Stay ConnectedWelcome to the Age of Aging, a podcast about living well with an aging brain. The Age of Aging is a podcast released every other Tuesday, covering a wide range of stories in aging research. Co-hosted by Jake Johnson and Terrence Casey from the Penn Memory Center communications team, each episode they will explore what it means to age with independence and dignity in the modern world.
The Age of Aging is recorded and produced at the Michael Naidoff Communications Hub at the Penn Memory Center.
Copyright: © 2024
Over the past two years, the world has seen major developments in Alzheimer’s disease treatment with the release of two new medications: Lecanamab, marketed as Leqembi, and Donanemab, marketed as Kisunla. These two treatments are the first of their kind to reduce the physical signs of Alzheimer’s disease in the brain and potentially slow down the progression of cognitive decline.
In the premiere episode of season 2 of the Age of Aging, we explore these new anti-amyloid therapies, what they are, and how they may change the lives of patients and caregivers.
We begin with the personal story of a couple who have participated in the Donanemab clinical trials over the past three years, sharing their firsthand experiences with the medication. Project Manager of this trial at the Penn Memory Center, Melissa Kelley, provides insights into the journey of these participants. Additionally, Dr. Sanjeev Vaishnavi offers an expert breakdown of anti-amyloid therapies, explaining what they are, how they work, and what they might mean for the future of Alzheimer’s disease treatment.
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Special thanks to Dan and Susan Henderson, Melissa Kelley, and Sanjeev Vaishnavi MD, PhD, for contributing to this episode.
The Age of Aging is a Penn Memory Center production hosted by Editorial Director Terrence Casey and Producer Jake Johnson, in partnership with the Penn FTD Center, the Penn Institute on Aging, and UPenn’s Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center. Contributors include Nicolette Calcavecchia, Dalia Elsaid, Marie Ingegneri, Jason Karlawish, Emily Largent, and Meg McCarthy.
The first four episodes mark the end of the first season of the Age of Aging. But don’t worry! The second season of the Age of Aging will resume two weeks from now. With a slightly different format, the stories of Season 2 will feature old and new voices from researchers, clinicians, and patients.
In this episode, hosts Terrence and Jake reflect on their favorite stories from season one, share feedback from listeners, and talk about the lessons learned along the way. They’ll also give you a sneak peek into season two, highlighting some of the stories and topics to look forward to in the coming months.
Resources
The Age of Aging is a Penn Memory Center production hosted by Editorial Director Terrence Casey and Producer Jake Johnson, in partnership with the Penn FTD Center, the Penn Institute on Aging, and UPenn’s Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center. Contributors include Nicolette Calcavecchia, Marie Ingegneri, Jason Karlawish, Emily Largent, and Meg McCarthy.
Diagnostic testing is at the heart of both the clinical care and research at the Penn Memory Center. Patients and research participants alike undergo various diagnostics such as PET scans, MRI scans, and cognitive tests. These tools help clinicians turn symptoms such as dementia into a diagnosis like Alzheimer’s disease. But what are these tests? And what can they actually tell us about aging?
On Episode 4 of the Age of Aging, we examine the full diagnostic experience.
Our first segment explores MRI and PET scans and what they tell us about the brain. Then, Dr. Lauren Massimo from the Penn Frontotemporal Degeneration Center introduces other dementia-causing diseases beyond Alzheimer’s. We then hear from one couple about their decisions to donate their brains after death to help further aging research. Finally, to end our first season, Dr. Massimo discusses the legacy of her late mentor, and a major figure in the world of aging research, Dr. Murray Grossman.
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Thank you to John Detre, MD, Lynn Cronomiz, Lauren Massimo, PhD, CRNP, FAAN, and Ed and Marcia Kung.
The Age of Aging is a Penn Memory Center production hosted by Editorial Director Terrence Casey and Producer Jake Johnson, in partnership with the Penn FTD Center, the Penn Institute on Aging, and UPenn’s Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center. Contributors include Nicolette Calcavecchia, Marie Ingegneri, Jason Karlawish, Cait Kearney, Emily Largent, Meg McCarthy, and Olivia Vozzella.
We often think of Alzheimer’s disease and other causes of dementia in terms of their impact on the individual living with the disease. Of course, this is with good reason: a person with an age-related neurological disease will experience difficulties in their day-to-day life incomprehensible to most others. However, for every patient, there is one person or many people caring for that person daily. Caregivers do the often unsung physical and emotional labor of dementia, making sure a person is safe, healthy, and living as comfortably as they can be.
In honor of this important role, today’s episode is dedicated to the caregivers.
In our first story, social worker Kate Lietz offers self-care tips for caregivers. Our second story comes from our friends at the podcast Bob’s Last Marathon, who spoke with the then-executive director of the Penn Memory Center Felicia Greenfield. Greenfield provides information on support groups and programs available to caregivers. Our final story in this episode will feature the voice and poems of Alexandra Martinez, whose collection of poems deals with her mother’s development of dementia due to Alzheimer’s.
Resources
Thank you to Kate Lietz, MSW, LSW, the folks at Bob’s Last Marathon, Felicia Greenfield MSW, LCSW, and Alexandra Martinez for contributing to this episode.
The Age of Aging is a Penn Memory Center production hosted by Editorial Director Terrence Casey and Producer Jake Johnson, in partnership with the Penn FTD Center, the Penn Institute on Aging, and UPenn’s Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center. Contributors include Nicolette Calcavecchia, Marie Ingegneri, Jason Karlawish, Cait Kearney, Emily Largent, Meg McCarthy, and Olivia Vozzella.
We all hope that we can age with as much independence, purpose, and well-being as possible in our later years. Unfortunately, aging is never so straightforward and we will all face our own unique challenges and complexities as we get older. So, with all this uncertainty, how do we get the most out of this later stage of life?
In our second episode of the Age of Aging, we explore stories about maintaining dignity, health, and a sense of meaning in our older years.
Our first story will look at a new model for care called “Supported Decision-Making,” which aims to give those with impairment greater autonomy for as long as possible. For our second, Dr. Claudia Kawas discusses her research on the oldest people in our population and what they can tell us about aging. Then, we will hear about the late Carl Duzen, who began creating art as his dementia from Alzheimer’s progressed. Our final story will cover Memory Cafés, a major program at Penn and beyond, which provides a safe space for art and community for those living with dementia.
Resources
Thank you to Emily Largent, PhD, RN, Claudia Kawas, MD, Carl Duzen, PhD, Susan Jewett, Louise Qualtrene, Marjorie Snelling, Meg Kalafsky, MHCI, Debbie Feldman, Joanne Beam for being a part of this episode. Thanks as well to the Quaker Notes for their wonderful singing.
The Age of Aging is a Penn Memory Center production hosted by Editorial Director Terrence Casey and Producer Jake Johnson, in partnership with the Penn FTD Center, the Penn Institute on Aging, and UPenn’s Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center. Contributors include Nicolette Calcavecchia, Marie Ingegneri, Jason Karlawish, Cait Kearney, Emily Largent, Meg McCarthy, and Olivia Vozzella.
Clinical advancements have made it easier than ever to learn your personal risk of developing age-related diseases such as Alzheimer’s. Through genetic testing or biomarker measurement, you can learn if you’re more likely than your peers to develop dementia as you age.
Do you want to know?
In our first episode of the Age of Aging, we explore exactly that question.
First, we’ll hear about the role of genetic counselors in guiding people through the process of genetic testing. In our second story, Dr. Emily Largent discusses how people react to learning their level of risk for Alzheimer’s. Then Dr. Shana Stites discusses the way stigma impacts those with cognitive impairment and those wanting to learn their risk.
Finally, we’ll hear an update on how the Penn Memory Center is rolling out the new prescription Alzheimer’s disease treatment, Leqembi.
Resources
Thank you to Laynie Dratch, SCM, CGC, Elisabeth Wood, MS, LCGC, Deia Schlosberg, Emily Largent, PhD, RN, Shana Stites, PsyD, MA, MS, and Jason Karlawish, MD, for being a part of this episode. Special thanks to Melissa Flamporis, Melissa Kelley, Dan Papa, and Alex Prusky for lending their voices to the SOKRATES participants.
The Age of Aging is a Penn Memory Center production hosted by Editorial Director Terrence Casey and Producer Jake Johnson, in partnership with the Penn FTD Center, the Penn Institute on Aging, and UPenn’s Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center. Contributors include Nicolette Calcavecchia, Marie Ingegneri, Jason Karlawish, Cait Kearney, Emily Largent, Meg McCarthy, and Olivia Vozzella.
A podcast about living well with an aging brain. Brought to you by the aging experts at the University of Pennsylvania.
Supported by the Penn Memory Center, Penn FTD Center, Penn Institute on Aging, and Penn Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center.
Episode 1 available Tuesday, 7/23
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