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2 episodes with aging center
2 episodes with aging center
2 episodes with aging center
2 episodes with aging center
When someone we know or love starts to develop psychological issues, we don't often associate it with a form of dementia. However, this trait is one of the most common signs of frontotemporal dementia (FTD) — the most common neurodegenerative disease in people under the age of 65. In his new book, Mysteries of the Social Brain: Understanding Human Behavior Through Science, Dr. Bruce Miller highlights his experiences observing people with FTD and what they have taught him about what he calls the "social brain."Dr. Bruce Miller has been observing people with FTD for decades in the Memory and Aging Center at the University of San Francisco, where he is also Professor of Neurology and the Founding Director of the Global Brain Health Institute. He shares key insights on how to keep our "social brain" healthy and how it can even unlock our creative potential.
New research from UC San Francisco's Memory and Aging Center suggests that a decline in one region of the brain can cause other regions to “step in to help” – unlocking surprising capacities like deeper empathy or creativity. We talk to two UCSF doctors about why this has implications for any neurodegenerative disorder, including dementia. They join us to share their dementia-related discoveries. Their new book is “Mysteries of the Social Brain.” Guests: Dr. Bruce Miller, A.W. and Mary Margaret Clausen Distinguished Professor in Neurology, UCSF; Director of the UCSF Memory and Aging Center; founding director of the Global Brain Health Institute Dr. Virginia Sturm, professor in the Departments of Neurology and Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, UCSF Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Top Psychologists John Gartner and Harry Segal are joined by Professor of Neuropsychology and Neurology at UCFF Dr. Joel Kramer, as they parse significant differences between Biden's chronic stutter and Trump's glaring dementia. Make sure you join us here on Patreon to support our work and gain access to exclusive perks: patreon.com/ReallyAmericanMedia Our site: https://cms.megaphone.fm/channel/shrinking-trump Subscribe on iTunes: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/really-political/id1742461616 Subscribe on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/6AEHmPMAqDlLJEbMgXq1iJ Subscribe on Amazon Music: https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/83ca7283-59fb-4cb7-a34b-03c4b0218f29 Subscribe on iHeartRadio: https://www.iheart.com/podcast/269-really-political-169545670/ Dr. Joel Kramer is the director of the neuropsychology program at the UCSF Memory and Aging Center. He studies the effects of neurodegenerative disease on intellectual abilities and behavior. Dr. Kramer was quoted in the Washington Post last week saying that the risk for both Biden and Trump are “about the same for demonstrating some degree of cognitive decline over the next four to five years.” Our host John Gartner brought him on the show to challenge this conclusion. The Post failed to mention that in their interview Dr. Kramer also said, “Biden has an established history of a developmental language disorder - stuttering, while Trump's gaffes are more likely driven by disordered thinking.” Welcome to another addition of Shrinking Trump, our weekly show where we review the ways in which Trump's behavior over the past week demonstrates signs of early onset of dementia, and express his malignant personality disorder. “And each week,” Dr. Segal says, “we've been trying to help you, our listeners, as well as the media, to think about Trump in a more clinically sophisticated and accurate way.” We'll analyze Trump's wildest episodes from the past week and point out the different variables that likely influence his shifting behaviors and cognitive ability. From forgetting the name of Joe Biden and the Doctor who administered his cognitive test, to calling Milwaukee a “horrible” city, to suggesting that Nancy Pelosi would want to date him, Trump “really writes his own Saturday Night Live cold open,” as Dr. Gartner puts it. “Why are we talking about this? Because there's a deterioration in his frontal lobes that are causing him to become disinhibited and lose his executive functioning.” Clips on social media can be distorted and misleading. At times Trump can be articulate and forceful. But as our hosts show you each week, there is likely enough video evidence to diagnose actual signs of a progressive dementia and cognitive decline. “As I predicted when we started this show two months ago, he will continue to get worse, Dr. Gartner said. “He will continue to show these symptoms more and more.” Dr. Kramer answers Dr. Gartner's challenge, defend his statements, and will walk us through the major differences between Trump and Biden, as both a concerned citizen and as a practicing neuropsychologist. “You and I are taking a big risk by coming on this show every week and talking, not definitively, but arguing strongly for a diagnosis of Trump,” Dr. Segal said. “Not just what seems to me to be an onset of cognitive decline, but also his severe personality disorder. But the mainstream press doesn't want to come out and label Trump. And so they're just putting it out there that they're both old. I think it's cowardly. I don't think it helps the public.” Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Episode 163: Vascular Dementia Future Dr. Ruby explains gives a definition of vascular dementia and concisely explains the pathophysiology and presentation of this disease. Dr. Arreaza reminds us of the importance of treating diabetes to prevent dementia. Written by Carmen Ruby, MSIV, Ross University School of Medicine. Editing and comments by Hector Arreaza, MD. You are listening to Rio Bravo qWeek Podcast, your weekly dose of knowledge brought to you by the Rio Bravo Family Medicine Residency Program from Bakersfield, California, a UCLA-affiliated program sponsored by Clinica Sierra Vista, Let Us Be Your Healthcare Home. This podcast was created for educational purposes only. Visit your primary care provider for additional medical advice.What is vascular dementia?Vascular dementia is a condition that arises due to damage to blood vessels that reduce or block blood flow to the brain. A stroke can block an artery and result in various symptoms, such as changes in memory, thinking, or movement. Other conditions like high blood pressure or diabetes can also damage blood vessels and lead to memory or thinking problems over time.Vascular dementia (VaD) is a type of dementia that slowly worsens cognitive functions and is thought to be caused by vascular disease within the brain. Patients with VaD often exhibit symptoms similar to Alzheimer's disease (AD) patients. However, the changes in the brain are not due to Alzheimer's disease pathology (amyloid plaques and neurofibrillary tangles) but due to a chronic reduction in blood flow to the brain, eventually leading to dementia. Alzheimer's disease pathophysiology is very complex, and studies have shown that patients with AD can experience simultaneously several vascular issues that can affect cognitive function. For example, patients with AD may experience mini-strokes and have a reduction of the flow of oxygen and nutrients to the brain tissue. So, AD can be worsened by vascular factors as well, but the vascular factors are not the main problem in AD.Clinically, patients with VaD can appear very similar to those with AD, which makes it difficult to distinguish between the two diseases. Nevertheless, some clinical symptoms and brain imaging findings suggest that vascular disease is contributing to, if not entirely explaining, a patient's cognitive impairment.Epidemiology.In the US, VaD is the 2nd most common type of dementia (15-20% of cases). Prevalence increases with age (∼ 1–4% in patients ≥ 65 years.) People affected by vascular dementia typically start experiencing symptoms after age 65, although the risk is significantly higher for people in their 80s and 90s.EtiologyVaD may occur as a result of prolonged and severe cerebral ischemia of any etiology, primarily:Large artery occlusion (usually cortical ischemia) *Acute*Lacunar stroke (small vessel occlusion resulting in subcortical ischemia) *Acute/Subacute**Chronic* subcortical ischemiaRisk factors:Advanced ageHistory of strokeUnderlying conditions associated with cardiovascular disease:Chronic hypertensionDiabetesDyslipidemiaObesitySmokingClinical Features:Symptoms depend on the location of ischemic events and, therefore, vary widely amongst individuals, but a progressive impairment of daily life is common. Because of the diverse clinical picture, the term "vascular cognitive impairment" is gaining popularity over Vascular Dementia.Dementia due to small vessel disease:Symptoms tend to progress gradually or in a stepwise fashion and comparatively slower than in multi-infarct dementia.Generally associated with signs of subcortical pathology:Dementia due to large vessel disease Usually, sudden onsetMulti-infarct dementia: typically, stepwise deterioration Generally associated with signs of cortical pathology:Early symptomsReduced executive functioningLoss of visuospatial abilitiesConfusion ApathyMotor disorders (e.g., gait disturbance, urinary incontinence)Later symptomsImpaired memoryFurther cognitive decline: loss of judgment, disorientationMood disorders (e.g., euphoria, depression)Behavioral changes (e.g., aggressiveness)Advanced stages: further motor deterioration: dysphagia, dysarthriaDementia due to large vessel disease Usually, sudden onsetMulti-infarct dementia: typically, stepwise deterioration Generally associated with signs of cortical pathology:Cognitive impairment in combination with asymmetric or focal deficits (e.g., unilateral visual field defects, hemiparesis, Babinski reflex present)Overall, the symptoms vary depending on which areas of the brain are affected.Management and TreatmentThere is hope when it comes to managing the symptoms of vascular dementia. Although there is no cure for the condition, there are medications available that can help make life easier for those living with it. Additionally, there are drugs commonly used to treat memory issues in Alzheimer's disease that may be effective for individuals with vascular dementia. Sometimes, people with vascular dementia may experience mood changes, such as depression or irritability. These changes can be managed with medications used for depression or anxiety.Vascular risk modification: If your patient is experiencing cognitive impairment and has clinical or radiologic evidence of cerebrovascular pathology, getting screened for vascular risk factors, especially hypertension, is essential. Treatment can help prevent dementia, but it may not be as effective in reversing it. Statins are given after a stroke regardless of lipid levels.Antithrombotic therapy: For patients with vascular dementia who have had a clinical ischemic stroke or transient ischemic attack, they must receive the appropriate antithrombotic therapy based on the specific stroke subtype to help prevent any future ischemic strokes.When considering antiplatelet therapy for patients with vascular dementia who have not had a clinical ischemic stroke or TIA, it is important to make an individualized decision. For instance, we may prescribe aspirin at a dosage of 50-100 mg daily for patients with an infarction seen on brain imaging but not for those with only white matter lesions.Cholinesterase inhibitor therapy: It is recommended to start cholinesterase inhibitor therapy, such as donepezil or galantamine, for patients with vascular dementia who have a gradual cognitive decline that is not a direct result of a stroke. The evidence suggests that this treatment may offer a small cognitive benefit, but the clinical significance is unclear. Experts do not recommend cholinesterase inhibitors for patients with dementia diagnosed after a stroke if there is no gradual cognitive decline.Antipsychotics: We can briefly mention antipsychotics. They may be used but we have to remember they may increase mortality in the elderly, and the patient and family must be aware of this risk. Some examples are risperidone, quetiapine, and olanzapine, use them cautiously. Let's talk beyond medications, what other treatments can we offer? Non-pharmacologic options: In addition to medications, there are various ways to help a person with vascular dementia. Research has shown that physical exercise, sleep hygiene, and maintaining a healthy weight can not only enhance brain health but also reduce the risk of heart problems, stroke, and other diseases that affect blood vessels. Patients must be encouraged to eat a balanced diet, get enough sleep,limit alcohol intake, and encouraged to quit smoking, as these are other crucial ways to promote good brain health and reduce the risk of heart disease. Additionally, comorbid conditions such as diabetes, high blood pressure, or high cholesterol, must be treated, because they affect brain function and quality of life overall.It is essential to understand that emotional outbursts and personality changes can be caused by underlying brain disease and are not always intentional responses or reactions. When behavior problems overwhelm an individual, their family members, or friends, it is critical to seek support. Patient and caregiver support groups are helpful, offering a space to vent, grieve, and gain practical advice from others experiencing similar challenges. Exploring other sources of support, such as adult day programs, can also benefit caregivers and individuals affected by vascular dementia. Conclusion: Now we conclude episode number 163, “Vascular dementia basics.” Future Dr. Ruby explained that vascular dementia is mainly caused by an impaired circulation of blood and oxygen to certain areas in the brain. This can be a result of large or small vessel disease. Dr. Arreaza reminded us of the importance of treating diabetes as a way to prevent dementia. This week we thank Hector Arreaza and Carmen Ruby. Audio editing by Adrianne Silva.Even without trying, every night you go to bed a little wiser. Thanks for listening to Rio Bravo qWeek Podcast. We want to hear from you, send us an email at RioBravoqWeek@clinicasierravista.org, or visit our website riobravofmrp.org/qweek. See you next week! _____________________References:Smith, MD EE, Wright, MD, MS CB. Treatment of Vascular Cognitive Impairment and Dementia. Wilterdink, MD JL, ed. UpToDate. Published online May 24, 2022. Accessed February 27, 2024. https://www.uptodate.comVascular Dementia. Memory and Aging Center. Published 2020. https://memory.ucsf.edu/dementia/vascular-dementiaVascular dementia. AMBOSS. Published online June 29, 2023. Accessed February 28, 2024. https://www.amboss.com/usWhat Happens to the Brain in Alzheimer's Disease? National Institute on Aging, https://www.nia.nih.gov/health/alzheimers-causes-and-risk-factors/what-happens-brain-alzheimers-disease. Royalty-free music used for this episode: Space Orbit by Scott Holmes, downloaded on July 20, 2022 from https://freemusicarchive.org/music/Scott_Holmes/.
Brain Talk | Being Patient for Alzheimer's & dementia patients & caregivers
Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI) is associated with early stages of neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer's and other dementias. Many people living with dementia cite symptoms of MCI as an early sign. Yet, there's lots of confusion with what might be “normal” memory loss that comes with aging or a sign to see a doctor. UCSF's Emily Paolillo, PhD, joins Being Patient Live Talks to explain MCI and what goes into diagnosis. As an Assistant Professor at the UCSF Memory and Aging Center, her clinical work includes providing neuropsychological evaluations to aid in diagnosis and treatment of patients with possible neurodegenerative diseases. In addition, her research focuses on evaluating digital health tools for early detection and monitoring of neurobehavioral changes in Alzheimer's disease, as well as understanding how lifestyle behaviors can grant risk and resilience to dementia. RSVP to this live talk to learn more about MCI and what to keep in mind about diagnosis. 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: / 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...#Alzheimers #Dementia #MCI #BrainHealth
We are full-service here on MESSmerized as we transition out of back-to-school topics and jump to the other end of the age pendulum with aging parents. Dr. Mary Norman joins us today with an incredibly wise and practical discussion on loving our aging parents well. She gives us considerations for immediate action if our parents are healthy today, as well as ways to be helpful if they require more assistance. Don't miss her advice on these important topics: Legal documents and conversations to have now if your parents are doing well How to gracefully get involved in your parents' healthcare What is “normal” and what deserves further consideration with memory loss Thoughts on medical care facilities and choosing the right one This show is jam-packed with wisdom for those of us caring for parents now, or those who will be doing it in the coming years. Oh, and fun-fact: Dr. Norman and I are related, but we don't really know how so we just call each other cousins. More on that in the show. All Things Cynthia Yanof Dr. Mary Norman Dementia: Alzheimer's Association Aging Topics, dementia, advance care planning: National Institute on Aging Center for Disease Control and Prevention For Texas specifically: Area Agency on Aging (AAA)- Texas Health and Human Services For Dallas placements: Senior Living Specialists- Paul Markowitz - founder
In this episode, Kim Kleavland, NP interviews psychiatrist Dr. Abhilash Desai to discuss recent research on modifiable risk factors for dementia. Local resources: Saint Alphonsus Geriatrics and Palliative Care (208) 302-5400 Idaho Memory and Aging Center (208) 323-1125
In this live panel at the UCSF Memory and Aging Center, Emily sits down with playwright Jake Broder, actor Lucy Davenport, and neurologist Bruce Miller to discuss Broder's play UnRavelled, which explores the fascinating relationship between dementia, art, and music. Find show notes, transcript, and more at thenocturnists.com.
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration is expected to approve the experimental dementia drug Lecanemab as soon as this week, a move embraced by Alzheimer's disease researchers after trials showed it slowed the progression of the disease in some patients with mild cognitive impairment. The new potential therapy is also raising hopes that it could help those who are symptom-free but have brain changes -- detected by new blood tests -- that signal Alzheimer's. We'll talk about the latest advances in Alzheimer's research. Guests: Dr. Adam Boxer, endowed professor in memory and aging and professor of neurology, UCSF - He directs UCSF's Neurosciences Clinical Research Unit and the Alzheimer's Disease and Frontotemporal Degeneration Clinical Trials Program at the UCSF Memory and Aging Center. Dr. Kristine Yaffe, professor of psychiatry, neurology and epidemiology, UCSF - She also directs UCSF's Center for Population Brain Health. Dr. Michael Weiner, professor of radiology, UCSF - principal investigator of the Alzheimer's Disease Neuroimaging Initiative Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
In this episode, we learn about prions and the neurodegenerative diseases they cause. Join us as Michael Terranova explains how these rare infectious proteins impact patients and why the medical community needs to be aware of their effects. Michael Terranova earned his BS and MS degrees at UC San Diego, and he is currently a medical student at the Loyola University Chicago Stritch School of Medicine. A lifelong interest in neurology led Michael to research the neurobiology of substance use at the San Diego Veterans Affairs Healthcare System before researching rapidly progressive dementias at the UC San Francisco Memory and Aging Center. He is also an avid automotive enthusiast, having participated in the Society of Automotive Engineers International Collegiate Design Series and restored multiple classic cars with his family. The opinions expressed in this podcast do not constitute medical advice and do not represent the views or opinions of the institutions, researchers, or patient advocacy groups discussed during the interview. Additional resources related to prion disease can be found at: https://memory.ucsf.edu/dementia/rapidly-progressive-dementias https://cjdfoundation.org https://case.edu/medicine/pathology/divisions/prion-center/ http://www.cureffi.org Episode produced by: Jackie Tarsitano Episode recording date: 7/13/22 www.medicuspodcast.com | medicuspodcast@gmail.com | Donate: http://bit.ly/MedicusDonate --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/medicus/message
IN CONVERSATION WITH THE AUTHOR Join BRIAN LAWLOR, Deputy Executive Director, Global Brain Health Institute, in conversation with CINDY WEINSTEIN, Atlantic Fellow for Equity in Brain Health & author of FINDING THE RIGHT WORDS (written in collaboration with BRUCE MILLER, Co-Director, Global Brain Health Institute & Director, Memory & Aging Center, University of California San Francisco). Moderator | JEMMA STRINGER, Program & Impact Lead, Atlantic Institute. Part of the ATLANTIC FELLOWS (www.atlanticfellows.org/) LITERARY & STORYTELLING FESTIVAL 2022. The ATLANTIC INSTITUTE is based in Oxford, England and works to promote connection and collaboration among Fellows from the seven Atlantic equity-focused programs around the world in the pursuit of fairer, healthier, more inclusive societies.
This episode is part 2 of a 2-part conversation with Di Patterson. The previous conversation addressed the importance of being relationally rich.In this emotional episode, Di shares how common it is to live your life in fear of getting old. So many people are living in silent desperation, wondering what the future will hold for them.But Di provides a simple, yet powerful, exercise that will help you regain your command of aging and live well.Di Patterson, MSG, CPG is a Credentialed Professional Media Gerontologist, and founder at Success in Aging Center®, Inc. and Season of Life® Conference, Inc. Since 1979, Di co-produced several music albums and co-owns Matters of the Heart Music. Since 2008, Di has won 10 National Mature Media Awards and New Product and Technology Awards at dipatterson.com, successinagingcenters.com and her app: Season of Life® Conferences.In 2012, Di won Senior Care Hero Awards Advocate, Gerontologist and Educator of the Year. In 2015, Di was a guest Gerontologist on NBC's The TODAY Show, speaking about Senior day programs and caregiving for older adults. Di worked as an Aging consultant on several movies; most notably for Jerry Lewis on his last movie, Max Rose, released in 2016. Di is a guest judge for seniorawards.com.In 2017, Di hosted her first Season of Life® Conference at Biola University, bringing Pat and Debby Boone onstage to sing and tell their vibrant Aging stories. Di uses media arts to promote her Success in Aging® brands at Success in Aging Center® Inc., Success in Aging TV® and Season of Life® Conference, Inc., a CA Aging Education 501c3 where she is Creative Director of Videos and Essentials Boxes.Di currently proudly serves as a Board member of Meals on Wheels, Orange County, sits on the Board of the Biola University Alumni Leadership Council, and is an ambassador for Alzheimers, Orange County.Di is a member of GSA: Gerontological Society of America, NAPG: National Association for Professional Gerontologists, ASA: American Society on Aging, and CCGG: California Council on Gerontology and Geriatrics.Di's book LIFE, CAMERA, ACTION! is available on Kindle at Amazon.com.Di can be reached at www.dipatterson.comTo learn more, visit:www.servingstrong.comListen to more episodes on Mission Matters:www.missionmatters.com/author/scott-couchenour
In this part 1 of a 2-part conversation with Di Patterson. Host Scott says “You will love Di (America's Gerontologist)” as she shares her views on the importance of relationships as we age. Many people who have experienced 40 know that 40 is a pivotal age. Things seem to begin to “go south”, although these changes began much earlier. Men begin a strength decline at age 18, and women's need for bone calcium begins at age 10. And everyone's kidneys performed at their peak at age 5. Humbling, isn't it? It is within this context we discuss the importance of relationships. Listen as Di teaches how LOVE is the key to aging well.Di Patterson, MSG, CPG is a Credentialed Professional Media Gerontologist, and founder at Success in Aging Center®, Inc. and Season of Life® Conference, Inc. Since 1979, Di co-produced several music albums and co-owns Matters of the Heart Music. Since 2008, Di has won 10 National Mature Media Awards and New Product and Technology Awards at dipatterson.com, successinagingcenters.com and her app: Season of Life® Conferences.In 2012, Di won Senior Care Hero Awards Advocate, Gerontologist and Educator of the Year. In 2015, Di was a guest Gerontologist on NBC's The TODAY Show, speaking about Senior day programs and caregiving for older adults. Di worked as an Aging consultant on several movies; most notably for Jerry Lewis on his last movie, Max Rose, released in 2016. Di is a guest judge for seniorawards.com.In 2017, Di hosted her first Season of Life® Conference at Biola University, bringing Pat and Debby Boone onstage to sing and tell their vibrant Aging stories. Di uses media arts to promote her Success in Aging® brands at Success in Aging Center® Inc., Success in Aging TV® and Season of Life® Conference, Inc., a CA Aging Education 501c3 where she is Creative Director of Videos and Essentials Boxes.Di currently proudly serves as a Board member of Meals on Wheels, Orange County, sits on the Board of the Biola University Alumni Leadership Council, and is an ambassador for Alzheimers, Orange County. Di is a member of GSA: Gerontological Society of America, NAPG: National Association for Professional Gerontologists, ASA: American Society on Aging, and CCGG: California Council on Gerontology and Geriatrics.Di's book LIFE, CAMERA, ACTION! is available on Kindle at Amazon.com.Di can be reached at www.dipatterson.comTo learn more, visit: www.servingstrong.comListen to more episodes on Mission Matters:www.missionmatters.com/author/scott-couchenour
It's our last episode of our dementia research mini-series! And as a follow up to our recap of Day 4, we interviewed Dr. Adam Boxer to learn more about fluid biomarkers - AKA - we ask him all about what the bloodwork and lumbar puncture is used for. Stay tuned for a very special ending of our 8-part series. Thank you for coming on the journey with us and please let us know what you think of this series by reaching out to us on our website! www.remembermeftd.com Adam L. Boxer, MD, PhD, is Endowed Professor in Memory and Aging in the Department of Neurology at the University of California, San Francisco (UCSF). He directs UCSF's Neurosciences Clinical Research Unit and the Alzheimer's Disease and Frontotemporal Degeneration (FTD) Clinical Trials Program at the UCSF Memory and Aging Center. Dr. Boxer's research is focused on developing new treatments and biomarkers for neurodegenerative diseases, particularly those involving tau and TDP-43. Dr. Boxer received his medical and doctorate degrees as part of the NIH-funded Medical Scientist Training Program at New York University Medical Center. He completed an internship in Internal Medicine at California Pacific Medical Center, a residency in Neurology at Stanford University Medical Center, followed by a fellowship in behavioral neurology at UCSF. We loved Dr. Boxer! Enjoy the science side of our experience, you guys! -- Special thank you to the ALLFTD Study for their support in the creation of this series. You can support Remember Me by visiting our website www.remembermeftd.com where you can shop our merch, join re-members only or donate. You can follow us on instagram @remembermepodcast. ---- Today's sponsor is The Bluefield Project: The Bluefield Project to Cure FTD, is on a mission to support research to improve our understanding of a genetic form of Frontotemporal dementia, and to help find a cure for this devastating disease. So how can you help? If FTD runs in your family, participating in a Natural History Study, or in a therapeutic clinical trial, makes an enormous contribution. To learn more, please go to ftdregistry.org ---- Remember Me is a podcast created by two moms who became fast friends on Instagram while caregiving for their parents. It features stories of Frontotemporal Dementia (FTD) with a focus on remembering individuals for who they were before the disease. The stories shared are raw, real, and so full of love. We hope it inspires you to "accept the good." --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/rememberme/support
So this week's episode is all about speech production. Speech is a fundamental way of communicating our needs, desires, threats, resources, etc to our conspecifics. But do you know about the circuits and muscles and brain regions responsible for our ability to physically produce speech? Curious? Come and take a listen! Please rate, review, and subscribe and if you have any questions, comments, concerns, queries, or complaints, please email me at neuroscienceamateurhour@gmail.com or DM me at NeuroscienceAmateurHour on Instagram.Citations and relevant papers below:Birds Raised In Complete Isolation Evolve “Normal” Species Song Over Generations. ScienceDaily. Accessed June 6, 2022. https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/05/090503132617.htmHuman language may have evolved to help our ancestors make tools. www.science.org. https://www.science.org/content/article/human-language-may-have-evolved-help-our-ancestors-make-toolsLudlow CL. Central nervous system control of the laryngeal muscles in humans. Respiratory physiology & neurobiology. 2005;147(2-3):205-222. doi:10.1016/j.resp.2005.04.015Petko B, Tadi P. Neuroanatomy, Nucleus Ambiguus. PubMed. Published 2022. Accessed June 6, 2022. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK547744/#:~:text=The%20nucleus%20ambiguus%20is%20theGuy-Evans O. Motor Cortex Function and Location | Simply Psychology. www.simplypsychology.org. Published September 8, 2021. https://www.simplypsychology.org/motor-cortex.html#:~:text=The%20motor%20cortex%20is%20anSimonyan K. The Laryngeal Motor Cortex: Its Organization and Connectivity. Current opinion in neurobiology. 2014;0:15-21. doi:10.1016/j.conb.2014.05.006Kearney E, Guenther FH. Articulating: the neural mechanisms of speech production. Language, Cognition and Neuroscience. 2019;34(9):1214-1229. doi:10.1080/23273798.2019.1589541@neurochallenged. Know Your Brain: Broca's Area. @neurochallenged. https://neuroscientificallychallenged.com/posts/know-your-brain-brocas-areaUniversity of California San Francisco. Speech & Language. Memory and Aging Center. Published 2019. https://memory.ucsf.edu/symptoms/speech-languageSupport the show
Helen Bundy Medsger, LBD Peer Mentor, Support Group Facilitator and Support Services Volunteer, Lewy Body Dementia Association, is Heidi's very special guest on today's episode. For over 30 years, Helen has been the primary caregiver and health care advocate for two generations of her family who have suffered from Parkinson's Disease with Lewy Body Dementia, and three members of her family have succumbed to the disease: her father, sister and youngest brother. In addition to being an advisor to Lewy Body Ireland, she is the facilitator of the North Bay Lewy Body Dementia Support Group, is a support services volunteer for the Lewy Body Dementia Association, a trained LBD caregiver peer mentor, and a member of the University of California – San Francisco (UCSF) Memory & Aging Center's Family Advisory Council. Helen is also a member of the Dementia Community Research Advisory Panel at the Global Brain Health Institute, a former LBD consultant to the Care Ecosystem Study at UCSF's Memory & Aging Center, and a speaker for various organizations on the topic of caregiving LBD. Most recently, she was federally appointed one of two caregiver representatives to the Advisory Council on Alzheimer's Research, Care, and Services under the U.S. Dept. of Health and Human Services making recommendations to the HHS Secretary and Congress. Heidi and Helen open the episode by discussing the traumatic experience of trying to treat and care for a family member with Lewy Body Dementia, especially when there was a lack of research and a high misdiagnosis rate. Helen details the symptoms and behavioral changes her father underwent, and notes that no medications slow or stop the progression of LBD. To those with family members suffering from LBD, Helen emphasizes how important it is to allow the patient to express their desires early in the disease process when they're still capable of doing so, and highly recommends that social and physical engagement is absolutely paramount for LBD patients. Helen adds that, in addition to the patients themselves, the family and loved ones also deserve and need help during this emotionally draining time, and understands that while therapeutic support groups might not be for everyone, some form of therapy can do so much for those dealing with the brunt of caregiving duties. She delves into her sister's experience getting involved in LBD research and how beneficial that experience was, and addresses the healthcare system and why it's not conducive for those with LBD. Helen draws the conversation to a close by directing the audience to the LBD Association website for additional resources. Episode Highlights: Helen on losing family members to LBD LBD as the most expensive form of dementia Young onset isn't all that rare for LBD patients The effectiveness of PET scans (specifically DaTscan), cardiac MIBG, sleep studies, and biomarker testing currently in development Patient sensitivity to medications; no medications slow or stop the progression of LBD The importance of the patient expressing desires early in the disease process The importance of social and physical engagement Therapy options for family members and loved ones LBD as a systemic disease Why getting involved in research can be a good thing Why doctors need to be patient with those with LBD Quotes: “It wasn't until 1996 that he passed away–that the first diagnostic criteria for LBD was published. And to be honest, I really thought his diagnosis was a one-off, just a random occurrence in the family.” “I've heard it time and time again referred to LBD as the most common dementia you've never heard of.” “So, the one qualifying statement I want to make in all of this, and that's something I'd like to direct to the physicians: just because an individual is under the age of 65, and historically, most dementias show up 65 and above–whether they're under that age or even under the age of 50, don't...
Di Patterson, Founder of Success in Aging Center, and Mary Barnett, Founder and CEO of Another Brilliant Idea, Inc, join the program to discuss how to help seniors overcome the hopelessness that they may sometimes feel and the need to help older individuals break out of isolation. They also reveal the details about the Success in Aging® Essentials Box collection; a thoughtfully curated, gerontologist-approved gift box designed to empower older adults, people living with disabilities, veterans, and the widowed by giving those who love them an easy way to show their affection and thoughtfulness.
Lori La Bey talks with Cindy Weinstein, who was a graduate student at UC Berkeley, when her father, was diagnosed with early-onset Alzheimer's disease. For decades, Cindy tried to get back to before, and to come to terms with her father's journey. Her healing began in her new book, Finding the Right Words. Cindy is the Eli and Edythe Broad Professor of English at the California Institute of Technology. Joining us is Cindy's co-author Bruce L. Miller. He is the A.W. and Mary Margaret Clausen Distinguished Professor in Neurology at the University of California, San Francisco. Bruce is also the director of the Memory and Aging Center and the codirector of the Global Brain Health Institute. Call in and join the conversation. Ask your questions or make a comment at (323) 870-4602 Website Purchase the book - Johns Hopkins University Press Amazon Contact Lori La Bey Alzheimer's Speaks Radio - Shifting dementia care from crisis to comfort around the world one episode at a time since 2011.
In this podcast Dr Claire Sexton, Director of Scientific Programs & Outreach at the Alzheimer's Association interviews Professor Cindy Weinstein and Professor Bruce L. Miller. Discussing their collaboration on a new book ‘Finding the Right Words – a story of literature, grief, and the brain'. This podcast was originally recorded as an ISTAART webinar in August 2021. This is the moving story of an English professor studying neurology in order to understand and come to terms with her father's death from Alzheimer's. Finding the Right Words follows Cindy's decades-long journey to come to terms with her father's dementia as both a daughter and an English professor. Although her lifelong love of language and literature gave her a way to talk about her grief, she realized that she also needed to learn more about the science of dementia to make sense of her father's death. To write her story, she collaborated with Professor Bruce L. Miller, neurologist and director of the Memory and Aging Center at the University of California, and Co-Director of the Global Brain Health Institute. It combines a personal memoir, literature, and the science and history of brain health into a unique, educational, and meditative work. Cindy articulates dealing with a life-changing diagnosis, describing the shock of her father's diagnosis and his loss of language and identity. Writing in response Bruce describes the neurological processes responsible for the symptoms displayed by her father. He also reflects upon his own personal and professional experiences. Their two perspectives give readers a fuller understanding of Alzheimer's than any one voice could. Find out more about the authors on their website and order the book with the links below: https://www.weinsteinandmiller.com/ Amazon - https://amzn.to/3icHpj0 Book Store - https://bit.ly/3i9HZyk You can find out more about our guests, and access a full transcript of this podcast on our website at: www.dementiaresearcher.nihr.ac.uk/podcast _________________________ Finally, please review, like, and share our podcast - and don't forget to subscribe to ensure you never miss an episode. Register on our website to receive your weekly bulletin, and to access more great content – blogs, science, career support + much more www.dementiaresearcher.nihr.ac.uk This podcast is brought to you in association with Alzheimer's Research UK and Alzheimer's Society, who we thank for their ongoing support.
Dr. Winston Chiong is an Associate Professor in the University of San Francisco Department of Neurology Memory and Aging Center and is principal investigator of the UCSF Decision Lab. His clinical practice focuses on Alzheimer's disease, frontotemporal dementia, and other cognitive disorders of aging. On June 7 the Food and Drug Administration granted conditional approval to the first new Alzheimer's drug in 18 years. That approval is broad, making no distinction among the mild, moderate, and advanced stages of the memory-robbing disease and setting no requirements for its diagnosis. Three members of the advisory panel who opposed the drug resigned over the agency's decision. “I read about this particular drug and how the approval has been handled. And it's hard for me to trust the FDA going forward. It's frightening that this is being treated with less care than I think it should be,“ Bobbi says. “I've already fielded a number of questions from family caregivers who I work with asking, ‘Is this drug right for my family member?' And in every case so far, I said I don't recommend the use of this drug. I actually can't think of a patient of mine who I would recommend taking this drug,” Dr. Chiong says. The drug will be administered through infusions every four weeks, resulting in a yearly cost of about $56,000 and preliminary estimates suggest patients' copayments for the drug could cost around $11,500 annually. “This is not what we need to address dementia and Alzheimer's disease in this country or anywhere,” Dr. Chiong explains. “I think those of us in the scientific community believe that to fight a disease as complicated as Alzheimer's disease we're going to need to do the best science we can possibly do. It's going to take a lot, and it's going to take real clear thinking. Being guided by not just hope but actual evidence and data.” Don't forget to subscribe, download, and review to share your thoughts about the show! To find out more about Bobbi and Mike or the inspiration behind this podcast, Rodger That, head over to rodgerthat.show.
Brain Talk | Being Patient for Alzheimer's & dementia patients & caregivers
Dr. Michael Geschwind, professor of neurology at the University of California San Francisco Memory and Aging Center, speaks about the symptoms, diagnoses and treatments of rapidly progressive dementias.
Why do some shun science and cling to conspiracy? Bruce Miller, MD, recently wrote in JAMA about the dangerous consequences of antiscience rhetoric and the neurological mechanisms that can actually encourage acceptance of false beliefs. Miller is a world-renowned expert on the diagnosis and management of dementia. As a behavioral neurologist, he is the principal investigator of the NIH-sponsored Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center and the co-director of the Global Brain Health Institute. In this interview he makes the connection between the brain and science denial. He also talks about what clinicians can do to help their patients embrace science. About the Expert Bruce Miller, MD, holds the A.W. and Mary Margaret Clausen Distinguished Professorship in Neurology at UC San Francisco where he directs the Memory and Aging Center. He is a behavioral neurologist whose work in neurodegenerative conditions emphasizes brain-behavior relationships and the genetic and molecular underpinnings of disease. He is the principal investigator of the NIH-sponsored Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center and program project on frontotemporal dementia. Additionally, he helps lead the Tau Consortium, the Bluefield Project to Cure Frontotemporal Dementia and the Global Brain Health Institute. He was awarded the Potamkin Award from the American Academy of Neurology and elected to the National Academy of Medicine.
Women respond differently to medications and treatments than men do, but most medical research focuses just on men. Two scientists, Dr. Jane Salmon, a professor and associate dean at Weill Cornell College of Medicine, and Dr. Fanny Elahi, a neurologist at the UCSF Memory and Aging Center, are doing groundbreaking work that will result in better health for everyone. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://news.iheart.com/podcast-advertisers
Being Patient spoke with Kailin Casaletto, a neuropsychologist and assistant professor at UCSF Memory and Aging Center, about her study on the effects of regular physical and mental activity on brain health, particularly among those with a predisposition to develop frontotemporal dementia. Find more of our Being Patient: Brain Talks series at: https://bit.ly/300AD5S
Is depression a normal part of aging? What are the risk factors, treatments and hope for the future for older adults? Dr. Sheri Gibson, private psychotherapist and consultant, University of Colorado Colorado Springs instructor and faculty affiliate, holds a Clinical Psychology PhD with an emphasis in geropsychology from the University of Colorado Colorado Springs. Dr. Gibson shares her years of experience and insight to better understand how mental health becomes an issue for older adults and how to find and receive support that can make the 3rd Chapter of one's life a time to look forward to. Resources to tap into Drsherigibson.com, UCCS Aging Center, National Suicide Prevention Lifeline 1-800-273-8255. Aging with Altitude is recorded in the Pikes Peak region with a focus on topics of aging interest across the country. We talk about both the everyday and novel needs and approaches to age with altitude whether you're in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida or Leadville, Colorado. The Pikes Peak Area Agency on Aging is the producer. Learn more at Pikes Peak Area Agency on Aging. Transcript: Cynthia Margiotta: Hello and thank you for listening to Aging with Altitude, a podcast series sponsored by the Pikes Peak Area Agency on Aging that aims to highlight issues and resources that affect older adults in our community. My name is Cynthia Margiotta and I'm here with Dr. Sheri Gibson who received her PhD in clinical psychology with an emphasis in geropsychology from the University of Colorado, Colorado Springs. She's an instructor for the Psychology Department at UCCS and a faculty affiliate with the UCCS Gerontology Center. Dr Gibson serves on the editorial board for the Journal of Elder Abuse and Neglect, is chair of the Colorado Coalition for Elder Rights and Abuse Prevention, a member of the research committee for the National Adult Protective Services Association, and board member for the Colorado Culture Change Coalition. In addition to being an advocate for elder justice, Dr Gibson has a private psychotherapy and consultation practice which includes provision of capacity evaluations, expert testimony, consultation and training. Thank you so much for being here Doctor. Dr. Sheri Gibson: You're so welcome. Thanks for having me, Cynthia. Cynthia: Today's podcast theme is on mental health and aging. My first question, is depression a normal part of aging? Dr. Sheri Gibson: There is a wide belief that it is normal, but it's not correct. You know our society has believed for a long time that, as we age it is certainly inherent in our aging process is the theme of loss. That there are losses both at the individual level, where we lose friends in our personal circle as we age, and also losses in terms of our physical functioning, chronic health problems, maybe even loss to our home where we may need to downsize and possibly move to a different part of the country to be closer to our children or maybe move from our large home into a smaller place. I think society has often believed that as those losses occur it would be reasonable to make the jump that depression would also accompany those losses. But, what we do know is that a lot of people, as they age, have developed coping mechanisms throughout their lifetime. Many older adults, by the time they reach that part of their life, which is what I like to call the third chapter of life, that they have learned to tolerate losses throughout their life and they have they have developed effective coping strategies. So, what we do find is that depression is not a part of normal aging process. That's a myth that really needs to be debunked in our society so that we don't associate older people with depression. Cynthia: How common is depression in the senior population? Dr. Sheri Gibson: Well, it's really interesting, it's less common among older adults compared to younger persons. However, the age of onset of depression is really important. Research has shown that the first onset of most mental health disorders occurs in childhood or adolescence, and a much smaller percentage of disorders have an onset in later life. Among older adults with mental disorders, it's clinically relevant for us to discern when a disorder began. For example, an older adult who may have suffered from lifelong depression would likely have a lengthier and more complicated treatment than an adult who developed or experienced depression in later life. Cynthia: Regarding depression, what are the risk factors? Dr. Sheri Gibson: The risk factors are multifaceted and they are influenced by cohort, socioeconomic status, culture, and gender. At the individual level, for example a person's ability to initiate treatment or even to understand if they are experiencing depression, may be directly impacted by the mood disorder itself. It can also be further influenced by whether or not there's presence of cognitive impairment for example, or multiple chronic health disorders. Some of the risk factors that we look at are those multiple chronic health conditions such as vascular problems, diabetes mellitus, and then there are certain acute stressors of health. Stressors such as stroke, which has been associated with depression. So we want to look at that when we look at depression as practitioners. When I say practitioners, I also mean primary care physicians. We tend to take a biopsychosocial approach so that we look at one of the biological risk factors, so that would be those at health conditions that I discussed. We look at the psychological risk factors, one risk factor is if the person has had lifelong depression that does increase their risk for having a depressive episode later on. We also look at psycho-socially what's going on for the individual. Have they had any changes? For example, has there been a death of somebody they are grieving? Is their home situation distressed by family discord, for example? Or, are they isolated from people? I would add one more circle to that Venn diagram, if you will, and that would be spirituality. Understanding a person's spiritual relationship, whether or not they are part of a faith community or if they're not. How does spirituality and religion impact a person for them to make meaning of these certain stressors in their life? Cynthia: Many of our older population was so involved with their churches, this created an issue for them not be able to go anymore and to not be connected to that community. So you know that also brings up the question of what is the difference between a situational depression and regular depression? Dr. Sheri Gibson: That's a really good question, Cynthia! Depression, as a mental health disorder, is kind of broken down into two categories. We have depression that is kind of a general diagnosis and then we have Major Depressive Disorder. Since you asked the question about depression, what we want to know as clinicians is what might be causing the depression. Oftentimes it may be situational and what that means is the person may be dealing with a chronic stressor or an acute stressor in their life and if that stressor was remedied then their mood functioning would return back to normal. Situational depression is kind of used among lay people to describe the feeling of “hey I'm just going through something right now this is situational.” However, from a clinical standpoint, we use that term to really think about is there something that, if it were resolved for the person, that they would be functioning in a normal capacity? The important thing is to point out around situational kinds of stressors is that there's never a timeline for that situation to remedy. So the person may come in to say (I'm talking about caregivers), “I'm caring for a person who is chronically ill...” this may be wife, this may be a parent, and may even be an adult child, “... I know that if I could either get resources in or when the person does die or have to be moved into higher level of care then I will begin to feel better.” The problem is that we never have a timeline for that, and if we let depression as a disorder progress without being treated and hope that it will remedy once the situation remedies, we are often very remiss. It can lead to worse things for an older adult such as isolation or it could lead to thoughts of suicide, for example. It could lead to early mortality because depression has been related to early mortality. It can also lead to cognitive impairment if the person is older and is functioning. Without being treated for their depression, or not being diagnosed, that can have real deleterious effects on their overall wellbeing in their course of their life. Cynthia: Wow, so what kind what types of treatments are the most successful for older adults? Dr. Sheri Gibson: What the literature tells us, and what clinical research has shown, is that really the best treatment or the treatment with the most effective outcomes, is a combination of medication and mental health treatment like counseling, for example. Older adults need to talk to their primary care physicians, or if they're seeing a psychiatrist to talk, about their mood. They can be put on a fairly safe low-dose anti-depressant. There are some cautions with that depending on the person's health problems. If they have multiple chronic health problems that they're being treated for, it may be ill-advised that they take a medication. In that case, psychotherapy alone or counseling alone, can be very beneficial. There is another myth out there that older adults do not benefit from therapy and I just want to say that is completely untrue and that older adults benefit just as well, if not better compared to their younger counterparts. They are more willing to dive into some very important meaningful issues of their life. One thing that we know, as practitioners, is that sometimes treatment can last or take a little longer with older adults than with their younger counterparts. That's just because of our own aging process, we have slower processing speeds in our thinking. So, we may need to take a longer time to integrate the information that we're learning in therapy and then applying that. So sometimes the course may take a little bit longer with older adults. Psychotherapy with older adults is very successful and the highest outcomes are when you can combine a very low dose and short-term medication. Cynthia: This is using Erickson's nine tasks, saying that we're looking at our past and go into some of that to help ourselves heal? Dr. Sheri Gibson: That's right, so we're resolving going back kind of doing a life review, is what we call that. A life review is reflecting on what's been important to me and how can I make meaning of some of the things that were hurtful in my past? What do I want to do with this chapter of my life? I always ask, whether or not the person actually talks about it. The forefront of older adults is kind of resolving this stage of development, if you will. Going back to Erikson's stages of development, is that people are thinking of their own mortality and that time is limited. So thought of “how do I want to spend this time and what is meaningful to me? How do I want a good death?” for example. Even planning our deaths because time is limited and we're thinking about that more as we approach old age. Cynthia: And it's perfectly OK to be thinking about those things. Dr. Sheri Gibson: Absolutely, it's so healing to be thinking about that. Cynthia: It's a normal part of our lives. Dr. Sheri Gibson: Correct! Cynthia: Nobody gets out of this alive, that what I say. It a horrible joke, right? But it is true. Dr. Sheri Gibson: That is true! Cynthia: So, why might older adults avoid pursuing the treatment that would be helpful, especially when they're struggling emotionally so much? Dr. Sheri Gibson: I think that, again this is very multifaceted as I mentioned before, we see differences with older adults who are probably seventy-five and older. There may have been a little bit of stigma associated with mental health. Those who grew up with mental health problems of that cohort kept those things under wraps and they didn't talk about it. It may be an individualized kind of mantra that you just pull yourself up by your bootstraps and you don't talk about it. That it is nobody else's business and only your business and so you handle it on my own. Sometimes that problem gets so big that the person can't handle it on their own. We also know that certain personality types are less open to receiving help. Another barrier might be a socioeconomic status that's a huge barrier for access to mental health resources. If a person isn't able to drive and doesn't have a social circle of people who can take them to appointments. Or, if they are segregated in their community by virtue of their culture, their race, their socioeconomic status, they will have less information about services available to them and less access nearby. So, it really is multifaceted. I think that this community in Colorado Springs has done a really good job of doing our best to reach out to people and let them know. We have to shift the way we think about provision of mental health services and going to the people rather than waiting for them to come to us. We know that all of those things can be a barrier to them seeking help. Cynthia: So, like being isolated for whatever reason affects all of that. Dr. Sheri Gibson: Correct. When we think about isolation, I think about social isolation and geographical isolation. We're missing a big population of people in rural parts of our state, for example. Cynthia: Another issue, changing topics, if it were, I don't want to say too much because suicide is also related to depression. Another issue for older adults suicide, can you speak to that for a bit? Dr. Sheri Gibson: Yeah, you bet. Well, I think it's important to note that older adults complete about 20% of all suicides. They also have the highest rate of suicide completion, compared to any other age group which is a startling statistic. Older adults tend to use more lethal forms of on completing suicide. Some major risk factors occur in later life. One of the highest of demographics of persons who complete suicide are older white males. So, aside from being an older white male, other risk factors include depression hopelessness, substance abuse, a previous suicide attempt, and widowhood, a major late life transition like physical illness, social isolation, family discord, financial strain and stressful life event. Institutionalizations, interestingly enough (I'm really referring to nursing homes), may also be a predictor of suicide although residents of nursing homes tend to use more subtle forms of self-termination to complete their suicide such as starvation. In those cases, they may not be officially labeled as suicide in nursing homes. Unfortunately, the majority of older adults who do complete suicide were experiencing their first episode of depression, meaning that it could be readily treated. Another more staggering and if not more alarming statistic is that 75% of those persons were actually seen in their physician's offices within a month prior to their suicide. This really puts on our radar on the importance of screening in primary care offices. Physicians and their nurses need to be much more diligent in asking about whether or not a person is feeling suicidal or wanting to end their life. Knowing that people have been seen by their physicians, I think really gives us an opportunity to do something different in our primary care offices. It's certainly an issue. I would also say that persons who are showing signs of suicide, that we have an opportunity as friends and family and neighbors to look for certain signs. Maybe some of the signs that we would look for is if the person stopped participating in activities that they used to enjoy. For example, are they isolating from their social or familiar circles, including their faith circles? Do they make off-handed comments about ending their life or wanting to die? It's not uncommon that some older adults will say things like “I'm just tired and I'm waiting to die” or “I'm waiting for God to take me” or “it's time I should be going” … and it shouldn't stop us from asking further. “Are you wanting to end your life prematurely,” that's the way I would ask that. However, it's also not always the case that their meaning to end their life, they're just tired and they're just waiting and that's also a normal response for some people towards the end of life. I can't stress it enough, just the simple question of asking a person “are you okay” and leaving the question open. Asking “are you okay” or making an observation like “it seems that you're feeling down or you're having the blues” or “is there anything that I can do” or “tell me about your managing these days”... Oftentimes, there's another myth that we dance around these questions with older adults and we don't want to be seem like intruders and ask those questions. But I will tell you, in my clinical practice over the years, whenever I've asked the question more than likely the person is so willing to share. Often people don't ask them those questions and they don't want to burden others and they don't want to bring it out. So, it is our I think responsibility as friends and as family members to ask that question. Cynthia: They're thinking about these things so why can't we talk to them? They may feel isolated by that conversation and think “my children don't want to hear about this” or “my friends don't want to hear about this.” But really, we need to get involved in where they're at. Dr. Sheri Gibson: That's right. Cynthia: It helps us to grow. Dr. Sheri Gibson: Absolutely, and it gives us an opportunity to hear where we might be helpful to that person if we know that there are barriers to them getting the help. We have an opportunity to maybe bridge those barriers or just destroy the barriers altogether, but we don't know that if we can't ask the question. Cynthia: Thank you. Dr. Sheri Gibson: You're welcome. Cynthia: According to the CDC, in 2013, the highest suicide rate was nearly the 20% among forty-five to sixty-four year-olds. The second highest rate, very closely related was 18.6% (his is a few years ago) occurred in people eighty-five years and older, why? Dr. Sheri Gibson: I think there's a couple things here. If we know that typically the highest risk factor is older men, and you think about how women tend to outlive men, also think about the gender roles of this cohort of seventy-five to eighty-five year-olds. There were gender roles in heterosexual relationships. That's what we know most about that cohort. Gender roles were that women were kind of a social outlet for the family and the men were the workers of the family. So, I think that we see this occurring when the woman of the couple has died first and so the man is left without a social network. Also, at the age of eighty, so many friends and close people have also deceased at that point. We also see a high percentage of older veterans who complete suicide because they're not afraid to use a firearm and most of them have firearms, so they use a more lethal means of ending their lives. So, I think it gets to cohort and that isolation piece. When we think about eighty-five year-olds living at home, they likely more isolated than people who are living in an assisted living facility or a community for older adults. Cynthia: Even an introvert needs community. Dr. Sheri Gibson: Absolutely, whatever that community means. You know, I think that this brings up another topic of engagement. Understanding that engagement is different across people. So, if we always think that we want our older adults “to be more engaged” and I use that in quotations because what does that mean? What was engagement like for that person throughout their life? I worked with a caregiver once whose eighty-five year-old father was moving to the area. He had been living on the East Coast and was moving here. She had this vision for his aging that was not aligned with his vision. She wanted him to move into a retirement community and she had these visions of him playing bingo and shuffleboard and going to movies. When he got here it was just not his vision; in fact, his vision was to purchase a motorhome and he wanted to travel the country at eighty-five. She just really couldn't see it happening so we worked together. First of all, were there any reasons that he was making a poor decision? For example, was there cognitive impairment? He was more than happy to do testing to ease his daughter's concerns and it turned out he was fine cognitively and he could make this trip. He could make the decision get a motor home. What really threw her over the edge of was that he was on match.com and he had arranged blind dates along his travels. So I think as adult children, when we step into the care of our parents and when they allow us to step in, we need to have an understanding of what is engagement for that person. Community is important but community can look like all different kinds of things. So really understanding that and not imposing our own values and preferences on the people that we love so they can live these final years in the way that they've always wanted to. Cynthia: My husband and I have talked about these things. He wants to go hang out in the library and I want to do more volunteerism. I want to be around community. We're all different. Dr. Sheri Gibson: We're all different. We have to recognize and respect those differences. Cynthia: So, can you tell me where can people go for help with suicide and depression in El Paso County as well as where can they go nationally? Dr. Sheri Gibson: Well, that's a great question and I'm glad that we're providing our audience with some tools. So, if you if you or somebody that you care about appears to be showing signs of depression, or if they are making some comments about life not being worth living anymore, you really need to find a mental health professional with whom that person can talk. There are several resources immediately in our area in Colorado Springs. The first I would recommend is the UCCS Aging Center, they are located on North Nevada in the Lane building. They're associated with the University and they are staffed with psychologists. They are a premier training clinic for future geropsychologists like myself. They offer mental health treatment under an array of mental health disorders. In addition to that, they offer free caregiving classes for caregivers and individual counseling for caregivers which is really important. We recognize at the Aging Center that people age in context and they age in a community and system, whether that be their community as a system or their family system. So, we believe in treating the whole family when we can. I say we because I actually see people there for them one day a week. We also provide a cognitive testing. We know that cognitive impairment can impact one's mood and vice-versa. So we want to make sure that we are being diligent and getting people all the information. We have a neuropsychological clinic where we do very in-depth neuro psych testing where we can actually give people diagnosis. We also have a lighter version of that, which we call the memory clinic, where we can do a smaller version of testing to track people across time. We believe that cognitive testing should be a part of any whole-body testing, just as you would get a mammogram or colonoscopy. You should also, after the age of sixty-five, have cognitive screening done. So they do that there as well. In addition to that, there are several psychotherapists in town who specialize in older adults, me being one of those people. You can access my services online, my website is doctorsherrigibson.com spelled “Dr SheriGibson.com” you can read about the services that I offer and I also have a contact page so you can send me an email. If I can't help that individual, I have a list of referrals in the community that I'm willing to share. The Aging Center is also really good resource. At the national level, particularly around suicide, I definitely want to give the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline that's available 24 hours a day to anybody. That number is 1-800-273-8255. I definitely want to provide that to our listeners. Then there was one question that you and I explored prior to this that I wanted to address. You and I were having a conversation before we went on the podcast and one question that you asked me is “what does the future hold for mental health issues for our seniors?” So, if you don't mind and if we have time, I can address this somehow. Cynthia: I missed that question, sure! Dr. Sheri Gibson: Mental health services for older adults will continue to evolve. The way that we see it, as practitioners, are really a function of three elements. The things that we think are coming down the pipeline is the changing characteristics of older adults in future cohorts. The developments in our basic understanding of processes that affect geriatric mental health and the alterations in our public policy that will affect the provision of mental health services to older adults. Today's older adults represent as a really unique intersection, if you will, between individual and historical time. Stigma has always been considered, or was historically considered to be a real barrier for mental health treatment. Tomorrow's older adults may arrive into later life with a different perspective and different patterns of mental health and disorders. Some have suggested that today's younger and middle-aged adults have higher rates of depression when compared to the current older adults at a comperable points in their lives. Thus, they're bringing higher rates of mental health problems into later life. Additionally, the older adults of the future may arrive in later life with increased experiences and expectations around mental health services and mental health treatment. I think we can't say enough about the emergence of technology in this regard. Technology can be a means of opening access to mental health care and that's a growing area of study and implementation. So getting back to my earlier comment around provision of services to rural parts of the state or rural parts of our country, using telehealth mechanisms can do that for people. There are inherent challenges in that and we recognize that as a field. At the same time we have to embrace technology now. We now know that this cohort of older adults, the baby boomers for example, are very tech savvy. So, they are more than willing to engage with technology as a way of helping themselves or getting help. I think that that is where the future is going to be. Putting on our legislative's minds about the importance of mental health and allowing that to continue to be covered through Medicare and Medicaid so that people are really getting the benefit of that. So that we're allowing people to live into their later lives in the best quality possible. Cynthia: Whatever that means for that individual. Dr. Sheri Gibson: That's correct, yes. I think we can't say enough about joy and fun and pleasure is really important as we age. Cynthia: Yes, in a different way than what I think young people do. Dr. Sheri Gibson: I would imagine for you and me sitting here, what I thought was enjoyable at 20 is certainly different as I approach 50. Cynthia: Wait until you're my age, gal! It's a whole different story. Dr. Sheri Gibson: Well, thank you so much, that's all we have time for today. Thank you doctor Gibson. I appreciate you're time and willingness to be with us today. Cynthia: It's been a pleasure.
Dr. Geroges Naasan explores the principal clinical syndromes of Alzheimer's Disease: memory, visual, language and frontal/executive. He also discusses neuropathology, genetic factors and modern biomarkers with colleagues from the UCSF Memory and Aging Center. Series: "Mini Medical School for the Public" [Health and Medicine] [Show ID: 34775]
Dr. Geroges Naasan explores the principal clinical syndromes of Alzheimer's Disease: memory, visual, language and frontal/executive. He also discusses neuropathology, genetic factors and modern biomarkers with colleagues from the UCSF Memory and Aging Center. Series: "Mini Medical School for the Public" [Health and Medicine] [Show ID: 34775]
Dr. Geroges Naasan explores the principal clinical syndromes of Alzheimer's Disease: memory, visual, language and frontal/executive. He also discusses neuropathology, genetic factors and modern biomarkers with colleagues from the UCSF Memory and Aging Center. Series: "Mini Medical School for the Public" [Health and Medicine] [Show ID: 34775]
Dr. Geroges Naasan explores the principal clinical syndromes of Alzheimer's Disease: memory, visual, language and frontal/executive. He also discusses neuropathology, genetic factors and modern biomarkers with colleagues from the UCSF Memory and Aging Center. Series: "Mini Medical School for the Public" [Health and Medicine] [Show ID: 34775]
Dr. Geroges Naasan explores the principal clinical syndromes of Alzheimer's Disease: memory, visual, language and frontal/executive. He also discusses neuropathology, genetic factors and modern biomarkers with colleagues from the UCSF Memory and Aging Center. Series: "Mini Medical School for the Public" [Health and Medicine] [Show ID: 34775]
Dr. Geroges Naasan explores the principal clinical syndromes of Alzheimer's Disease: memory, visual, language and frontal/executive. He also discusses neuropathology, genetic factors and modern biomarkers with colleagues from the UCSF Memory and Aging Center. Series: "Mini Medical School for the Public" [Health and Medicine] [Show ID: 34775]
Dr. Geroges Naasan explores the principal clinical syndromes of Alzheimer's Disease: memory, visual, language and frontal/executive. He also discusses neuropathology, genetic factors and modern biomarkers with colleagues from the UCSF Memory and Aging Center. Series: "Mini Medical School for the Public" [Health and Medicine] [Show ID: 34775]
Dr. Geroges Naasan explores the principal clinical syndromes of Alzheimer's Disease: memory, visual, language and frontal/executive. He also discusses neuropathology, genetic factors and modern biomarkers with colleagues from the UCSF Memory and Aging Center. Series: "Mini Medical School for the Public" [Health and Medicine] [Show ID: 34775]
Josh Kornbluth is an American comedic autobiographical monologist based in the San Francisco Bay Area who has toured internationally, written and starred in several feature films, and hosted a television interview show. Born in New York City, the son of Communist parents, Josh describes himself as a “Red Diaper Baby.” One of his monologues is so titled. In addition to his solo performance work, Josh, in the last few years, has worked as a volunteer at the Zen Hospice in San Francisco and as an Atlantic Fellow for Equity in Brain Heath at the Global Brain Health Institute, as well as Hellman Visiting Artist at UCSF’s Memory and Aging Center. In this episode, Josh discusses his work at the hospice dealing with death and dying as well as his interest and focus on aging, dementia and empathy. We can expect all of his work to show up in monologues that will be performed nationally. Links: Website: www.joshkornbluth.com Citizen Brain: "The Empathy Circuit": https://youtu.be/a_732-H1CUY "Citizen Brain: "Age Without Ageism": https://youtu.be/_7cIgjwZtPo Global Brain Health Institute: https://www.gbhi.org/
The Aging Center is the only mental health clinic in the Pikes Peak region exclusively devoted to serving older adults and their families. They treat memory problems, depression, anxiety and other challenges that make it harder than it should be to age well — and no one is ever declined treatment for financial reasons. https://indygive.com/nonprofit/uccs-aging-center/
Death, Dementia, and… Dessert? Sometimes humor can be found in the most painful and frustrating of circumstances, especially when caring for a loved one at the end of life. Storytellers Josh Kornbluth, Julia Weber, Elizabeth Sale, and Sara Faith Alterman will let us laugh through our tears, as they share deeply personal stories and experiences that all of us can identify with. The program will be followed by a moderated discussion to cast an unflinching eye at end of life experiences and together create an interactive space to help transform this otherwise difficult conversation into one of engagement, insight, and empowerment. And of course there will be dessert—never miss an opportunity to eat sweets when discussing bittersweet topics! Presented in conjunction with Roz Chast: Cartoon Memoirs. Co-presented by Reboot’s Death Over Dinner, Jewish Edition. Josh Kornbluth has been performing autobiographical monologues since 1989. Among his many solo shows is Andy Warhol: Good for the Jews?, which began as a commission from The Contemporary Jewish Museum. More recently, Sea of Reeds explored the mysteries of interpreting the Torah and making oboe reeds. His latest movie, Love & Taxes, is available online. His upcoming monologue, The Bottomless Bowl, is based on his experiences as artist-in-residence (and, later, a volunteer) at the Zen Hospice Project. Currently, Josh is a fellow at the Global Brain Health Institute, based at UCSF's Memory and Aging Center. Find him at joshkornbluth.com.
Nurse Rona will be joined by Josh Kornbluth, who is currently engaged in a year-long residency as a scholar at the Global Brain Health Institute. He is spending time with people who have dementia, their caregivers, researchers, nurses, and social workers. They will be joined by Dr. Jennifer Yokoyama, an Assistant Professor at the UCSF Memory and Aging Center. The post The Brain, Memory, and Dementia appeared first on KPFA.
Aging Center lecture presented on June 13, 2017 by John A. Batsis, MD
Aging Center lecture presented on June 13, 2017 by John A. Batsis, MD
Show #166 | Guests: Josh Kornbluth, writer, comedian, activist, and Dr. Bruce Miller, A.W. and Mary Margaret Clausen Distinguished Professorship in Neurology at the University of California, San Francisco | Show Summary: Dementia statistics are daunting. One in three seniors dies with Alzheimers or other dementia; every 66 seconds someone in the US develops the disease. Monologist Josh Kornbluth has immersed himself in this realm, and incorporates his experience in “Josh’s Brain Improvs”, a coproduction with The Marsh theater in San Francisco. Kornbluth bases his series of improvisations on his experiences working at the Memory and Aging Center at UCSF and Trinity College in Dublin, Ireland, and his work as an artist-in-residence and volunteer at the Zen Hospice Project in San Francisco. Josh Kornbluth has performed autobiographical one-man shows since 1987 — The San Francisco Chronicle declared, Kornbluth takes a world we ignore, or barely observe, and brings it into brilliant comic relief. Dr. Bruce Miller holds the A.W. and Mary Margaret Clausen Distinguished Professorship in Neurology at the University of California, San Francisco (UCSF). He directs the busy UCSF dementia center where patients in the San Francisco Bay Area and beyond receive comprehensive clinical evaluations. His goal is the delivery of model care to all of the patients who enter the clinical and research programs at the UCSF Memory and Aging Center (MAC). Dr. Miller is a behavioral neurologist focused on dementia with special interests in brain and behavior relationships as well as the genetic and molecular underpinnings of disease. His work in frontotemporal dementia (FTD) emphasizes both the behavioral and emotional deficits that characterize these patients, while simultaneously noting the visual creativity that can emerge in the setting of FTD. He is the principal investigator of the NIH-sponsored Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center (ADRC) and program project on FTD called Frontotemporal Dementia: Genes, Imaging and Emotions. He oversees a healthy aging program, which includes an artist in residence program. In addition, he helps lead two philanthropy-funded research consortia, the Tau Consortium and Consortium for Frontotemporal Research, focused on developing treatments for tau and progranulin disorders, respectively. Also, he is the Co-Director of the Global Brain Health Institute. Dr. Miller teaches extensively, runs the Behavioral Neurology Fellowship at UCSF, and oversees visits of more than 50 foreign scholars every year.
Show #153 | Guest: Adam Gazzaley is founder and director of the Neuroscience Imaging Center at UCSF’s Memory and Aging Center. He is a professor in neurology, physiology and psychiatry at the UC San Francisco and director of the Gazzaley Lab, a cognitive neuroscience laboratory. His laboratory studies neural mechanisms of perception, attention and memory, with an emphasis on the impact of distraction and multitasking on these abilities. His unique research approach utilizes a powerful combination of human neurophysiological tools, including functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI), electroencephalography (EEG) and transcranial magnetic and electrical stimulation (TMS and TES). A major accomplishment of his research has been to expand our understanding of alterations in the aging brain that lead to cognitive decline. | Show Summary: We are obsessed with our devices. We pride ourselves on our ability to multitask — read work email, reply to a text, check Facebook, watch a video clip. Never mind the errors in the email, the near-miss on the road, and the unheard conversation at the table. In The Distracted Mind, Adam Gazzaley and Larry Rosen — a neuroscientist and a psychologist — explain why our brains aren’t built for multitasking, and suggest better ways to live in a high-tech world without giving up our modern technology.
ANCDS Podcast Ep. 4 - Treatment of Aphasia in Persons with Primary Progressive Aphasia Maya is a speech-language pathologist by training. She did her master’s and doctoral work at the University of Arizona, in the lab of Dr. Pelagie Beeson. Subsequently, she completed postdoctoral training in the lab of Dr. Maria Luisa Gorno-Tempini at the UCSF Memory and Aging Center. She is currently an Assistant Professor in the Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders at the University of Texas, Austin, where she is the director of the Aphasia Research and Treatment Lab. She teaches courses on aphasia and related neurogenic communication disorders as well as the cognitive and neural bases of speech and language. Her research interests lie in the nature and treatment of aphasia and related neurogenic communication disorders, with a special focus on primary progressive aphasia. Aphasia Research and Treatment Lab https://moody.utexas.edu/aphasialab The Association for Frontotemporal Degeneration http://www.theaftd.org
Dr. Ruth Finkelstein of the Robert N. Butler Columbia Aging Center and Mailman School of Public Health discusses the impact of our aging population on "everything" in our society, noting that there is a whole generation of people who are really old.
In February of 2015 the Osher Marin JCC presented a solo exhibition of works by San Francisco watercolor artist and philanthropist, Chris Hellman. At the opening reception her daughter, Dr. Tricia Gibbs, spoke about her mother's paintings and the challenges of Alzheimer's after which Dr. Bruce Miller MD, Neurologist and Clinical Director of the UCSF Memory and Aging Center, presented on the relationships between art and the brain.
Dr. Bruce L. Miller, director of the Memory and Aging Center at the University of California, San Francisco, has led groundbreaking work with the NFL to help with the education and assessment of players suffering from symptoms of concussion – an issue that has recently gained critical attention from football fans across the country. Throughout his 30-year career, Dr. Miller’s extensive research on brain health and frontotemporal dementia has been featured in The New York Times, Fortune magazine and “PBS NewsHour” – now we’re thrilled to have him share some of his findings with us. Please listen to our conversation with Dr. Miller and learn about his research on concussions as well as brain health issues impacting millions of Americans. Support the show (https://www.usagainstalzheimers.org/ways-donate)
MONDAY, August 27, 2012 - 3:30 pm PDT/6:30 pm EDT Our amazing incredible guest today is the estemed Andrea Zanko, MS, LGC - Genetic Counselor from UCSF (University of California, San Francisco). For over 30 years, she has been working with children and adults suspected or known to be affected by or at risk for genetic disorders. She teaches at the medical school and helps train students and residents in medical genetics. Andrea created the UCSF Huntington Disease Genetic Counseling Clinic in 1990 and continues to counsel individuals and families regarding Huntington Disease (HD). The HD clinic also participates in research in association with the multi-disciplinary team at the USCF Memory and Aging Center. Andrea also facilitates a monthly HD support group and writes a column for the Northern California Chapter Nucleus newsletter. Andrea has two children, a white lab and a nearly 20 year old cat. Her daughter is a physician in residency in southern California and her son is an artist still attending school. For relaxation, Andrea enjoys her family and friends, plays piano and guitar, reads horror novels and listens to the Grateful Dead; for mental and physical stability, she exercises and does yoga.
Monday, April 30, 2012 at 3:30 pm PST/6:30 pm EST Dr. Michael Geschwind is Associate Professor of Neurology and the Michael J. Homer Chair in Neurology. He received his MD and PhD in neuroscience through the National Institutes of Health-sponsored Medical Scientist Training Program at the Albert Einstein College of Medicine in New York. He completed his internship in internal medicine at the University of California, Los Angeles Medical Center, his neurology residency at the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine in Baltimore and his fellowship in behavioral neurology at the UCSF Memory and Aging Center (MAC). He joined the Memory and Aging Center faculty in 2003 and is now an associate professor and holds the Michael J. Homer Chair in Neurology. Dr. Geschwind's primary research interest is the assessment and treatment of rapidly progressive dementias, including prion diseases, such as Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (CJD), autoimmune antibody-mediated dementias and encephalopathies. He also has an active interest in movement disorders and cognition, including Progressive supranucelar palsy (PSP), corticobasal syndrome (CBS), and Huntington's disease (HD). He is an active member of the Huntington's Study Group. Tune in for some interesting information. Visit his website: www.memory.ucsf.edu
Host: Anthony Alessi, MD Guest: Bruce Miller, MD Alzheimer’s disease is the sixth leading cause of death in the United States. What new advancements and treatments are available to help our patients through both the diagnosis, and prevent the onset? Dr. Bruce Miller, the A.W. and Mary Margaret Clausen Distinguished Professor of Neurology and Psychiatry and director of the Memory and Aging Center at the University of California, San Francisco, joins Dr. Anthony Alessi to discuss the state of Alzheimer's disease today, including how to help our patients who are just presenting with complaints of forgetfulness and fear of Alzheimer’s. Produced in cooperation with:
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