Wisconsin Alzheimer's Disease Research Center

02/10/2026

What if your heartbeat could help determine your dementia risk? ❤️ New research suggests it could. Dr. Newman Sze and Shakiru Alaka join to discuss how adding resting heart rate improved the accuracy of the CAIDE score across most racial groups and what this could mean for earlier, more equitable identification of dementia risk. Listen 🎧 go.wisc.edu/x75jx6

02/06/2026

🛒🤔 One month from today, on March 6, Dr. Beth Olson joins us to share expert insights on how packaged and ultra‑processed foods influence health outcomes, and how food choices can support brain health and overall well‑being. This interactive program is free and open to everyone. Join on Zoom or at a nearby host site! 🔗 Save your spot today, visit adrc.wisc.edu/unpacking-ultra-processed-foods.

Join us for the first installment of the 2026 Healthy Living with MCI education series to learn what ultra-processed foods are and explore why people who eat less of these packaged foods tend to have better health outcomes. Participants will gain confidence in making food choices that support their....

01/27/2026

Oftentimes Alzheimer’s disease isn’t the only health condition a person faces, so could treating these other concerns help slow cognitive decline? Dr. Barb Bendlin joins to discuss a recent study on how treating four common health conditions could slow Alzheimer’s progression. Listen 🎧 go.wisc.edu/8bu2wf

01/26/2026

What began as a resource for Wisconsinites is now reaching participants across the country and around the world. Visit the webpage to learn more and register to join us for the first installment of the 2026 Healthy Living with Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI) educational series on March 6.

The Healthy Living with Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI) educational program is drawing strong participation and positive feedback, connecting people across Wisconsin and beyond with science-backed education on brain health, Alzheimer’s disease prevention strategies and practical tools and resource...

01/22/2026

📢 Hot off the press! 🗞️ The first issue of ‘Headlines’ for 2026 is here! 👉 Read it now: go.wisc.edu/927534

Curious to learn what ultra-processed foods are, and why people who eat less of these packaged foods tend to have better health outcomes? Or what episodes of ‘Dementia Matters’ resonated most with our listeners last year? Maybe you’d like to get involved in a research study?

From helpful resources and upcoming events to open studies and more, this issue is packed with ways to stay connected and informed.

01/15/2026

🧠🚶‍♀️ We’ve all heard the “10,000 steps a day” rule, but does it actually matter for brain health? A new study explored how physical activity, specifically step count, impacted cognitive decline in people living with Alzheimer’s disease. Dr. Bri Breidenbach and Sarah Lose from the Okonkwo Lab at the University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health join the podcast to break down the study’s findings and discuss current research on physical activity and its impact on brain health and Alzheimer’s progression. 🎧 Listen at go.wisc.edu/qvz2v4.

01/08/2026

🎧 🎶 Older people who listen to music or play an instrument are linked to a significant reduction in dementia risk.

Older people who listen to music often may slash their risk of dementia by more than a third, according to a new study.

01/07/2026

A lack of regular interaction with others has been associated with higher rates of depression, a weakened immune system, heart disease and dementia. Recognize the risk factors for loneliness and social isolation to help reduce your risk — or a loved one’s — and learn more about the importance of social connection.

Vivek H. Murthy, MD, MBA, surgeon general of the United States, released a report earlier this month that highlights loneliness as an urgent public health concern and calls attention to the importance of social connection.

01/06/2026

Research has shown that chronic stress can have long-term effects on the brain, underscoring the importance of managing stress for overall brain health. Visit adrc.wisc.edu/stress-management to review nine tips to help you reduce stress and support your brain health.

01/05/2026

Regular exercise helps your whole body, including your brain. It directly benefits the brain by increasing blood flow and nutrient delivery. It also stimulates the brain, which leads to more brain cell and synapse growth. Learn more at adrc.wisc.edu/prevention.

Alzheimer’s disease affects people across economic, educational, social, racial, and gender lines. Age is the greatest risk factor for Alzheimer’s disease, but who and when it strikes is unpredictable. Currently, there is no cure for Alzheimer’s disease, placing a lot of importance on preventi...

01/04/2026

Learn how sleep helps the brain, what the brain does while we sleep, tips for improving one’s sleep hygiene and much more on episode #194 of the Dementia Matters podcast.

If you get the recommended eight hours of sleep per night, you spend a third of your life asleep. Why dedicate so much time to sleeping, and how can one get ...

01/03/2026

Research suggests that the MIND and Mediterranean diets — both rich in vegetables, fruits, whole grains, olive oil, beans and fish — are associated with fewer signs of Alzheimer’s disease in the brains of older adults.

To mark National Mediterranean Diet Month, Dr. Nathaniel Chin discusses a recent National Institute on Aging-funded study that suggests the MIND and Mediterr...