BrainStorm by UsAgainstAlzheimer's

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In this episode of BrainStorm by UsAgainstAlzheimer’s Dr. Jonathan Rosand, co-founder of the McCance Center for Brain Health at Harvard discusses his revolutionary approach to preventing brain diseases before they start with host Meryl Comer. Dr. Rosand explains how his work originated from his experience treating severe brain injuries, where he witnessed patients and their families...

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In this episode of BrainStorm by UsAgainstAlzheimer’s Dr. Carolyn Clevenger, Founder and Director of Emory's innovative Integrated Memory Care Clinic continues to explore the complex realities of Alzheimer's caregiving with host Meryl Comer. Dr. Clevenger shares her expertise on recognizing when families need additional support, managing behavioral symptoms without over-me...

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In this episode of BrainStorm by UsAgainstAlzheimer's, host Meryl Comer explores the critical issue of agitation in dementia care with Dr. Carolyn Clevenger, Founder and Director of Emory's Integrated Memory Care Clinic. Dr. Clevenger provides practical advice for caregivers, emphasizing that documentation of behaviors and triggers is crucial, and that caregivers must lear...

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What's the purpose of a long life if our brains can't enjoy it? Paul Irving, Senior Advisor at the Milken Institute on the Future of Longevity and Dean of Faculty at USC's Leonard Davis School of Gerontology, challenges conventional thinking about aging and longevity in a conversation with host, Meryl Comer. Together they address the critical distinction between longe...

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In this episode of BrainStorm, Paul Irving discusses the PBS documentary produced by Bradley Cooper called Caregiving with host Meryl Comer. Their conversation centers on the widespread impact of caregiving in America, where over 53 million people provide unpaid care for loved ones with conditions like Alzheimer's. Irving emphasizes that caregiving is a universal human experien...

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In this episode of BrainStorm, host Meryl Comer talks with Jay Reinstein, a former assistant city manager in North Carolina, about his 12 to15-month journey involving neuropsychological testing and brain scans before being diagnosed with early-onset Alzheimer's at age 57. Rather than retreat from public life, Jay transformed his diagnosis into a platform for advocacy, serving o...

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In this episode of BrainStorm Nancy Treaster, a certified caregiving advocate and co-host of The Caregiver's Journey podcast, shares her professional and personal experiences with host Meryl Comer. Their conversation focuses on agitation, one of the most challenging aspects of dementia care, affecting more than half of all Alzheimer’s patients in terms of quality of life while ...

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This episode of BrainStorm by UsAgainstAlzheimer's features Muffy Walker, a psychiatric nurse, and founder of the International Bipolar Foundation.  Her new novel Memory Weavers is based on her professional and personal experiences caring for family members with Alzheimer's disease and issues of mental illness that inspire her advocacy work. Her novel explores how one pers...

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in this episode of the "BrainStorm" by UsAgainstAlzheimer's, George Vradenburg, Co-founder and Chairman of UsAgainstAlzheimer's, and Russ Paulsen, the organization's Chief Operating Officer, discuss the impact of the Trump administration's policies on Alzheimer's research with host Meryl Comer. The conversation highlights the systematic dismantling...

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Journalist and author Greg O'Brien, diagnosed with early-onset Alzheimer's over a decade ago, shares with BrainStorm host Meryl his determination to be heard at the Washington D.C. rally at the Lincoln Memorial to protest proposed cuts to NIH biomedical research funding that would critically affect Alzheimer's disease research.  Greg also candidly shares what it takes...

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In this episode of BrainStorm, host Meryl Comer continues explore the challenges of false Alzheimer's diagnosis in her interview with Doreen Monks, a former neuroscience nurse practitioner. Upon re-examination, Monks' diagnosis was revised eight years later as mixed dementia, but the stigma of Alzheimer's has already taken its toll.

Part 2 highlights issues in the deme...

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What if your life and career were upended with a diagnosis of Alzheimer’s only to learn eight years later that the diagnosis was wrong?  In this BrainStorm episode, host Meryl Comer talks with Doreen Monks, a former neuroscience nurse practitioner, who was diagnosed with early-onset Alzheimer's at 63 years old. Doreen shares her emotional and professional experiences, the frust...

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Learning about an Alzheimer’s diagnosis in your family is never easy. When you are an iconic music legend like Tony Bennet with legions of adoring fans, it is front page news. Antonia and Johanna Bennett, daughters of the late Tony Bennett, candidly discuss their emotional reactions to learning about their father's diagnosis. They share their concern for their father and fears ...

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Alzheimer’s is not just an aging issue, but a lifelong brain health challenge that has major global, economic, and societal implications. George Vradenburg, Chairman and Founder of UsAgainstAlzheimer’s, who has incubated satellite organizations globally to address these issues, debriefs BrainStorm host Meryl Comer on the recent launch of “Brain House” at the Davos World Economic For...

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In this episode of BrainStorm host Meryl Comer continues her compelling interview with "Rockstar of Science" Dr. Rudy Tanzi, the pioneering Director of the Genetics and Aging Research Unit and Director of the McCance Center for Brain Health at Mass General Hospital. Dr. Tanzi unveils the secrets of brain health and Alzheimer's research. Exploring his innovative SHIELD...

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Join BrainStorm host Meryl Comer as she kicks off 2025 with "Rockstar of Science" Dr. Rudy Tanzi, the pioneering Director of Genetics and Aging Research and Director of the McCance Center for Brain Health at Mass General Hospital. Dr. Tanzi delves into the new FDA-approved drugs, early cognitive blood tests, and why treating Alzheimer's should mirror our approach to h...

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In part 2 of BrainStorm, host Meryl Comer and Dr. Rebecca Chopp, former Chancellor of the University of Denver and Dean of Yale Divinity School, delve into maintaining dignity while living with Alzheimer's and dealing with guilt when transitioning loved ones to memory care. Dr. Chopp shares how spirituality and religious practices can help those with dementia, including th...

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Spirituality can often be used to provide support to families and caregivers coping with Alzheimer’s disease or other dementias.  Dr. Rebecca Chopp, former Chancellor of the University of Denver and Dean of Yale Divinity School, diagnosed with early-onset Alzheimer’s in 2019,  talks about her spiritual journey with BrainStorm host Meryl Comer. Dr. Chopp shares her personal story of ...

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Music and the arts have a positive impact on brain health, mental well-being, and quality of life. Renée Fleming, World Renowned Soprano and Global Arts Health Advocate shares the latest science behind the healing power of music and the brain with BrainStorm host Meryl Comer. 

Fleming’s anthology, Music and Mind: Harnessing the Arts for Health and Wellness, is a collection of essays ...