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DEAR DR. MICHELLE, I heard that Eli Lilly has a new treatment for Alzheimer’s disease. Is this true? It is, indeed, an exciting time in Alzheimer’s research! On May 3, 2023, Lilly released to the press that their drug donanemab was effective in slowing decline in treated patients. Their phase 3 study showed significant differences […]

DEAR DR. MICHELLE, Is it true that hearing loss causes dementia? Some research has shown a relationship between hearing loss and cognitive impairment. When a person cannot hear, the part of the brain that processes sound is not being stimulated the way it otherwise would be. Reduced stimulation to auditory centers in the brain and […]

DEAR DR. MICHELLE, How important is sleep to cognitive functioning? I’m up every night and have brain fog all day. Sleep is very important in maintaining cognitive functioning, especially as we age. A more obvious connection is that when we’re tired and groggy, we’re not at our best; our minds are less sharp. We may […]

DEAR DR. MICHELLE, Why isn’t my doctor spending more time on my cognitive concerns? I’ve brought it up numerous times but he never seems to address it. Doctors spend 10-15 minutes on average with a patient during each visit. This is hardly enough time to address all issues or even to hear all of their […]

DEAR DR. MICHELLE, My mom has Alzheimer’s and has no interest in doing anything other than watching TV all day. Any suggestions for ways to get her to be more active? As Alzheimer’s progresses, it can be more challenging for people to engage in their usual activities or new ones. This could be for many […]

Dear Dr. Michelle, Does exercise prevent memory loss? Regular exercise can have a positive effect on memory as well as other thinking skills, such as attention and decision-making. Whether you’ve been a lifetime exerciser, or are just starting to get out for daily walks, your brain stands to benefit from a cardiovascular fitness routine. Exercise […]