer look. She walks through what a basic cognitive assessment in primary care typically involves, offers concrete questions families can bring to appointments, and shares strategies for advocating when concerns are brushed off as “just getting older.” 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/

    30 min
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Ratings & Reviews

4.6
out of 5
10 Ratings

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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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