Research Update: Alzheimer's Disease

In episode 8, we sit down with Ray Dolby Brain Health Center Medical Director Armen Moughamian MD PhD to discuss the latest research and headlines in Alzheimer's disease. We cover the process of taking a new treatment from the lab to the patient, why drug development is especially difficult for Alzheimer's disease, and give our opinions about some of the latest splashy headlines and areas of exciting new research. Articles mentioned in the podcast:Lithium:Clinical trial: https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamaneurology/fullarticle/2845746Animal study:https://www.nature.com/articles/s41586-025-09335-xFocused Ultrasound for Amyloid Antibodies:https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMoa2308719Cochrane Review Amyloid Antibodies:https://www.cochranelibrary.com/cdsr/doi/10.1002/14651858.CD016297/fullTrontinemab:https://www.alzforum.org/therapeutics/trontinemabGLP1 Clinical Trial (EVOKE/EVOKE+):https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lancet/article/PIIS0140-6736(26)00459-9/fulltext

I sit down with Dolby Brain Health Center neurologist Dr. Austin Momii (trained in both stroke neurology and cognitive neurology) to discuss what vascular dementia is, why it's often misdiagnosed, typical symptoms, and the latest science to prevent vascular dementia and protect our overall brain health.

As our loved ones' cognitive abilities change over time, we have to change how we communicate to help them navigate through their day and to show we care. In this episode, we cover best practices in dementia communication and the particular phrases that are never helpful to say (eg "Don't you remember...?"). Our experienced care partners David Benjamin, Kathleen Suryan, and Susan Morenstein share their expert recommendations from years of communicating with their partners. Hosted by Rachel Main and Travis Urban MD.

Experienced caregivers Richard Mendelsohn, Susan Morenstein, and David Benjamin discuss their experiences caring for their loved one in early stage Alzheimer's disease. We touch on how roles can change in the household, emphasizing a loved one's remaining strengths, and how to approach the issue of driving and eventually giving up the car keys.

The care of dementia patients is often long and complex. Families have to navigate changing interpersonal dynamics with their loved one, planning for the future, and increasing caregiver burnout. Social workers, much more so than doctors, are the professionals best equipped to help families navigate the long term care of persons with dementia. To help explain what social work is and the crucial role social workers play in dementia care, I sit down with three experienced social workers at the Ray Dolby Brain Health Center: Alyssa Ghiringhelli ASW, Rebecca Ngu ASW, and Jennice Wong, LCSW. We cover how to find a social worker, how social workers support families, and different models of social work care. A great episode for anyone looking for more support in their journey with dementia or in caring for a loved one with dementia.

First fully approved by the FDA in 2023, anti amyloid antibodies (lecanemab and donanemab) are the first class of medicines to definitively slow the progression of Alzheimer's Disease. Join me for a conversation with CPMC and Sutter Health's Dolby Center Medical Director Armen Moughamian MD, PhD to discuss what these exciting new treatments are, their potential benefits and risks, and which patients are good candidates for treatment. We also touch on some of the initial controversy surrounding these drugs and the clinical trials currently in progress using these medicines to potentially prevent Alzheimer's disease altogether! The episode is a great overview for anyone interested in learning more about the latest in Alzheimer's treatment.

This week we sit down for our first care partner episode with Rachel Main, Alzheimer's Association Family Support Coordinator, and experienced care partners Richard Mendelsohn, Kathleen Suryan, and Laurette Lau to share their initial experiences and reactions after receiving a diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease in their loved one. 

Welcome to the Confronting Dementia podcast! For our first episode, we sit down with Dr. Armen Moughamian MD, PhD Medical Director of Sutter Health’s Ray Dolby Brain Health Center to talk about the basics of dementia and Alzheimer's disease. We cover how dementia and Alzheimer's are different, how to get an evaluation, and the importance of early diagnosis. It's a great place to start for anyone interested in learning more about dementia basics. Join us!