Join Emmy award-winning journalist Meryl Comer as she kicks off the new year with "Rockstar of Science" Dr. Rudy Tanzi, the pioneering Harvard neurologist who discovered the first three Alzheimer's genes. In this illuminating episode, Dr. Tanzi, Director of the Genetics and Aging Research Unit and Director of the McCance Center for Brain Health at Mass General Hospital, delves into the latest breakthroughs in Alzheimer's treatment, including new FDA-approved drugs and revolut...
Jan 22, 2025•18 min•Transcript available on Metacast In part 2 of BrainStorm, host Meryl Comer and Dr. Rebecca Chopp, former Chancellor of the University of Denver and Dean of Yale Divinity School, delve into maintaining dignity while living with Alzheimer's and dealing with guilt when transitioning loved ones to memory care. Dr. Chopp shares how spirituality and religious practices can help those with dementia, including the role of music and ritual in connecting with memories. The episode also stresses the importance of early conversations ...
Dec 17, 2024•14 min•Transcript available on Metacast Spirituality can often be used to provide support to families and caregivers coping with Alzheimer’s disease or other dementias. Dr. Rebecca Chopp, former Chancellor of the University of Denver and Dean of Yale Divinity School, diagnosed with early-onset Alzheimer’s in 2019, talks about her spiritual journey with BrainStorm host Meryl Comer. Dr. Chopp shares her personal story of being raised in an agnostic family to becoming a theologian. She explores spirituality and faith while offering insig...
Dec 04, 2024•21 min•Transcript available on Metacast Music and the arts have a positive impact on brain health, mental well-being, and quality of life. Renée Fleming, World Renowned Soprano and Global Arts Health Advocate shares the latest science behind the healing power of music and the brain with BrainStorm host Meryl Comer. Fleming’s anthology, Music and Mind: Harnessing the Arts for Health and Wellness, is a collection of essays about the powerful impact of music on health and human experiences, particularly how it plays a critical role to he...
Nov 19, 2024•15 min•Ep 75•Transcript available on Metacast The latest research shows that not only does music play an important role in the development of cognitive, emotional, and social abilities in children, but it also benefits cognitive functioning in older adults, including those suffering from dementia. In this episode of BrainStorm host Meryl Comer sits down with Dr. Assal Habibi, Assistant Professor of Psychology at the Brain and Creativity Institute and Director of the Center for Music Brain and Society at the University of Southern California...
Nov 05, 2024•18 min•Ep 74•Transcript available on Metacast Long-term and health care costs for people living with Alzheimer's and other dementias are projected to reach $360 billion in the Unites States this year. In part 2 of the interview with Investment Advisor and New York Times Bestselling author Ric Edelman, host Meryl Comer asks about the financial challenges faced by families dealing with Alzheimer’s. Listen to the advice Edleman has about long-term care insurance and mistakes individuals commonly make in planning for retirement. You won’t ...
Oct 15, 2024•20 min•Transcript available on Metacast Alzheimer’s disease can devastate families financially and requires smart financial planning for healthy longevity. Investment Advisor and New York Times bestselling author Ric Edelman and host Meryl Comer discuss the financial implications of Alzheimer’s. Mr. Edelman highlights a few common financial mistakes individuals often make, including procrastination in planning for retirement. Better diagnostic tools for Alzheimer’s and the importance of early detection are needed to help manage the bu...
Oct 02, 2024•21 min•Ep 72•Transcript available on Metacast When it comes to brain health, it can be information overload. Drs. Dean and Ayesha Sherzai, co-directors of the Brain Health and Alzheimer's Prevention Program at Loma Linda University give their perspective on brain health supplements and the tests to have your doctor administer. In this episode of BrainStorm by UsAgainstAlzheimer's, host Meryl Comer also delves into the couple's research and the difficulties of recruitment. Their work, featured in the Netflix documentary You Ar...
Sep 17, 2024•21 min•Ep 71•Transcript available on Metacast Can small adjustments to lifestyle make a difference for healthy longevity? In this episode of BrainStorm by UsAgainstAlzheimer's, host Meryl Comer focuses on Alzheimer’s prevention with Drs. Dean and Ayesha Sherzai, co-directors of the Brain Health and Alzheimer's Prevention Program at Loma Linda University. The couple's research, including their work featured in the Netflix documentary You Are What You Eat , shows that diet plays a crucial role in brain health. Their discussion ...
Sep 04, 2024•20 min•Ep 70•Transcript available on Metacast How does someone with a movement disorder that effects executive functioning suddenly move to music with a dance tempo? Concetta M. Tomaino, Executive Director and Co-founder of the Institute for Music and Neurologic Function, and long-time collaborator with famed British neurologist Oliver Sacks, explores the power of music to reach those with dementia and other neurologic conditions. Tomaino dives into the research with host, Meryl Comer on ways to use music to awaken cognitive reserve in our ...
Aug 20, 2024•13 min•Ep 69•Transcript available on Metacast How can someone with supposedly no memory recognize a familiar melody? Concetta M. Tomaino, Executive Director and Co-founder of the Institute for Music and Neurologic Function, and long-time collaborator with famed British neurologist Oliver Sacks, dives into the research with host, Meryl Comer. Tomaino shares clinical techniques to help us reach and awaken cognitive reserve in our loved ones with music deep into late-stages of Alzheimer's disease. You won’t want to miss this episode in Br...
Aug 06, 2024•19 min•Transcript available on Metacast Lifestyle interventions like diet and exercise can reduce the risk of developing dementia. A recent study by Dr. Dean Ornish, Founder and President of The Preventative Medicine Research Institute, suggests actual reversal of Alzheimer’s symptoms without medication. In part 2, host Meryl Comer and Dr. Ornish further discuss the findings of his study published in Alzheimer’s Research & Therapy . Listen as they talk about the success of his nine-week Medicare-covered program for heart disease, ...
Jul 18, 2024•19 min•Transcript available on Metacast Imagine being able to fight the effects of Alzheimer’s through changes to the way you live your daily life. Dr. Dean Ornish sits down with host Meryl Comer to discuss the findings of his study published in Alzheimer’s Research & Therapy . Lifestyle interventions like diet and exercise not only can reduce the risk of developing dementia, but this study also suggests actual reversal of Alzheimer’s symptoms without medication. Listen to Dr. Ornish’s approach that is adding to the treatment opti...
Jul 03, 2024•15 min•Transcript available on Metacast How personal and meaningful are music and the arts to your brain health, mental well-being, and quality of life? Renée Fleming, World Renowned Soprano and Global Arts Health Advocate shares the latest science behind the intersection of arts and health with BrainStorm host Meryl Comer. Fleming’s new anthology, Music and Mind: Harnessing the Arts for Health and Wellness, is a collection of essays about the powerful impact of music on health and the human experience. You won’t want to miss this fir...
Jun 18, 2024•15 min•Ep 65•Transcript available on Metacast Join us for part 2 of BrainStorm’s interview with Dr. Suzanne LeBlang, Director of Clinical Relations at Focused Ultrasound Foundation ( www.fusfoundation.org ). Host Meryl Comer and Dr. LeBlang discuss eligibility criteria and applications for the ground-breaking technology of focused ultrasound – a non-invasive procedure for treating tremors in Parkinson’s disease and those newly diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease. This technological advancement can target and treat tissue deep within the brai...
Jun 04, 2024•13 min•Ep 64•Transcript available on Metacast A ground-breaking, but still experimental non-invasive procedure for treating those newly diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease, has attracted widespread media attention. Featured on CBS 60 Minutes, focused ultrasound can target and treat tissue deep within the brain, enhance drug delivery, and facilitate the removal of amyloid plaques without the need for surgery. Dr. Suzanne LeBlang, Director of Clinical Relations at Focused Ultrasound Foundation ( www.fusfoundation.org ), discusses this new non-...
May 21, 2024•18 min•Transcript available on Metacast Traditionally two-thirds of unpaid family caregivers have been women, but that is changing. Men now account for more than 40% of those caring for a spouse or aging parent with dementia. Former Wisconsin Governor Martin Schreiber talks with host Meryl Comer about his caregiving journey. Schreiber recounts his wife by his side during 16 years in public service, but his nearly two decade journey as her caregiver provides insight that he shares in his book, My Two Elaines: Learning, Coping, and Surv...
May 07, 2024•20 min•Transcript available on Metacast Join us for part 2 of BrainStorm’s interview with Dr. Brent Forester, Chairman of the Department of Psychiatry, and Director of Behavioral Health at Tufts Medical Center. Host Meryl Comer and Dr. Forester discuss the need for a change of mindset by the medical community and the public in general when it comes to dementia. Dr. Forester, author of The Complete Family Guide to Dementia, Everything You Need to Know to Help Your Parent and Yourself , explains how countless families grappling with the...
Apr 16, 2024•13 min•Transcript available on Metacast If you're facing the challenge of caring for a parent with dementia, you are not alone. In this episode of BrainStorm Brent Forester, MD, MSc, Psychiatrist in Chief, Chairman of the Department of Psychiatry, and Director of Behavioral Health at Tufts Medical Center, discussed the complexity of dementia care and the importance of a holistic approach with host Meryl Comer. Dr. Forester, author of The Complete Family Guide to Dementia, everything You Need to Know to Help Your Parent and Yourse...
Apr 03, 2024•16 min•Ep 60•Transcript available on Metacast Join us for part 2 of BrainStorm’s interview with Dr. Pierre Tariot, former Director for Banner Alzheimer's Institute and Co-Director of The International Alzheimer's Prevention Project. Host Meryl Comer and Dr. Tariot delve into the neuropsychiatric features of dementia and highlight advancements on how to manage these challenging symptoms and behaviors in order to keep a loved one at home. You won’t want to miss this episode. This episode is sponsored by Otsuka and Lundbeck. Support ...
Mar 19, 2024•13 min•Transcript available on Metacast 
