Penn Memory Center

YouTube video by Penn Memory Center Canine Care: Can A Dog Help You Live Well Longer?

The latest episode of The Age of Aging is all about dogs! From companionship to caregiving support, we look at the many ways our four-legged friends shape healthy aging and dementia care.
Check it out now!

YouTube video by Penn Memory Center Canine Care: Can A Dog Help You Live Well Longer?

When her mom with Alzheimer’s stopped speaking, a therapy dog broke through the silence.
Inspired, caregiver Lynn Cronomiz trained her own dog to comfort others.

Hear her story on the latest Age of Aging podcast 🎧

Canine Care: Can A Dog Help You Live Well Longer? At the Penn Memory Center, we often recommend exercise, social engagement, and a solid support system to help people age well. Owning a dog is not on that list, but maybe it should be. For many older adults, dogs are more than companions. They’re motivators to stay active, reasons to connect with neighbors, and steady sources of comfort through life’s challenges. Emerging research suggests that that this age-old bond between humans and dogs may be one of our healthiest friendships. On this episode of The Age of Aging, we celebrate dogs, and how they might help us live long, healthy lives.   First, we hear from caregivers and dog owners about how their dogs help them care for their loved ones with dementia. Then, Professor Philip Tedeschi explains how humans’ co-evolution with dogs has made us perfect support system for one another. Lynn Cronomiz recounts how a powerful moment between a therapy dog and her mother with Alzheimer’s helped her process her mother’s passing. Finally, we explore humans’ inseparable connection with nature through the biophilia hypothesis.  Resources  • Dog ownership (https://ebusiness.avma.org/files/ProductDownloads/eco-pet-demographic-report-22-low-res.pdf) in the U.S. statistics – American Veterinary Medical Association  • “2025 Alzheimer’s Facts and Figures” (https://www.alz.org/getmedia/ef8f48f9-ad36-48ea-87f9-b74034635c1e/alzheimers-facts-and-figures.pdf) –  Alzheimer’s Association  • Listen to Season 1 Episode 4, “Diagnosing Dementia,” (https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/diagnosing-dementia/id1757439424?i=1000668135282) featuring Lynn Cronomiz  • Learn more about the Insitute for Human-Animal Connection (https://socialwork.du.edu/humananimalconnection)   • Visit KPETS, (https://kpets.org/) which Lynn Cronomiz does her therapy dog work with  • Learn more about the “biophilia hypothesis” (https://www.britannica.com/science/biophilia-hypothesis)   • Petfinder (https://www.petfinder.com/) to adopt a pet near you  • Visit the American Kennel Club website (https://www.akc.org/) for more information on dog breeds  Special thanks to Tom Casey, Miguel Centeno, Kathy Oldfield, Philip Tedeschi LCSW, MSSW, Lynn Cronomiz, and Carlo Siracusa DVM, PhD, DACVB, DECAWBM  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 Penn’s Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center. Contributors include Nicolette Calcavecchia, Dalia Elsaid, Jason Karlawish, Emily Largent, and Meaghan Sharpe.  The Age of Aging is made possible by generous support from the Michael Naidoff Communications Hub fund and our sponsor, the TIAA Institute. The TIAA Institute is a think tank committed to building knowledge that advances lifelong financial security and well-being while considering the intersections of health and wealth. Their cutting-edge research provides actionable financial and longevity insights that help individuals and employers navigate the complex journey of aging.

Dogs are more than companions. For many older adults, they are motivators to keep moving, steady sources of comfort, and even partners in dementia care.
Our latest episode celebrates this bond, with stories from caregivers and expert insights into why humans and dogs just get each other.

Beyond Slowing Cognitive Decline: Patient and Caregiver Perspectives on Alzheimer’s Treatment - The Neurology Hub This episode explores groundbreaking qualitative research from the University of Pennsylvania on patient and caregiver perspectives in Alzheimer disease. Catherine Auriemma, MD, MSHP, Perelman School ...

What do patients and caregivers really think about Alzheimer’s treatments?
Drs. Catherine Auriemma & Carolyn Chow share research that uncovers hopes, worries, and family goals in care.
Hear more on the Expert Voices in Dementia podcast.

YouTube video by Penn Memory Center Just Aging

Judge Lois Murphy brings the courtroom perspective to elder justice.
Hear her stories on guardianship, family dynamics, and protecting autonomy in our new episode of The Age of Aging.

Be part of Penn Memory Center community. From research updates to caregiving support and upcoming events, follow along and stay informed.
📍Find us on Instagram, Facebook, YouTube, LinkedIn, and Bluesky

Elder law is about preserving dignity and autonomy.
In our new episode of The Age of Aging, Charlie Sabatino shares lessons from 37 years with the ABA Commission on Law and Aging.
🎧 Tune in here: bit.ly/4mgE94s

The silent killer increases your risk of stroke and dementia. Here's how to control it New recommendations for early treatment of hypertension to prevent strokes, heart attacks and dementia come as an experimental medication is shown to lower blood pressure in hard-to-treat patients.

High blood pressure often shows no symptoms, but raises risk of stroke, heart disease, kidney damage, and dementia.
New American Heart Association guidelines: treat it early with diet & exercise.
“If you catch it early, you can gain many more years of healthy life,” says Penn’s Dr. Jordana Cohen.

Registration is now open for the 2025 Penn FTD Center’s Annual Caregiver Conference!

📆 Monday, November 3, 2025
⏱ 8am-4:30pm
📍Smilow Center for Translational Research

Click the link in our bio for the link to register for the conference!

We hope to see you in November!

YouTube video by Penn Memory Center Just Aging

What does justice look like for older adults?
Too often, seniors face stigma, exploitation, and little support.
Season 4 of The Age of Aging opens with 3 leading voices on elder justice, unpacking the legal, cultural, and systemic challenges and how to build a more just future.

Air pollution has been tied to Alzheimer’s disease. Here’s what you need to know ‘Air pollution doesn’t just increase the risk of dementia — it actually makes Alzheimer’s disease worse,’ Dr. Edward Lee says

Air pollution doesn’t just harm our lungs, it may also harm our brains.
New research led by Dr. Edward Lee, co-director of Penn Institute on Aging, finds people with Alzheimer’s living in high-pollution areas face faster memory loss, impaired judgment, and more daily challenges.

Who’s pushing the boundaries of Alzheimer’s research?
What breakthroughs are shaping the future?
Get the inside story in inSight, the Penn Memory Center’s biweekly newsletter.
Sign up for updates on science, care, and hope: bit.ly/PMC-InSight

This Moment in Alzheimer's: Taking Stock and Look Forward Welcome to a mid-year bonus episode of The Age of Aging! While the podcast takes a short break between seasons, we wanted to bring you a special update on the state of Alzheimer’s today. Penn Memory Center Co-Directors Dr. Jason Karlawish and Dr. David Wolk sat down with Terrence Casey to share their reflections from this year’s Alzheimer’s Association International Conference (AAIC), which they attended earlier this summer. They discuss their biggest takeaways, including the impact of NIH funding cuts, the rapid innovations that continue to shape the field, and what they’re keeping their eye on for next year’s conference in London.   We hope you enjoy and stay tuned for season 4 of The Age of Aging this fall! If you enjoy the show, leave us a review and share this episode with a friend. If you have any story suggestions for Season 4 and beyond, contact us at ageofaging@pennmedicine.upenn.edu (mailto:ageofaging@pennmedicine.upenn.edu) .   Resources  • Learn more about the Alzheimer’s Association and AAIC (https://aaic.alz.org/overview.asp)   Special thanks to Jason Karlawish, MD and David Wolk, MD.  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, Jason Karlawish, Emily Largent, and Meaghan Sharp.

“The POINTER study shows lifestyle choices like exercise, diet, and social connection can boost brain health.” – Dr. Jason Karlawish
Hear more takeaways from AAIC 2025 in our bonus Age of Aging episode.
▶️ Watch the full episode
✅ Subscribe today so you don’t miss Season 4 coming soon

In our bonus episode of The Age of Aging, Penn Memory Center Co-Director Dr. David Wolk reflects on the momentum in Alzheimer’s research, from blood biomarkers to new therapies that are already shaping care.
Listen here: bit.ly/3Jz6W6K

At #AAIC25, PMC Co-Director Dr. Jason Karlawish called out a paradox: “Spectacular progress… but a policy infrastructure that is unscientific and hostile.”

In a bonus episode of The Age of Aging, he reflects on funding cuts, biomarkers, and new therapies.
🎧 Listen here: bit.ly/3Jz6W6K

At #AAIC25, Dr. Christopher Brown shared early real-world results of lecanemab. Using personalized disease trajectories, his team found slowed decline after a year of treatment while also flagging nonresponders. Attendees called the data “remarkable.”

This Moment in Alzheimer's: Taking Stock and Look Forward Welcome to a mid-year bonus episode of The Age of Aging! While the podcast takes a short break between seasons, we wanted to bring you a special update on the state of Alzheimer’s today. Penn Memory Center Co-Directors Dr. Jason Karlawish and Dr. David Wolk sat down with Terrence Casey to share their reflections from this year’s Alzheimer’s Association International Conference (AAIC), which they attended earlier this summer. They discuss their biggest takeaways, including the impact of NIH funding cuts, the rapid innovations that continue to shape the field, and what they’re keeping their eye on for next year’s conference in London.   We hope you enjoy and stay tuned for season 4 of The Age of Aging this fall! If you enjoy the show, leave us a review and share this episode with a friend. If you have any story suggestions for Season 4 and beyond, contact us at ageofaging@pennmedicine.upenn.edu (mailto:ageofaging@pennmedicine.upenn.edu) .   Resources  • Learn more about the Alzheimer’s Association and AAIC (https://aaic.alz.org/overview.asp)   Special thanks to Jason Karlawish, MD and David Wolk, MD.  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, Jason Karlawish, Emily Largent, and Meaghan Sharp.

What will shape Alzheimer’s research in the year ahead?
In a bonus episode of The Age of Aging, Penn Memory Center’s Dr. Jason Karlawish & Dr. David Wolk share insights from AAIC 2025 on funding, biomarkers, & breakthroughs already changing care.

Take Her Home & Love Her - Penn Memory Center By Meghan McCarthy Editor’s Note: This article is part of the Disability and Dementia Series, an ongoing project highlighting the experiences of individuals with intellectual disabilities who are affe...

"Take her home and love her."
That was the advice Ellen Boyle’s parents received in 1965 when she was born with Down syndrome. It became the guiding light of her family’s journey, through decades of joy, advocacy, and eventually, Alzheimer’s.
Read more in our Disability and Dementia Series.

Be part of Penn Memory Center community. From research updates to caregiving support and upcoming events, follow along and stay informed.

📍Find us on Instagram, Facebook, YouTube, LinkedIn, and Bluesky

We May Be on the Cusp of Transformative Alzheimer's Progress What if your doctor could, when you turn 65, order a test that predicts whether you are going to develop Alzheimer’s dementia in your 70s or 80s? And what if – in case the test comes back

Could we stop Alzheimer’s before it starts?
New FDA-approved drugs like lecanemab and donanemab are giving researchers hope, not just to slow dementia, but to prevent it altogether. Clinical trials are underway to find out.
Read more on where Alzheimer’s science stands and what might be coming next.

Who’s pushing the boundaries of Alzheimer’s research?
What breakthroughs are shaping the future?

Get the inside story in inSight, the Penn Memory Center’s biweekly newsletter.
Sign up for updates on science, care, and hope: bit.ly/PMC-InSight

A good story can change how people see aging.
The Age of Aging podcast brings those stories to life, and ratings and reviews help them reach the people who need them most.

Take a minute to rate or review your favorite episode.
🔗 linktr.ee/The_Age_of_Aging

Communicating a Diagnosis of Mild Cognitive Impairment or Dementia This JAMA Insights explores strategies for effectively communicating a diagnosis of mild cognitive impairment or dementia to patients and their care partners.

How should clinicians talk about a diagnosis of MCI or dementia?
A new JAMA paper co-authored by PMC’s Dr. Jason Karlawish offers a framework grounded in empathy, shared decision-making, and support.

Memory Problems Today Tied to Leaded Gas Levels Half a Century Earlier Lead-exposed neurons show persistent vulnerabilities

Could leaded gas be linked to memory loss decades later?
A new study says yes: Older adults from high-lead areas (think leaded gasoline) are 20% more likely to report memory issues today.
Even low exposure left neurons vulnerable, researchers found.

The FDA recently approved a safer way to give donanemab, a treatment that targets amyloid in the brain. This new approach lowers the risk of serious side effects, especially for people with a genetic risk factor called APOE4.
Learn more: bit.ly/3Hkk6ni

In the Season 3 finale of The Age of Aging, Dr. Jason Karlawish, co-director of the Penn Memory Center, highlights the urgent need to better diagnose and understand Lewy Body Dementia (LBD).
🎙️ Full episode: bit.ly/4eY8L8K

Day 4 at #AAIC25 is packed with Penn-led insights on improving memory care, advancing AI in neuroimaging, and shaping inclusive research protocols.
Here’s what our team is sharing today:
Swipe through the full lineup. #PennatAAIC25

Day 3 at #AAIC25 shows how every piece of the puzzle matters, from students to established clinicians.
Katrina Bazemore breaks down how gene-variant strategies impact Alzheimer’s risk scores.
Dr. Sandhitsu Das explores how ARIA affects brain changes during anti-amyloid treatment. #PennatAAIC25

Congratulations to Dr. Christos Davatzikos, recipient of the 2025 de Leon Prize in Neuroimaging at #AAIC25!
One of 10 researchers honored for his work in Alzheimer’s science, he was recognized for a top paper in neuroimaging of neurodegenerative disease.
🔗 bit.ly/472qKZK
#PennatAAIC25

It’s day 2 of #AAIC25 and Penn researchers are leading conversations around biomarkers, brain imaging, digital tools, and data systems shaping the future of care and prevention.
#PennatAAIC25