Lewy Body Dementia is the second most progressive form of dementia after Alzheimer's and impacts an estimated one million individuals in the United States. Symptoms typically present at age 50 or older and are often confused with Alzheimer's disease. Like Alzheimer’s, there is no cure. In this episode of BrainStorm, host Meryl Comer talks with Mary Lou Falcone, author of “I Didn't See It Coming: Scenes of Love, Loss and Lewy Body Dementia.” Listen as they discuss her very personal journey with her husband Nicky Zann, an accomplished rock and roll musician who became a world-renowned cartoonist and painter, to get to an accurate diagnosis.

Produced by Susan Quirk and Amber Roniger

Support the show

In this episode of BrainStorm host Meryl Comer continues her care partner conversation with Leigh Callahan, a respected epidemiologist and researcher about her journey with her husband, Dr. John Winfield, a distinguished career as a researcher and rheumatologist until Alzheimer's changed everything. Listen as Dr. Callahan reflects on the challenges of managing his agitation and why she thinks the FDA needs to hear and consider the patient/caregiver perspective.

This episode is sponsored by Otsuka and Lundbeck.

Produced by Susan Quirk and Amber Roniger

Support the show

The care partner is the keeper of the secrets and their perspective is essential to break through the silence and stigma of Alzheimer’s disease. In this episode of BrainStorm host Meryl Comer talks with Leigh Callahan, a respected epidemiologist and researcher focused on rheumatic disease. Her husband, Dr. John Winfield, had a distinguished career as a researcher and rheumatologist until Alzheimer's changed everything. Dr. Callahan shares her experience as she navigated her husband’s journey, sharing that the first signs of disease - agitation, irritation, and frustration - are not typically identified as symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease. Listen as they discuss the challenges before and after a diagnosis. 

This episode is sponsored by Otsuka and Lundbeck.

Support the Show.

Chronic loneliness affects young and old and has been cited by the 21st US Surgeon General, Vice Admiral Vivek H. Murthy, MD as a major health crisis.  Research shows that loneliness can reduce life expectancy by 30% and increases the risk of dementia by 40%, Dr. Jeremy Nobel, a primary care physician and public health expert on the faculty at the Harvard Medical School, is Founder and President of the Foundation for Art and Healing. 

In this episode of BrainStorm, host Meryl Comer and Dr. Nobel discuss his new book “Project UnLonely: Healing Our Crisis of Disconnection."  Listen as they discuss the connection between loneliness and symptoms of Alzheimer’s. 

Sponsored by The Otsuka and Lundbeck

Support the Show.

There is nothing more powerful than the stories of people who are directly affected by Alzheimer’s. This week’s BrainStorm host, Jon Summers, Chief Communications Officer at UsAgainstAlzheimer’s, spoke with a few patients and caregivers who share their deeply personal experiences to help raise awareness of Alzheimer’s. They discuss the disproportionate impact of the disease on Black and Latino people, and the hope they have for the future.

UsAgainstAlzheimer’s lifts voices of Alzheimer’s patients and caregivers to raise awareness of the disease, educate, and eliminate stigma. The UsAgainstAlzheimer’s Story Project—Voices of Hope, Inspiration and Courage is made possible by an educational grant provided by Biogen. 

Produced by Susan Quirk and Amber Roniger

Support the Show.

What do technology, AI and the Arts have in common? In part 2 of an interview with Susan Magsamen, founder and director of the International Arts and Mind Lab Center for Applied Neuroaesthetics at Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Ms. Magsamen talks with BrainStorm host Meryl Comer about how technology and AI are best used to advance the evolving science of neuroaesthetics. Neuroaesthetics is an expanding field of research aimed at the intersection of psychological aesthetics, biological mechanisms, and human evolution. Ms. Magsamen is also co-author of the New York Times Bestseller, Your Brain on Art, How the Arts Transform Us. 

Produced by Susan Quirk and Amber Roniger.

Support the Show.

Art for Art's sake is about to become passe with the emerging science of neuroaesthetics, an expanding field of research aimed at the intersection of psychological aesthetics, biological mechanisms, and human evolution. Susan Magsamen, founder and director of the International Arts and Mind Lab Center for Applied Neuroaesthetics at Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine talks with BrainStorm host Meryl Comer about the health and healing benefits when we participate in the arts. Ms. Magsamen is also co-author of the New York Times Bestseller, Your Brain on Art, How the Arts Transform Us. 

Produced by Susan Quirk and Amber Roniger. 

Support the Show.

Alzheimer’s disease spares no one… and this story could easily be anyone’s story. Debra Tann Ed D., author of The Race of Dementia talks with host Meryl Comer about juggling her advocacy work while caring for her husband with dementia at home. Recipient of the 2023 Bright Focus Foundation Community Impact Award, Dr. Tann breaks the silence of the Alzheimer’s journey and talks about the stigma of Alzheimer’s and her push for education, equity, and access to health services for all. 

This episode is sponsored by Eisai.

Produced by Susan Quirk and Amber Roniger

Support the Show.