In this episode of Boomer Living, we have Dr. David C. Weisman, MD - Founder of the Clinical Trial Center at Abington Neurological Associates. He has become a leading AD trialist nationwide and has conducted numerous clinical trials in mild cognitive impairment and Alzheimer’s disease, working with nearly every major sponsor and investigation to develop disease-modifying drugs in Alzheimer’s disease.

We discuss what Alzheimer's disease is (vs. memory loss, senility, dementia) and how it is diagnosed and is being diagnosed, whether there's hope for a cure for Alzheimer's, what research is being done on Alzheimer's, and how Dr. Weisman managed through the COVID-19 pandemic, and much more...

[00:00] Pre-intro dialogue
[01:15] Introduction
[01:49] Distinguishing between Alzheimer's disease and other cognitive impairments, like memory loss, senility, and dementia.
[03:21] How is Alzheimer's disease diagnosed and then has this method of diagnosis changed at all over the last several years?
[05:30] Details of the Philadelphia Cognitive Exam, the computerized screening system to diagnose and detect dementia that Dr. Weisman invented and validated. What impact has it made on people with dementia?
[07:42] What research are you currently working on, surrounding Alzheimer's?
[09:30] How did you manage doing clinical trials during the pandemic? Did you have to put your research on pause or simply change how it was done?
[12:53] What are the biggest findings that you've uncovered in your Alzheimer's research?
[13:18] What about your research makes you most optimistic about the future of Alzheimer's diagnosis or treatment?
[13:56] You founded a research center and now you conduct research outside an academic center. Explain the difference between the two and why did you do it that way?
[15:38] Would you recommend the COVID-19 vaccines to people with Alzheimer's dementia or other cognitive impairment and are there special side-effects that we should keep an eye on?
[17:58] What advice would you give to a younger version of yourself? Someone who's interested in doing research?
[19:47] What do you think is your biggest strength that enables you to have a unique, impactful effect on older adults or adults with dementia?
[20:41] Wrap-up

David Weisman, M.D., received a BA in philosophy from Franklin and Marshall College, then an MD from Pennsylvania State College of Medicine. After an internship at St. Mary’s Hospital in San Francisco, he completed neurology residency at Yale, where he served as Chief resident. He then went to University California, San Diego for fellowship training in Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias.

You can learn more about Dr. Weisman and his work at: https://www.abingtonneurology.com/providers/weisman/

You can listen to Joe's first appearance on the show (season1, episode8) here: Caring For A Loved One With Dementia with Dr. David C. Weisman MD