Happy & Healthy with Amy

What if you could have extensive Alzheimer's-related changes in your brain—and still have normal memory and thinking at age 101?

That's exactly what researchers discovered when they examined the brain of Sister Mary, one of 678 nuns who participated in the groundbreaking Nun Study.

Her brain was filled with amyloid plaques and tau tangles, the hallmarks of Alzheimer's disease. It had also suffered extensive damage and shrinkage. Yet researchers concluded that she didn't have dementia.

So how was that possible? And what does her story mean for Alzheimer's prevention?

In this episode, I'm exploring three important concepts researchers are studying to explain why some people develop dementia while others remain cognitively healthy despite having Alzheimer's pathology: resistance, resilience, and reserve.

We'll also look at what the Nun Study and subsequent research reveal about the role of vascular health, brain connections, and inflammation—and why Alzheimer's prevention may still matter even after the earliest disease changes have begun.

Because ultimately, the goal isn't just to prevent plaques and tangles. It's to preserve your memory, independence, and ability to keep living the life you love.

WHAT TO LISTEN FOR

• [00:00] The remarkable story of Sister Mary: How did she reach age 101 with extensive Alzheimer's pathology but no dementia diagnosis?
• [04:46] If Alzheimer's-related changes have already begun in your brain, is it too late for prevention?
• [05:53] Why a positive Alzheimer's biomarker test doesn't automatically mean you have cognitive impairment or dementia.
• [08:14] What the Nun Study and subsequent research reveal about people who have substantial Alzheimer's pathology without obvious memory problems.
• [11:01] Resistance: Why some people accumulate less Alzheimer's pathology than expected, even with genetic risk factors like APOE4.
• [11:50] Resilience: How memory and thinking can remain relatively strong despite significant Alzheimer's-related brain damage.
• [12:34] Reserve: What's the difference between brain reserve and cognitive reserve, and how might speaking multiple languages help?
• [16:00] The surprising connection between small strokes, vascular health, and whether Alzheimer's pathology leads to dementia.
• [18:39] Why the health of your brain's connections and its inflammatory responses may help explain cognitive resilience.
• [19:31] Two goals for Alzheimer's prevention—and why blood pressure, cholesterol, physical activity, sleep, and stress still matter.

THE BOTTOM LINE

Having Alzheimer's-related changes in your brain doesn't guarantee you'll develop dementia during your lifetime. And while there's no way to promise a particular outcome, the research suggests there are still meaningful reasons to support your brain health—even when those biological changes are already present.

In my upcoming prevention series, we'll explore the eight essential areas of brain health in my RESTORED Protocol, what the research actually shows, and how to turn that knowledge into habits that stick.

Download your free RESTORED Protocol: https://www.amylangcoaching.com

And be sure to follow Happy & Healthy with Amy so you don't miss the upcoming series. If you know someone who's worried about Alzheimer's, please share this episode with them.

RECOMMENDED EPISODES

• Alzheimer's Diagnosis: The 5 Questions to Ask
• Alzheimer's Prevention: The 3 Levels You Need to Know
• Alzheimer's Prevention: What You Can Do Before Symptoms Start
• Leqembi or Kisunla: How Early Can You Get Treatment?

RESEARCH & REFERENCES

Curious about the science behind this episode? Here are five research papers that explore the Nun Study, Alzheimer's pathology, and why some people maintain their memory and thinking despite significant changes in their brains.

1. The Nun Study and Sister Mary's Remarkable Story
   Snowdon, D. A. (1997). Aging and Alzheimer's Disease: Lessons from the Nun Study. The Gerontologist.
   https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/9127971/
2. Alzheimer's Pathology Without Cognitive Impairment
   Bennett, D. A., et al. (2006). Neuropathology of Older Persons Without Cognitive Impairment From Two Community-Based Studies. Neurology.
   https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/16801647/
3. Resistance and Resilience to Alzheimer's Disease
   Resistance vs Resilience to Alzheimer Disease: Clarifying Terminology for Preclinical Studies. (2018).
   https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29592885/
4. The Connection Between Small Strokes and Dementia
   Snowdon, D. A., et al. (1997). Brain Infarction and the Clinical Expression of Alzheimer Disease: The Nun Study. JAMA.
   https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/9052711/
5. Cognitive Reserve and Speaking Multiple Languages
   Bilingualism and Dementia: Cognitive Reserve to Linguistic Competency. (2019). Journal of Alzheimer's Disease.
   https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31381516/

This podcast is for educational purposes only and is not medical advice. If you're concerned about changes in your memory or thinking, consult a qualified healthcare professional.

RESOURCES:

• Take the Quiz: Is It Just Brain Fog? 
• Download After Mom’s Alzheimer’s Diagnosis: The First 8 Things to Know and learn how to support her with more calm, clarity, and confidence.
• Download the RESTORED Protocol: Eight Essential Protective Factors to Build an Alzheimer's-Resistant Brain
• Download the FREE Excerpt of Thoughts Are Habits Too
• Schedule your Breakthrough Roadmap session with Amy
• Follow Amy on Instagram @amylangcoaching  and on Facebook @amylangcoaching
• Subscribe to Amy's YouTube channel @happyandhealthywithamy

What if a simple blood test could help doctors determine whether Alzheimer's is behind your mom's memory problems?

It sounds almost too good to be true. But Alzheimer's blood tests are changing how doctors evaluate cognitive decline. And depending on which test is used, the results can be remarkably accurate.

But, keep in mind, not all blood tests are equally reliable. And even a positive result doesn't necessarily mean Alzheimer's is causing someone's memory and thinking problems.

In this episode of Happy & Healthy with Amy, I'm breaking down how Alzheimer's blood tests work, what they measure, and how they compare with amyloid PET scans and spinal fluid tests.

You'll also learn why one blood test may be enough for some patients but not others, who should consider biomarker testing, and what questions to ask your doctor to get a more accurate diagnosis.

Because the goal isn't simply to find evidence of Alzheimer's in the brain. It's to understand what's actually causing the symptoms.

Free Resource

📥  Download Alzheimer's Diagnosis Checklist

What to Listen For

• 0:00 —  Can a Simple Blood Test Detect Alzheimer's?
• 00:35 — MCI isn't Alzheimer's. Why a diagnosis of mild cognitive impairment doesn't explain what's actually causing the memory problems—and why finding the cause matters.
• 01:34 — Could your parent's diagnosis change? How amyloid biomarker results led specialists to change more than one-third of uncertain diagnoses in one study.
• 04:06 — Amyloid vs. tau: What's happening in the brain? Learn the difference between plaques and tangles, and why those two proteins are central to Alzheimer's testing.
• 07:33 — What an amyloid PET scan can—and can't—tell you. Why seeing plaques doesn't necessarily mean someone has advanced Alzheimer's or explain all of their symptoms.
• 12:38 — Why less amyloid in spinal fluid can mean more plaque in the brain. Amy breaks down the surprisingly simple logic behind the Aβ42/Aβ40 ratio.
• 16:13 — The Alzheimer's blood test breakthrough. What changed with the first FDA-cleared Alzheimer's blood test in May 2025—and why it isn't intended for everyone.
• 17:46 — What p-tau217 actually measures. Amy's coffee shop umbrella analogy explains why a tau blood test can provide evidence of amyloid buildup without measuring plaques directly.
• 23:42 — When is one blood test enough? Discover the difference between a triage test and a confirmatory test—and why some results still require a PET scan or spinal tap.
• 26:28 — Blood test, PET scan, or spinal tap: Which is best? Why the right choice depends on the person, the specific test, and the clinical circumstances.
• 34:45 — What to ask your doctor before accepting a diagnosis. The questions that can help you understand whether Alzheimer's pathology has been confirmed, how reliable the evidence is, and whether additional testing could help.

Alzheimer's blood tests are an important breakthrough, but getting an accurate diagnosis means looking beyond any single test result. Understanding what a test measures, how reliable it is, and whether it fits the person's symptoms can help you make more informed decisions.

Listen to this episode, download my free Alzheimer's Diagnosis Checklist to prepare for your next doctor's appointment, and follow Happy & Healthy with Amy on Spotify or Apple Podcasts. And if someone you love is navigating memory problems right now, please share this episode with them—because knowing which questions to ask can make all the difference.

Recommended Complementary Episodes

• Alzheimer's Diagnosis: The 5 Questions to Ask
• Early Signs of Alzheimer's That Aren’t Memory Loss
• Leqembi or Kisunla? 8 Questions Before You Decide
• Alzheimer’s Diagnosis: How to Start The Conversation with Sandra Newsome
• Alzheimer’s Prevention: What You Can Do Before Symptoms Start

RESOURCES:

• Take the Quiz: Is It Just Brain Fog? 
• Download After Mom’s Alzheimer’s Diagnosis: The First 8 Things to Know and learn how to support her with more calm, clarity, and confidence.
• Download the RESTORED Protocol: Eight Essential Protective Factors to Build an Alzheimer's-Resistant Brain
• Download the FREE Excerpt of Thoughts Are Habits Too
• Schedule your Breakthrough Roadmap session with Amy
• Follow Amy on Instagram @amylangcoaching  and on Facebook @amylangcoaching
• Subscribe to Amy's YouTube channel @happyandhealthywithamy

If your mom or dad has been diagnosed with mild cognitive impairment (MCI), does that mean they have Alzheimer's disease?

Not necessarily.

MCI and dementia describe changes in memory and thinking. But neither diagnosis, by itself, tells you what's causing those changes. And Alzheimer's isn't the only possibility.

So how do doctors figure out whether it's actually Alzheimer's? What can memory tests, MRIs, and the newer Alzheimer's blood tests tell us? And what questions should you be asking along the way?

In this episode, I'll walk you through the Alzheimer's diagnosis process, explain why getting an accurate diagnosis matters, and share five questions that can help you advocate for someone you love.

WHAT TO LISTEN FOR

• [00:00] Why an MCI diagnosis doesn't automatically mean your parent has Alzheimer's disease
• [05:08] The critical difference between MCI, dementia, and Alzheimer's—and why it matters
• [06:34] Why getting an early, accurate Alzheimer's diagnosis matters for treatment options
• [11:42] What else could be causing memory problems besides Alzheimer's?
• [13:32] Why your observations about a parent's memory and behavior are so valuable to doctors
• [14:45] What cognitive screening tests like MoCA, MMSE, and SLUMS can—and cannot—tell you
• [15:29] When neuropsychological testing may be needed and what it reveals
• [17:41] What a brain MRI can reveal about cognitive decline—and what it can help rule out
• [19:36] How Alzheimer's biomarkers, including PET scans, spinal fluid testing, and newer blood tests, are changing the diagnostic process
• [23:06] Why Alzheimer's biomarkers don't always tell the whole story—and how an accurate diagnosis helps families plan for the future

Want to know exactly what to ask at your parent's next appointment?  Download my free Alzheimer's Diagnosis Checklist

If your mom or dad has been diagnosed with MCI or dementia, remember that the most important question isn't necessarily how to treat Alzheimer's—it's what's actually causing the symptoms? Understanding the diagnosis can help you make informed decisions about treatment, care, and the road ahead.

Listen to the full episode, then download my free Is It Really Alzheimer's? A Diagnosis Checklist for Families to bring to your next doctor's appointment. And be sure to follow Happy & Healthy with Amy so you don't miss the next episode, when we'll take a closer look at Alzheimer's biomarker testing.

RECOMMENDED COMPLEMENTARY EPISODES

• Alzheimer's Early Diagnosis: When Should You See a Neurologist?
• Alzheimer’s Diagnosis: The Conversation to Start Early with Sandra Newsome
• Early Signs of Alzheimer's That Aren't Memory Loss
• Leqembi or Kisunla? 8 Questions Before You Decide
• Alzheimer's Prevention: What You Can Do Before Symptoms Start

RESOURCES:

• Take the Quiz: Is It Just Brain Fog? 
• Download After Mom’s Alzheimer’s Diagnosis: The First 8 Things to Know and learn how to support her with more calm, clarity, and confidence.
• Download the RESTORED Protocol: Eight Essential Protective Factors to Build an Alzheimer's-Resistant Brain
• Download the FREE Excerpt of Thoughts Are Habits Too
• Schedule your Breakthrough Roadmap session with Amy
• Follow Amy on Instagram @amylangcoaching  and on Facebook @amylangcoaching
• Subscribe to Amy's YouTube channel @happyandhealthywithamy

What if protecting your kids from failure is actually making it harder for them to succeed?

As parents, we want to make life easier for our children. We often step in when they're struggling, solve problems before they get too big, and try to spare them from disappointment. After all, isn't that what good parents do?

But what if... 

When we constantly rescue our kids, we unintentionally rob them of the very experiences they need to develop confidence, independence, and resilience.

In this episode of Happy and Healthy with Amy Lang, I'm joined by pediatrician Dr. Yolanda Rivera-Caudill to explore how to raise resilient kids in a world filled with stress, uncertainty, and pressure to succeed.

We discuss why failure isn't something to fear, how to help your children manage difficult emotions, and why learning to tolerate discomfort is an essential life skill.

And perhaps most importantly, you'll discover why building resilience in your children starts with how you manage your own emotions.

Whether you're raising teenagers, preparing your kids for college, or wondering if you've been doing too much for them, this conversation will give you practical ways to help your children become capable, confident adults.

What to Listen For

• (01:29) What resilience actually means—and why being flexible like a palm tree is more valuable than being unbreakable.
• (02:45) Why protecting your kids from struggle may be preventing them from developing the very skills they'll need as adults.
• (03:41) The surprising problem with telling your child "It's okay" when they're upset.
• (10:57) Why emotional regulation starts with parents, and how your response to stressful situations teaches your children how to handle their own.
• (12:38) How helicopter and lawnmower parenting can backfire—and why natural consequences are essential for building confidence.
• (17:00) Why asking "What do you think?" instead of immediately offering a solution builds problem-solving skills—and how boredom encourages independence.
• (20:08) The critical difference between punishment and consequences, and why one creates better opportunities for learning.
• (23:40) How to help children distinguish manageable stress from overwhelm—and turn everyday challenges into opportunities for growth.
• (27:13) A simple hand-breathing exercise you can teach your children to help them manage frustration and stressful emotions.
• (37:44) What Dr. Rivera-Caudill wishes she'd done differently when raising her three children—and the one parenting practice she's especially glad she embraced.

Raising resilient kids doesn't mean protecting them from every disappointment. It means giving them opportunities to struggle, solve problems, manage emotions, and discover what they're capable of. Listen to this episode of Happy and Healthy with Amy Lang to discover practical ways to build resilience in your children, and be sure to follow the show so you don't miss future conversations about creating a healthier, happier life.

Important Links and Resources

• Learn more about Purpose & Plants — Dr. Rivera-Caudill's lifestyle medicine and family wellness initiative
• Dr. Rivera-Caudill on Instagram — @thedoctorbeet
• Discover more about Dr. Rivera-Caudill’s practice https://tinybeet.com/
• The Compass Method — Dr. Rivera-Caudill's podcast

Study Referenced

Bureau JS, Mageau GA. Parental autonomy support and honesty: the mediating role of identification with the honesty value and perceived costs and benefits of honesty. J Adolesc. 2014 Apr;37(3):225-36. doi: 10.1016/j.adolescence.2013.12.007. Epub 2014 Jan 28. PMID: 24636683.

RESOURCES:

• Take the Quiz: Is It Just Brain Fog? 
• Download After Mom’s Alzheimer’s Diagnosis: The First 8 Things to Know and learn how to support her with more calm, clarity, and confidence.
• Download the RESTORED Protocol: Eight Essential Protective Factors to Build an Alzheimer's-Resistant Brain
• Download the FREE Excerpt of Thoughts Are Habits Too
• Schedule your Breakthrough Roadmap session with Amy
• Follow Amy on Instagram @amylangcoaching  and on Facebook @amylangcoaching
• Subscribe to Amy's YouTube channel @happyandhealthywithamy

If Alzheimer’s starts in the brain years—sometimes decades—before symptoms appear, why wait until memory problems begin to treat it?

That’s the question behind today’s episode.

The newer Alzheimer’s drugs Leqembi and Kisunla appear to offer the most promising results when treatment starts early. But “early” doesn’t currently mean before symptoms.

So how early can you take them?

In this episode, Amy explains where the treatment window begins today, why these anti-amyloid drugs aren’t currently approved for people with preclinical Alzheimer’s disease, and what researchers are studying to determine whether that could change.

You’ll also learn why having amyloid in your brain does not guarantee that you’ll develop dementia—and why being too early for medication doesn’t mean you’re too early to take meaningful action to protect your brain.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

• How early you can currently start Leqembi or Kisunla
• The difference between MCI, mild dementia, and preclinical Alzheimer’s disease
• Why doctors need to confirm that amyloid is present before prescribing an anti-amyloid treatment
• Why earlier treatment within the current treatment window may produce more promising results
• How amyloid, tau, inflammation, and neurodegeneration fit into Alzheimer’s progression
• Why removing amyloid later in the disease process may have less impact
• What the AHEAD 3-45 and TRAILBLAZER-ALZ 3 prevention trials are trying to discover
• Why amyloid in the brain does not automatically mean dementia is inevitable
• The risks and treatment burden that must be weighed against the potential benefits of earlier treatment
• What you can start doing today if your goal is to prevent or delay cognitive decline

Download Amy’s free RESTORED Protocol:
amylangcoaching.com

Use it to assess the major lifestyle areas that support brain health and identify the next step you can take toward building an Alzheimer’s-resistant brain.

Related episodes:
Listen to Amy’s Leqembi and Kisunla series, including:

• Leqembi or Kisunla? 8 Things You Need to Know Before You Decide
• Understanding ARIA: How Risky Are Leqembi and Kisunla?
• Alzheimer’s Early Diagnosis: When Should You See a Neurologist?

Memory and thinking problems do not automatically mean Alzheimer’s disease. There are multiple possible causes of cognitive impairment, including conditions that may be treatable or potentially reversible.

And if Alzheimer’s is the cause, the disease-modifying treatments available today are designed specifically for the early symptomatic stages.

Talk with a qualified healthcare professional or ask for a referral to a neurologist.

This podcast is for educational purposes only and is not medical advice.

RESOURCES:

• Take the Quiz: Is It Just Brain Fog? 
• Download After Mom’s Alzheimer’s Diagnosis: The First 8 Things to Know and learn how to support her with more calm, clarity, and confidence.
• Download the RESTORED Protocol: Eight Essential Protective Factors to Build an Alzheimer's-Resistant Brain
• Download the FREE Excerpt of Thoughts Are Habits Too
• Schedule your Breakthrough Roadmap session with Amy
• Follow Amy on Instagram @amylangcoaching  and on Facebook @amylangcoaching
• Subscribe to Amy's YouTube channel @happyandhealthywithamy

If Alzheimer’s runs in your family, you may find yourself wondering: Is this going to happen to me?

You may worry about losing your memory, your independence, or your ability to make your own decisions. And every forgotten name or misplaced pair of glasses can suddenly feel a little more loaded.

But here’s what I want you to know: your genes are not your destiny.

We now know that the brain changes associated with Alzheimer’s can begin 10, 20, or even 30 years before noticeable symptoms appear. And while that may sound scary at first, there’s another way to look at it: that long runway may give us an important window for Alzheimer’s prevention.

In this episode, I’m breaking down what prevention actually means in real life. We’ll talk about preclinical Alzheimer’s, amyloid and tau, the prevention trials testing whether treating earlier can protect cognitive function, and a finding involving people in their 50s and early 60s that I found particularly encouraging.

Because the goal isn’t simply to avoid an Alzheimer’s diagnosis.

It’s to stay sharp, curious, independent, and fully engaged in your life for as long as possible.

WHAT TO LISTEN FOR

• 00:00 — What Alzheimer’s prevention really means in real life. It’s about more than keeping a blood test negative. It’s about protecting your memory, independence, judgment, relationships, and ability to live life on your terms.
• 03:47 — Myth #1: “Alzheimer’s runs in my family, so I’m probably going to get it.” Learn why family history and APOE4 can affect risk without determining your future.
• 06:11 — Myth #2: Alzheimer’s is a disease of old age. The symptoms may appear later in life, but Alzheimer’s-related brain changes can begin 10, 20, or even 30 years earlier.
• 07:18 — What “preclinical Alzheimer’s” actually means. You can have Alzheimer’s-related biological changes while still thinking normally, working, driving, and managing everyday life.
• 09:03 — Amyloid vs. tau: the wildfire analogy. Amyloid may act more like kindling, while the spread of tau appears to track more closely with brain-cell loss and cognitive decline.
• 13:33 — Are we treating Alzheimer’s too late? Learn what the AHEAD and TRAILBLAZER-ALZ prevention trials are testing in people who are still cognitively normal.
• 15:42 — The midlife finding I found especially encouraging. Researchers stopped screening 55- to 64-year-olds for one major prevention trial because so many weren't reaching the required p-tau217 blood-test cutoff.
• 18:07 — Why “earlier treatment” doesn't automatically mean “better choice.” Anti-amyloid drugs can have serious risks, which means preventing or delaying the need for treatment remains an important goal.
• 20:14 — Prevention vs. cure vs. reversal. These words aren't interchangeable. Learn what each would actually mean for Alzheimer's disease—and where medicine stands today.
• 27:00 — Why I want us to aim higher than “not getting dementia.” Meet the “superagers” and consider a new goal: building a brain that stays sharp, curious, resilient, and engaged as you age.

Alzheimer’s prevention doesn’t have to begin with a brain scan, blood test, or prescription. For most healthy people, it can begin much earlier—with the daily choices that support a stronger, more resilient brain.

So instead of asking only, How do I avoid dementia?, let’s aim higher: How do I give myself the best possible chance of staying cognitively strong as I age?

Listen to the full episode, subscribe to Happy & Healthy with Amy, and download my free RESTORED Protocol to learn the eight essential protective factors you can start working on now.

Episode about ARIA and anti-amyloid treatment risks:
https://youtu.be/sjof-a6ow6M

Anti-Amyloid Treatment Checklist:
https://www.amylangcoaching.com/treatmentchecklist

National Institute on Aging:
https://www.nia.nih.gov/health/alzheimers-caregiving

Alzheimer’s Association:
https://www.alz.org/help-support/caregiving

RESOURCES:

• Take the Quiz: Is It Just Brain Fog? 
• Download After Mom’s Alzheimer’s Diagnosis: The First 8 Things to Know and learn how to support her with more calm, clarity, and confidence.
• Download the RESTORED Protocol: Eight Essential Protective Factors to Build an Alzheimer's-Resistant Brain
• Download the FREE Excerpt of Thoughts Are Habits Too
• Schedule your Breakthrough Roadmap session with Amy
• Follow Amy on Instagram @amylangcoaching  and on Facebook @amylangcoaching
• Subscribe to Amy's YouTube channel @happyandhealthywithamy

You hear the phrase Alzheimer’s prevention all the time.

But what if the disease process has already started before you know it?

What if Alzheimer’s-related changes are already happening in your brain—but you have no memory problems, no cognitive symptoms, and no idea anything is going on?

Can we still call that prevention?

And here’s another question: As Alzheimer’s testing gets earlier and more sensitive, is knowing sooner always better?

In this episode, we’re unpacking what Alzheimer’s prevention really means, why timing changes the goal, and the surprising reason more testing isn’t automatically better.

Because depending on where someone is in the disease process, we may be trying to prevent very different things.

And understanding that distinction can completely change the way you interpret the next Alzheimer’s headline you see.

WHAT TO LISTEN FOR

• 00:00 — Why “Alzheimer’s prevention” may not mean what you think it means. The distinction that changes the entire conversation.
• 01:11 — What cancer can teach us about Alzheimer’s prevention. Why Amy uses screening, early detection, and treatment as a surprisingly useful analogy.
• 03:00 — When prevention really does mean preventing disease. Where blood pressure, cholesterol, exercise, sleep, diabetes, hearing loss, and other modifiable risk factors fit.
• 05:15 — The problem with the “45% preventable” statistic. What that number does—and does not—mean for your personal Alzheimer’s risk.
• 07:30 — What if Alzheimer’s has already started in the brain? The point where the definition of prevention gets much murkier.
• 10:00 — Three versions of “Alzheimer’s disease” that are easy to confuse. Why pathology, clinical disease, and dementia aren’t interchangeable.
• 13:00 — Could treating Alzheimer’s before symptoms appear actually work? The research question scientists are now trying to answer.
• 16:00 — When prevention starts looking a lot more like treatment. What changes once cognitive symptoms appear.
• 19:15 — The fourth kind of prevention most people have never heard of. And why it could become increasingly important as Alzheimer’s testing gets earlier.
• 21:00 — Should you get tested just because a test exists? The question Amy believes matters more than simply asking, “Can I?”

The most important takeaway from this episode is that there may be something you can do at every stage—but the stage changes the goal.

What we’re trying to prevent at age 52 with no signs of disease may be very different from what we’re trying to prevent once Alzheimer’s-related pathology or cognitive symptoms are present.

Listen to the full episode to understand where primary, secondary, tertiary, and quaternary prevention fit—and why these distinctions may become even more important as Alzheimer’s testing and treatment continue to evolve.

And if this episode helps you think differently about Alzheimer’s prevention, follow Happy & Healthy with Amy and share it with someone who has been wondering what they can actually do to protect their brain.

RESOURCES:

• Take the Quiz: Is It Just Brain Fog? 
• Download After Mom’s Alzheimer’s Diagnosis: The First 8 Things to Know and learn how to support her with more calm, clarity, and confidence.
• Download the RESTORED Protocol: Eight Essential Protective Factors to Build an Alzheimer's-Resistant Brain
• Download the FREE Excerpt of Thoughts Are Habits Too
• Schedule your Breakthrough Roadmap session with Amy
• Follow Amy on Instagram @amylangcoaching  and on Facebook @amylangcoaching
• Subscribe to Amy's YouTube channel @happyandhealthywithamy

You probably already know that memory changes can be an early sign of Alzheimer’s.

But what about taking twice as long to finish familiar tasks? Or becoming more withdrawn? 

Those are the kinds of changes most people never connect to brain health.

And that creates a problem: if you’re only watching for memory loss, you may be overlooking other changes worth paying attention to.

In the previous episode, we talked about why early diagnosis matters. Today, we’re answering the question that comes next: What exactly should you be looking for?

What to Listen For

• 00:00 — When does a frustrating memory lapse become something worth paying attention to? One forgotten word isn’t the issue. Amy explains what matters more.
• 03:30 — The 4 questions to ask before assuming the worst. This simple filter can help you separate an isolated “brain glitch” from a pattern that deserves a closer look.
• 07:10 — The memory distinction that changes how you think about forgetting. There’s an important difference between struggling to retrieve information and not retaining it in the first place.
• 11:00 — Misplacing something isn’t necessarily the red flag. What happens after you realize it’s missing may be much more revealing.
• 13:30 — An early change that can show up while driving or navigating. It may begin far more subtly than getting lost somewhere familiar.
• 14:45 — Why being able to complete a familiar task doesn’t always mean nothing has changed. Sometimes the clue is hidden in how much harder your brain has to work.
• 17:05 — The signs the people around you may notice before you do. Some early changes have surprisingly little to do with memory.
• 18:30 — The unexpected sense that may offer clues about brain health. It’s not diagnostic, but it’s one most people would never think to mention to their doctor.
• 20:00 — When several small changes start becoming a pattern. Amy explains when it may be time to stop monitoring on your own and start a conversation with a healthcare professional.
• 23:30 — What can you actually do with this information? Amy shares what a major lifestyle study found about cognition—and why your next step shouldn’t be trying to change everything at once.

If you haven’t listened to the previous episode on why early diagnosis matters, listen to that one next. Then download the free RESTORED Protocol, choose one small action you can take today to support your brain health, and share this episode with someone who may be wondering about changes in themselves or someone they love.

Recommended Complimentary Episodes

• Alzheimer’s Early Diagnosis: When Should You See a Neurologist? Why getting answers sooner matters.
• Do Leqembi and Kisunla Work? The 2 Key Factors. Start here for Part 1 of Amy’s three-part anti-amyloid series. Learn why the stage of Alzheimer’s disease and tau burden can influence how meaningful treatment benefit may be.
• Understanding ARIA: How Risky Are Leqembi and Kisunla? Part 2 explains the brain swelling and bleeding risk that comes with anti-amyloid treatment, why ARIA exists on a spectrum, and why individual risk factors matter.
• Leqembi or Kisunla? 8 Questions Before You Decide. The natural next listen after Episode 356. Amy walks families through the questions to consider when a neurologist says someone with MCI or early Alzheimer’s may qualify for treatment.
• Alzheimer’s Drugs: Why Amyloid Removal May Not Be Enough. Learn why successfully clearing amyloid from the brain doesn’t necessarily translate into meaningful improvements in memory or daily function, and how tau, neuroinflammation, and timing factor into the Alzheimer’s disease process.

RESOURCES:

• Take the Quiz: Is It Just Brain Fog? 
• Download After Mom’s Alzheimer’s Diagnosis: The First 8 Things to Know and learn how to support her with more calm, clarity, and confidence.
• Download the RESTORED Protocol: Eight Essential Protective Factors to Build an Alzheimer's-Resistant Brain
• Download the FREE Excerpt of Thoughts Are Habits Too
• Schedule your Breakthrough Roadmap session with Amy
• Follow Amy on Instagram @amylangcoaching  and on Facebook @amylangcoaching
• Subscribe to Amy's YouTube channel @happyandhealthywithamy

You forget a word you’ve known forever. Miss an appointment you normally would never forget. Or maybe your mom tells the same story three times during dinner.

And suddenly the thought appears:

What if this is Alzheimer’s?

Then comes the question that can keep people stuck for months—or even years:

Do I really want to know?

In this episode of Happy & Healthy with Amy, we’re talking about why so many people delay getting memory changes evaluated, what that waiting period may quietly be costing you, and why seeing a neurologist doesn’t necessarily mean getting the answer you fear most.

You’ll also learn why timing matters more now than it did just a few years ago, the mistake families often make when trying to convince a reluctant parent to get checked, and one potential outcome of an evaluation that rarely gets talked about.

If you’ve been wondering whether you—or someone you love—should see a neurologist, this episode will help you understand what may be at stake before you decide to wait.

What To Listen For

• [00:00] The kitchen moment that can instantly trigger the fear: “What if this is how Alzheimer’s starts?”
• [06:22] What Amy means by a meaningful cognitive change—and why a change from your personal baseline matters more than an occasional forgotten word
• [07:09] Five thoughts that can keep you from making the appointment, including “It’s just normal aging” and “There’s nothing you can do”
• [12:53] Why avoiding an Alzheimer’s evaluation may temporarily preserve hope—but can also prolong chronic stress and uncertainty
• [14:54] Other conditions that can look like cognitive decline, including sleep apnea, thyroid problems, depression, medication effects, vascular disease, and menopause-related changes
• [15:42] The possibility almost nobody talks about: your neurologist may be able to tell you that you don’t have Alzheimer’s
• [17:42] Why an early Alzheimer’s diagnosis can preserve access to newer treatment conversations—including Leqembi and Kisunla
• [19:06] How getting answers earlier can protect your voice in decisions involving treatment, finances, driving, living arrangements, and medical preferences
• [21:40] How to approach a parent or partner who refuses to see a neurologist without creating even more resistance
• [25:11] The difference between investigating symptoms now and the “hidden window” before symptoms—and what prevention studies such as AHEAD are trying to learn

Fear may tell you that avoiding the appointment protects you from bad news. But not knowing doesn’t eliminate the uncertainty—and an evaluation may bring answers, options, or even relief.

If you’ve noticed a meaningful cognitive change in yourself or someone you love, listen to the full episode and consider making that next appointment. Then subscribe to Happy & Healthy with Amy so you don’t miss future episodes on Alzheimer’s prevention, early diagnosis, and the choices families may face after a diagnosis.

Recommended Complimentary Episodes

• Do Leqembi and Kisunla Work? The 2 Key Factors. Start here for Part 1 of Amy’s three-part anti-amyloid series. Learn why the stage of Alzheimer’s disease and tau burden can influence how meaningful treatment benefit may be.
• Understanding ARIA: How Risky Are Leqembi and Kisunla? Part 2 explains the brain swelling and bleeding risk that comes with anti-amyloid treatment, why ARIA exists on a spectrum, and why individual risk factors matter.
• Leqembi or Kisunla? 8 Questions Before You Decide. The natural next listen after Episode 356. Amy walks families through the questions to consider when a neurologist says someone with MCI or early Alzheimer’s may qualify for treatment.
• Alzheimer’s Diagnosis: The Conversation to Start Early with Sandra Newsome. A strong companion for listeners who receive a diagnosis and immediately wonder what conversations need to happen with the people they love.
• Alzheimer’s Drugs: Why Amyloid Removal May Not Be Enough. Learn why successfully clearing amyloid from the brain doesn’t necessarily translate into meaningful improvements in memory or daily function, and how tau, neuroinflammation, and timing factor into the Alzheimer’s disease process.

RESOURCES:

• Take the Quiz: Is It Just Brain Fog? 
• Download After Mom’s Alzheimer’s Diagnosis: The First 8 Things to Know and learn how to support her with more calm, clarity, and confidence.
• Download the RESTORED Protocol: Eight Essential Protective Factors to Build an Alzheimer's-Resistant Brain
• Download the FREE Excerpt of Thoughts Are Habits Too
• Schedule your Breakthrough Roadmap session with Amy
• Follow Amy on Instagram @amylangcoaching  and on Facebook @amylangcoaching
• Subscribe to Amy's YouTube channel @happyandhealthywithamy

Your mom or dad has been diagnosed with mild cognitive impairment or early Alzheimer’s, and the neurologist says Leqembi or Kisunla may be an option.

Now comes the harder question:

Just because they qualify, does that mean treatment is actually worth it?

There are a few pieces of information that can meaningfully change that answer. Some are obvious. Others are easy to misunderstand. And one commonly discussed Alzheimer’s biomarker may not tell you nearly as much about treatment benefit as you might assume.

In this final episode of my three-part series, I’ll show you how to put benefit, risk, treatment burden, and your parent’s priorities into the same decision.

And I’ll give you one question to ask the neurologist that may reveal more than almost anything else you ask during the appointment.

What to Listen For

• [00:00] Why being eligible for Leqembi or Kisunla is only the beginning of the decision
• [02:15] The first thing that needs to be established before treatment is even considered
• [07:00] The Alzheimer’s biomarker that sounds more predictive than it actually is 
• [09:15] Why a small-looking trial result may—or may not—matter more over time
• [11:34] The five factors that can shift ARIA risk higher or lower
• [16:15] Why ARIA risk factors can guide the conversation without predicting exactly what will happen
• [21:21] The practical differences between Leqembi and Kisunla that may matter to your family
• [23:15] Why comparing their headline trial percentages can lead you to the wrong conclusion
• [24:25] The medical question versus the personal question
• [29:00] The one neurologist question that may reveal more than almost anything else you ask

Listen to the full episode, download the free decision-making checklist, and bring it to your next neurology appointment so you can ask better questions and participate more confidently in the conversation.

And if this three-part series has helped your family, please subscribe to Happy and Healthy with Amy and share it with the brother, sister, spouse, or friend who is navigating this decision with you.

Recommended Complimentary Episodes

• Part 1: Do Leqembi and Kisunla Work? The 2 Key Factors Start here for the efficacy data and why disease stage and tau burden matter.
• Part 2: Understanding ARIA: How Risky Are Leqembi and Kisunla? The essential companion to this episode, covering brain swelling, bleeding, APOE4 and MRI monitoring.
• Is Alzheimer's Really Hereditary? What you need to know about APOE4 and your genetic risk.
• How to Prevent Cognitive Decline: What the U.S. POINTER Study Reveals.

RESOURCES:

• Take the Quiz: Is It Just Brain Fog? 
• Download After Mom’s Alzheimer’s Diagnosis: The First 8 Things to Know and learn how to support her with more calm, clarity, and confidence.
• Download the RESTORED Protocol: Eight Essential Protective Factors to Build an Alzheimer's-Resistant Brain
• Download the FREE Excerpt of Thoughts Are Habits Too
• Schedule your Breakthrough Roadmap session with Amy
• Follow Amy on Instagram @amylangcoaching  and on Facebook @amylangcoaching
• Subscribe to Amy's YouTube channel @happyandhealthywithamy