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/

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/

Before his symptoms began, Anthony and Karen Sanone were always on the move, traveling, working and staying active. A former college athlete who played football and baseball, Anthony spent more than 35 years as a chemical sales manager. Karen, a director of human resources at an education agency, now balances her professional role with caregiving. The couple documents their experiences on Anthony’s Instagram account, @anthony_vs_alzheimers, and through their younger-onset caregiver community, Surviving the Now.In this conversation with Being Patient’s Mark Niu, Anthony and Karen talk about the early warning signs and the long, often confusing road to a younger-onset Alzheimer’s diagnosis. They discuss navigating work, pursuing treatment with Leqembi, managing seizures, and reshaping daily life around routines, travel strategies, and safety. Karen also shares candid advice on planning for the future, building a support system and finding ways to “live in the moment” and make meaningful memories, even as the disease 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://www.beingpatient.com/category/video/

Neuroscience has long focused on neurons, but researchers are turning their attention to another kind of brain cell: glial cells. These non-neuronal cells help shape information processing, support brain circuits and influence vulnerability to neurodegenerative diseases — and there are roughly as many glial cells in the human brain as neurons.Terrence Sejnowski, PhD, is a professor and laboratory head of the Computational Neurobiology Laboratory and Francis Crick Chair at the Salk Institute for Biological Studies. In a recent Salk study, he and his team compared glial cell organization across different brain regions and mammal species, finding striking patterns in how these cells are arranged. His work looks at how glial cells differ across brain regions and species, and what those patterns might mean for brain function and disease risk.In this interview, Sejnowski explains the three main types of glial cells and their roles: astrocytes that help feed neurons and support learning and memory, microglia that act like janitors clearing waste and damage, and oligodendrocytes that insulate nerve fibers so signals travel faster. He discusses how glial cells help clean the brain during sleep, how they may be involved early in conditions like Alzheimer’s and multiple sclerosis, and why some research suggests glia could be a better marker of brain health than neurons alone. His insights point to a future in which understanding and protecting glial cells could open new paths for prevention and treatment.—-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://www.beingpatient.com/category/video/

Can improving hearing help preserve memory and thinking as we age? Hearing loss isn’t just an inconvenience of aging — it’s now considered one of the top modifiable risk factors for dementia.Kimberly Mueller, Ph.D., is an associate professor in the Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders at the University of Wisconsin–Madison and a researcher with the Wisconsin Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center. Her work focuses on how speech and language change in preclinical Alzheimer’s, mild cognitive impairment and dementia. She also leads a clinical trial testing whether over-the-counter hearing aids can benefit people who have mild cognitive impairment and are found to have age-related hearing loss.In this conversation with Being Patient’s Mark Niu, Mueller explains why hearing loss is both common and treatable — affecting about one in three adults over 65 — and why it is now considered one of the top modifiable risk factors for dementia. She breaks down how untreated hearing loss can strain the brain, contribute to social isolation and potentially accelerate cognitive decline, and she discusses how new hearing technologies and over-the-counter devices might expand access to care. Mueller also shares early insights from her hearing aid trial, communication strategies for families, and emerging research using everyday speech patterns as a sensitive tool to detect brain changes earlier than standard memory testing.—-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/

Could AI-driven retinal imaging flag Alzheimer’s decades before symptoms start? That question is central to RetiSpec’s mission. The health technology company is developing AI-powered retinal imaging to detect Alzheimer’s-related biomarkers, like amyloid — by looking at the back of the eye. Catherine Bornbaum, PhD, RetiSpec’s chief business officer, says the aim is to make biomarker testing simpler, more scalable, and easier for people to access.In this conversation with Being Patient’s founder Deborah Kan, Bornbaum explains how decades of research show that changes in the back of the eye can mirror the structural, functional and molecular changes of Alzheimer’s in the brain, making the retina a powerful, noninvasive window for early detection.Bornbaum also describes how AI-driven, real-time analysis of eye images using cameras already in optometrists’ offices could make eye exams a practical access point for noninvasive Alzheimer’s biomarker testing.—-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/

Parkinson’s cases are rising. Dr. Ray Dorsey says our environment is a big reason why. In “The Parkinson’s Plan,” Dorsey and co-author Dr. Michael Okun argue that modifiable environmental exposures are fueling the disease, and they outline practical steps to reduce risk and improve treatment.Dorsey is a professor of neurology at the University of Rochester and a public health advocate focused on eliminating toxic exposures linked to neurodegenerative disease. A co-author of “Ending Parkinson’s Disease,” he has testified before Congress, advised the World Health Organization and was recognized by the White House as a Champion for Change. He also serves as the founding director of the Center for the Brain & Environment at Atria Health and Research Institute.In this conversation with Being Patient founder Deborah Kan, Dorsey explains why most Parkinson’s cases appear to be driven more by environmental chemicals than by genes, and what that means for prevention. He outlines practical steps — from reducing pesticide and solvent exposure to filtering water and air — alongside evidence-backed habits like vigorous exercise and getting specialist care. —-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/

In our latest “Ask Teepa Anything” Live Talk, dementia care expert Teepa Snow answers caregivers’ real-world questions — from safe ways to help a person up after a fall to medication trade-offs, late-stage planning, and day-to-day communication.Snow is an occupational therapist with more than 40 years of clinical and academic experience. She developed the GEMS States of Brain Change and the Positive Approach training strategies, founded Positive Approach to Care, and co-founded the Snow Approach Foundation in Hillsborough, North Carolina. —-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/

Dr. Laura Baker, PhD, is a professor of gerontology and geriatric medicine at Wake Forest University School of Medicine and the principal investigator of the U.S. POINTER study, a large, Alzheimer’s Association–backed trial inspired by Finland’s landmark FINGER study. Designed to test whether lifestyle can protect brain health in a diverse U.S. population, POINTER enrolled 2,111 adults ages 60 to 79 across five regions. Participants who were not already exercising or eating a Mediterranean-style diet engaged in lifestyle changes across four pillars: physical activity, nutrition, cognitive and social engagement, and tracking health numbers like blood pressure and blood sugar.In this interview with Being Patient’s Mark Niu, Baker traces how POINTER was designed, what a coach-supported lifestyle program looks like in practice, and why community partners matter. She also previews what’s ahead — from brain imaging to sleep and vascular findings — and offers practical guidance for caregivers and older adults.—-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://www.beingpatient.com/category/video/

Originally from Argentina, educator and creative entrepreneur Laura Tobi, 58, moved to the U.S. 26 years ago. An educational designer by training, she has worked with labor unions, corporations, government, and public and private school systems, later founding a Miami-based business to cultivate creative thinking for learners of all ages. After years as a caregiver to her both husband and daughter through serious chronic illnesses, she and her husband relocated to North Carolina in 2024, where she noticed increased memory problems. A neurologist connected the dots: a lumbar puncture confirmed Alzheimer’s, and further evaluation found epilepsy, revealing silent seizures. In this interview with Being Patient’s Mark Niu, Tobi shares how she pairs Leqembi infusions with lifestyle changes inspired by the Ornish program — nutrition, exercise, stress management, and social support — while staying rooted in community through volunteering, teaching, improv, and clay sculpture in her home studio. Her takeaways: build community, stay mentally and physically active, advocate for yourself, and keep seeking joy — through teaching, volunteering, improv, and making art.—-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/