This podcast is a great resource for people interested in staying on top of emerging research on Alzheimer’s disease and other types of dementia. The interviewer makes very complicated topics accessible, and provides useful information for caregivers and people affected by this disorder.

As a clinician in full-time private practice it is very hard to find enough time to stay on top of the emerging literature on the various conditions affecting my clients. This podcast helps solve that problem. In each episode I’m invited into a 30-55 minute conversation on an aspect of dementia I either wasn’t aware of, hadn’t considered, or of which needing a better grasp. Plus, I can finish most episodes on my commute to and from the office. (To be honest, I also love this podcast because of my hometown pride - it is recorded in Madison, right down the street from my desk.)

The host, Dr. Chin, is a geriatrician and the medical director for the Wisconsin Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center. His interview style is gracious and kind, drawing out his guest’s expertise in a way that is both accessible and useful, without feeling dry or cerebral, while still being pretty sophisticated. Some episodes even offer continuing education credits. I also like that the guests cover a wide range of expertise, from psychiatrists and occupational therapists, to public health experts and scientists, to the many other professionals and volunteers working against Alzheimer’s and other dementia disorders. He has also interviewed people living with dementia or mild cognitive impairment, making the podcast feel like a voice for a larger community.

A word of warning: some episodes can get pretty dense. But even in those episodes, listen for Dr. Chen to summarize key takeaways for those of us who aren’t as comfortable with the technical jargon of lab assays, gene therapies, and the various Tao mutations.

This October marks 8 years of Dementia Matters. This means the show’s archive now contains a wealth of information on so many facets of this condition. In it you’ll find answers to questions that come up around the impact of family history on Alzheimer’s risk, up to date information on biomarkers and technologies for detecting the disease, as well as conversations about diet, exercise, and other behavioral interventions that may help reduce risk or best manage symptoms.

I’ve included links below to the show’s website and 10 interesting episodes from the past few years that I’ve loved. Go find it on Apple Podcasts … or wherever you get your podcasts.

10 Interesting Episodes

Helpful or Harmful? New Study Looks at the Impact of Technology Use on Cognition - 7/29/25

Harnessing Habits: The Power of Routines on the Brain - 6/17/25

Talking about Tau: The Role of Tau PET Scans in Alzheimer’s Research and Care - 4/8/25

A Pathway to Wellness: The Benefits of Integrative Medicine on Brain Health - 3/12/15

What Now? Next Steps After Receiving an MCI Diagnosis - 1/29/25

Catch Some Zzz’s: The Cognitive Benefits of Quality Sleep - 10/8/24

Defining and Addressing Preclinical Alzheimer’s Disease - part 1 - 9/10/24

Gut Feelings: The Links Between Gut Health and Alzheimer’s Disease - 8/28/24

Reviewing the Six Pillars of Brain Health - 8/13/24

Mental Health and Memory: The Connections between Chronic Mental Illness and Dementia - 9/19/23