Evolving Past Alzheimer's

What if what we thought to be the primary cause ofAlzheimer'swas not true? Dr. NateBergman delves into a research article published by Dr. Weaver to assess if the primary cause of Alzheimer's can be limited to only the amyloid area. For years it has been believed that the main causes of Alzheimer’s disease are the abnormal build-up of proteins in and around the brain cells. The main toxic protein involved in this is called the amyloid beta which accumulates and builds up like plaque around the brain cells. However, in recent times, the hypothesis that originated in 2006 and was believed by many was brought into question leading to research being done on the alternative hypotheses and waiting on funding to expand the area of study accessible. The role of amyloid beta has been kept in focus when planning and prescribing Alzheimer's disease treatment to patients suffering from it. However, it is essential to understand that one person's Alzheimer's is not the same as another’s. Thus, one treatment cannot be the

In This Episode You Will Learn: Where are you in your career right now?  Neuroscience research is fascinating. Dr. Ted is most interested in attention, perception, and memory. These three things work together harmoniously because you can’t remember something you ignore, and it’s difficult to notice something if you don’t perceive it in the beginning.  Dr. Ted studied how the brain encodes beats. He uses music perception to enable people to pay attention, listen, and remember information. He worked with Adam Gaza and researched aging's attention, memory, and perception. Their research indicated that some memory issues stem from attentional issues, inhibiting irrelevant information. How does this process change as we grow?  It’s not a problem with memory capacity; it’s more on the intentional filtering issue. When you add distraction (in a lab setting), adults will show deficient memory performance compared to young adults when you test them on the content they were told to remember. But if you test them on the

6 Effective Ways of Heart Disease Prevention Anyone who wishes to optimize health by protecting the heart and brain must listen to this! Dr. Marwan Sabbagh and Joe Piscatella combine the six most effective principles for heart disease prevention. They unfold valuable heart and brain facts in their new book Strong Heart, Sharp Mind, which are equally beneficial for the prevention of Alzheimer's disease. In a way, they open hope for effective heart disease treatments, dealing with Alzheimer's, and other brain ailments with a multidisciplinary approach. What is good for your heart is good for your brain and ultimately contributes to your overall healthy lifestyle. This episode guides listeners to optimal well-being using a 6-Step Brain-Body Balance Program. In this discussion, he adds that the mechanism that underpins heart disease symptoms considerably overlaps with the symptoms of Alzheimer's. Therefore, aggressively managing the cures for one has two or more benefits. How Is Heart Disease The # 1 Cause Of Dea

A familiar guest rejoins us for the show! Marwan Sabbagh MD is currently a professor of Neurology at Barrow Neurological Institute and a leader in Alzheimer's disease diagnosis and treatment. Dr. Sabbagh and his bestselling co-author and heart disease survivor, Joe Piscatella reveals new hope for treating and preventing these heart, blood vessel, and brain diseases like Alzheimer's with their new book, Strong Heart, Sharp Mind. We discuss how, for the first time in his career, Dr Sabbagh is starting to see people with very early Alzheimer's hold the symptoms at bay. He attributes, in part, to the development of new medications for Alzheimer's (listen to podcast episode #64) as well as the adoption of principles of a healthy lifestyle and specific new blood tests such as homocysteine to assess the risk of heart and brain diseases. The new book outlines 6 Key Principles to improve your brain, blood vessel, and heart health   1) Incorporating exercise into daily activities Check out the broomstick kayaking idea

The conversation had on this episode is a little complex but is an excellent review in how science is done and "how the sausage is made" in terms of medical evidence in peer review for Alzheimer's treatments.   We discuss the results of the AMBAR trial - The Alzheimer Management by Albumin Replacement - where people with mild to moderate Alzheimer's showed significant improvements after having their blood plasma exchanged in addition to receiving either IV Albumin as well as IVIg (in some of the experimental groups).   The study doesn't offer an explanation of the mechanisms around why Albumin and IVIg might have been effective, but a robust conversation about the research and the durability of the positive results ensues.   Our guest is an international leader in Alzheimer's, Mercé Boada Rovira MD, PhD founder and director of the ACE Alzheimer's Center in Barcelona, Spain. Dr Boada has led and published results of over 100 Alzheimer's prevention and treatment trials over the many decades of her career.   Th

In July 2021, the journal Frontiers in Neurology reported on "groundbreaking research" out of Tulane pointing to the relationship between Lyme disease and Alzheimer’s dementia.  But since the 1980s our guest on this episode, Dr. Alan MacDonald, was stirring up the scientific debate by publishing and presenting data from his pathology laboratory that the bacteria - Borrelia Burgdorferi  often synonymous with what's called Lyme disease, because of its association with its US origins in the town of Lyme, Connecticut. Dr. MacDonald graduated with an MD from Columbia University.  He has completed 35 years of research in Borrelia and Lyme disease and has published numerous peer-reviewed articles on the pathology of Lyme and its role in Alzheimer's, dementia, and other diseases. This show is dedicated to my mother, Susan Bergman MD, the #1 fan and supporter of the show - who was the first and coolest pathologist I’ve ever known. For more information on how you can prevent or push back against Alzheimer's and other d

This is a more theoretical episode that gives us some idea about what might be happening with the rhythms of an Alzheimer's or POST-COVID brain.  Our guest, Dr Thom Cleland, is a professor of theoretical and systems neuroscience at Cornell University.  His research is particularly focused on the mammalian olfactory system and on the emergent dynamical networks that govern communication and information transfer among brain areas.   We talk about brain circuits, neuronetworks and how this relates to our sense of smell and Alzheimer's in general. For more information on how you can prevent or push back against Alzheimer's and other dementias visit Kemperwellness.com or call (216) 337-1400.  We have support programs, virtual classes, and many other options. Consider supporting the Evolving Past Alzheimer's podcast at patreon.com/evolvingpast so we can continue to bring you the information most helpful to you.   1:42 - What we can learn from looking at brain waves  8:58 - The olfactory system and how it works  13:

In this episode, we go deep into the potential benefits of specialized meditation for our immune systems, brain-related proteins, Alzheimer's, cellular energy, and much more. Our guest, Dr Hemal Patel - is a full professor and serves as the Vice-Chair for Research in the Department of Anesthesiology at the University of California, San Diego. If you are skeptical about meditation I urge you to check out this episode so that you Click here is a link to Dr. Patel's talk at a recent Joe Dispenza conference. For more information on how you can prevent or push back against Alzheimer's and other dementias visit Kemperwellness.com or call (216) 337-1400.  We have support programs, virtual classes, and many other options. Consider supporting the Evolving Past Alzheimer's podcast at patreon.com/evolvingpast so we can continue to bring you the information most helpful to you.   12:47 - how cell membranes can cause or prevent Alzheimer's  15:52 - using meditation and other methods to strengthen cell membranes  28:31 - h

Earlier this year, podcast episode #65 - we spoke to Lisa and her daughters Stacy and Natalie. They told us about how they were Living Well with Alzheimer's and improving using lifestyle and personalized approach. Her cognitive decline had stabilized and seen small, but significant improvements in brain function.  This episode we review some of the elements  that have led to their success: 1) Hiring a personal assistant for Lisa as opposed to a caregiver to force her to do things 2) Inspecting & moving out of a water damaged "moldy" home and why they did this 3) How they continue to iterate and push back against her Alzheimer's process, some tools and tricks that are working for them every day.   For more information on how you can prevent or push back against Alzheimer's and other dementias visit Kemperwellness.com or call (216) 337-1400.  We have support programs, virtual classes, and many other options. Consider supporting the Evolving Past Alzheimer's podcast at patreon.com/evolvingpast so we can cont

“We’re actually able to change the brain, even in the face of things like Alzheimer’s disease.” This was the statement made by our guest for this show, Dr. Ben Hampstead. Dr. Hampstead is a professor at the Univ of Michigan and leads a lab that is doing several studies using transcranial direct current stimulation for mild cognitive impairment, Alzheimer's, and other forms of cognitive impairment.  We talk about his work and compare it to some of our own results with our patients.  Exciting and thought-provoking! To learn more about the exciting work being done by Dr Hampstead https://medicine.umich.edu/dept/psychiatry/benjamin-hampstead-phd-abppcn To learn more about what we do in our clinical practice at Kemper Cognitive Wellness visit kemperwellness.com  We are located in Cleveland, Ohio.  Or call us at (216) 337-1400.   1:55 - How we are able to change the brain even in the face of Alzheimer's disease  9:00 - Technologies that can be used to treat cognitive decline  31:24 - Measuring the results of the n

Halloween is here and the other holidays are just around the corner, so we need to discuss sugar. I share about a conversation I had with Dr. Dale Bredesen about the importance of eating right when trying to prevent cognitive impairment. It has been a long time where food and wellness was not included in the treatment plan for patients with Alzheimer’s and Dementia, but it’s such a crucial part of preventing and slowing the progression of cognitive decline.  Nikki Gould, a registered dietician at Kemper Cognitive Wellness is also joining us today to talk about what sugar can do to your brain and your overall health and how we can navigate the holidays with this information in mind. 6:39 - Is there a healthy amount of sugar?  11:05 - How sugar is hidden in the American diet  15:38 - Taking the first steps towards sustainable change  20:30 - Keeping sugar intake at a reasonable level during the holidays  25:04 - Supporting family members during the holidays if they are struggling with their health

Untreated and unresolved trauma is now considered to be a risk factor and contributor to Alzheimer's dementia.    Trauma can be defined as any event that alters how we process, react to, and recall memories, by overwhelming the individual’s central nervous system. Additionally, trauma is defined as any event in which a person feels helpless and unsafe. It is not only an occurrence that happened in the past; instead, trauma is an event that leaves an imprint upon the body and the brain which persists to the present day.   Our guest for this episode, Dr. Ilene Naomi Rusk completed her PhD in Neuropsychology and Psychopharmacology in the UK , and Fellowships in Neuropsychology.  She has dedicated her career to studying novel treatment strategies for Alzheimer’s Disease and sees trauma as a root cause of many illnesses. She is the author of several peer reviewed articles. Dr Rusk co-founded the Brain and Behavior Clinic over 25 years ago and currently directs the Healthy Brain Program in Colorado.   4:20 - Defini

Dr. Nate Bergman quickly summarizes the story up the FDA's recent "accelerated approval" of Biogen's - Aducanumab (brand named, Aduhelm). He ends off with surprise about why he is excited about the approval...and it's probably not what you think! A quick, but useful listen.   In this episode we talk about… The terms of the approval of the drug What Aducanumab was able to accomplish in Alzheimer's patients The circumstances that led to Aducanumab being approved Some of the problems that arise with Aducanumab Why I am excited about Aducanumab

In this episode, we talk with Lisa, a woman in her early 70s living with Alzheimer's.  Lisa is a patient of Dr. Bergman at Kemper Cognitive Wellness.  Lisa is joined in this conversation by her daughters, Stacy and Natalie.   We discuss the successes and challenges they have had as a family living with Alzheimer's disease.  Lisa shares her thoughts about being diagnosed as well as the hope and results they have had since starting on a journey of living well with Alzheimer's. This episode is an important listen for anyone with doubts, reservations, or skepticism around a precision, functional medicine approach to the treatment of Alzheimer's disease. Note: names/identities were changed to preserve anonymity.   1:50 - what it was like to get diagnosed with Alzheimer’s and how the family responded  12:13 - living with Alzheimer’s during the events of 2020  14:33 - beginning treatment at Kempler Cognitive Wellness  19:05 - how patients can navigate the healthcare system to find the best treatment plan for their d

In this episode, we hear the argument in favor of the new Alzheimer's drug, Aducanumab (Aduhelm).  Dr. Marwan Sabbagh is a clinical and research leader at the Cleveland Clinic's Lou Ruvo Center for Brain Health. He was a doctor that saw patients in one of the trials that led to the FDA's Accelerated (provisional) Approval.  Note: Dr. Sabbagh notes his disclosure as an advisor to Biogen, the maker of Aducanumab. We discuss what Dr. Sabbagh noted in his own patients involved in the recent Phase 3 clinical trial of Aducanumab. Controversy over the FDA's decision and why Dr. Sabbagh's 25+ years of diagnosing and treating Alzheimer's makes him optimistic about this drug. Dr. Sabbagh talks through who he thinks might be a good candidate for Aducanumab, the drug's known practical side effects, and how people might get access to the medication in the near future. Ultimately, Dr. Sabbagh sees people in the near future living with Alzheimer's like a chronic disease much like HIV or diabetes, or even cancer. This episod

This week we will do almost a Part 2 from the last episode with Drs Dale Bredesen and Kat Toups.  In that episode, we featured recently released results data on MedArchive from a clinical trial in which 84% of 25 patients with early Alzheimer's Disease and Mild Cognitive Impairment improved with a Precision Medicine approach.   With that in mind, we want to get another perspective from the other 2 physicians who led this ground-breaking clinical trial. This week we are joined by Doctors Ann Hathaway and Deborah Gordon. We dive deeper into the details of testing, treatment, and people involved in this trial. The study results (not yet available in a peer-reviewed journal) were released here https://www.medrxiv.org/content/10.1101/2021.05.10.21256982v1.full.pdf Precision Medicine Approach to Alzheimer’s Disease: Successful Proof-of-Concept Trial   5:07 - how the care for the patients in the study is different from the normal protocol  8:40 - getting the study group to work with the technology required for the

Our guests today are Drs Kat Toups & Dale Bredesen. Link to the study results just released online: https://www.medrxiv.org/content/10.1101/2021.05.10.21256982v1.full.pdf   Important to note, this has not yet been peer-reviewed yet. 25 participants in this group, underwent a 9-month trial. 21 people improved, 1 person no real changes and 3 people got worse to some degree.   2:32 - what is MedArchive and have these study results been peer-reviewed yet?  5:05 - the results of the study and what they learned about cognitive impairment  10:23 - how they determined the cutoff for the participants in the study  17:15 - lessons Dale brought into the study from his previous trial  23:53 - how they proved that environmental factors were leading to cognitive decline  31:03 - key attributes to people who are successful in improving during the study  35:07 - main factors that lead to exposure to toxicity  44:34 - the decision to study genetic factors of Alzheimer's and cognitive decline  50:26 - responding to critic

Deborah Kan is a former executive producer with the Wall Street Journal. In 2017 she founded the website BeingPatient.com, a comprehensive website dedicated to Alzheimer's news, stories, and support. This interview covers how Deborah sees the current world of Alzheimer's research and trends in brain health and wellness.   5:42 - Being Patient and how it serves people who are taking care of loved ones with Alzheimer’s  8:35 - Early signs of Alzheimer’s that are often overlooked  17:17 - How the dementia space is evolving with the rise in early diagnosis 20:25 - Why there are more women diagnosed with Alzheimer’s than men  26:09 - The importance of prevention over curing  31:04 - Functional medicine in Alzheimer’s treatment for the people who can’t wait for the science  37:10 - Education and prevention for Alzheimer’s that everyone needs 

This is a really unique and important episode. We are witnessing a sea change in dementia. More people are being diagnosed, earlier and younger. And people are figuring out how to actually fight back against the disease and taking ownership of their condition. My guest this week on the Evolving Past Alzheimer's podcast, Chrissy Thelker, was diagnosed with Vascular dementia at age 57 and nearly 5 years later is still living on her own, driving, and living a life of incredible purpose... her story inspires, but she also gives useful information for anyone out there working through the early stages of the disease. This is one you're crazy not to listen to....an amazing episode!   2:00 - What it was like to receive a dementia diagnosis 6:22 - Why a dementia specialist refused to take Chrissy on as a patient 9:44 - How Chrissy followed the Bredesen protocol to slow her dementia symptoms and almost completely prevent herself from getting worse 14:56 - What it’s like to live with dementia 19:22 - How to balance fig

Some listeners have requested more personal stories of people improving and how they are doing it.  In this episode, we want to introduce you to an amazing couple, Betsy and George Muller.  George suffered a major brain injury as a result of his heart stopping about 4 years ago.  Fortunately, he has successfully recovered from the brain injury and this is the story of how the Mullers did it! If you're interested in more details of the Muller's journey, check out Betsy's book -  The Comeback - An Energy Makeover Love Story (available on Amazon and Audible).   9:24 - What George and Betsy have learned about brain health and brain resilience from their experience  14:41 - How meditation can help anyone who is suffering from a cognitive issue or their caregiver  17:33 - Tapping into the power of routine to help someone recover cognitive function  18:44 - The connection between heart health and brain health  21:43 - How to deal with some of the challenges of navigating a loved one who needs a caregiver  26:59 - Ho