Smartphones and technology are ubiquitous in nearly every aspect of our lives, but is technology helping or hurting us when it comes to memory and cognition? Dr. Jared Benge, neuropsychologist and associate professor from the University of Texas at Austin, joins the podcast to discuss his research into how technology and smartphone use impacts the brain, how digital technology can be used to help individuals with cognitive impairment and what his findings mean for the future.

Guest: Jared Benge, PhD, ABPP, clinical neuropsychologist, Comprehensive Memory Center, UT Health Austin, associate professor, Dell Medical School, University of Texas at Austin

Read Dr. Benge’s article, “A meta-analysis of technology use and cognitive aging,” on the journal Nature’s website.

Learn more about Dr. Benge at his profile on UT Health Austin’s website.

Read Dr. Benge’s study on the use of smartphone technology to improve prospective memory functioning at the Journal of American Geriatrics Society.

Dementia Matters is nominated for the 2025 Podcast Awards in the Science and Medicine and People’s Choice categories. Register and vote online before July 31 to support our podcast.

Find transcripts and more at our website.

Email Dementia Matters: dementiamatters@medicine.wisc.edu

Follow us on Facebook and Twitter.

Subscribe to the Wisconsin Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center’s e-newsletter.

Enjoy Dementia Matters? Consider making a gift to the Dementia Matters fund through the UW Initiative to End Alzheimer’s. All donations go toward outreach and production.

What is the current impact of Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias on the United States? To best understand its significance in 2025, we can turn to the Alzheimer’s Association’s Alzheimer’s Disease Facts and Figures report, a comprehensive resource that highlights the effect of Alzheimer’s on individuals, care partners, health care professionals and more. Dr. Heather Snyder from the Alzheimer’s Association joins the podcast to discuss key trends and findings from this year’s report, including insights from their special report on Americans’ attitudes toward early detection and new monoclonal antibody treatments.

Guest: Heather Snyder, PhD, senior vice president, medical & scientific relations, Alzheimer’s Association

Read the 2025 Alzheimer’s Disease Facts and Figures report and special report from the Alzheimer’s Association on their website.

Download and print the 2025 Alzheimer’s Disease Facts and Figures infographic on their website.

Read about Dr. Snyder on her profile on the Alzheimer’s Association website.

Find transcripts and more at our website.

Email Dementia Matters: dementiamatters@medicine.wisc.edu

Follow us on Facebook and Twitter.

Subscribe to the Wisconsin Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center’s e-newsletter.

Enjoy Dementia Matters? Consider making a gift to the Dementia Matters fund through the UW Initiative to End Alzheimer’s. All donations go toward outreach and production.

How much does it cost to live with dementia in the United States? The hidden costs are often overlooked, but these numbers and trends are important to understand in order to inform the public and effectively allocate resources. Dr. Julie Zissimopoulos leads The United States Cost of Dementia Project, where they recently published a report on the total cost of dementia in 2025. Dr. Zissimopoulos joins the podcast to discuss the report’s findings and analyze what this means for patients and families, as well as for public policy, in the future.

Guest: Julie Zissimopoulos, PhD, professor, Sol Price School of Public Policy, University of Southern California (USC), co-lead, United States Cost of Dementia Project, co-director, Aging and Cognition Research Program, USC Schaeffer Center, director, Alzheimer’s Disease and Alzheimer’s Disease Related Dementias Resource Center for Minority Aging Research (USC AD/ADRDRCMAR), Center for Advancing Sociodemographic and Economic Study of Alzheimer’s Disease and Related Dementias (CeAES-ADRD)

Learn more about Dr. Julie Zissimopoulos at her profile on the USC Schaeffer Center’s website.

Read “The Cost of Dementia in 2025” report on the USC Schaeffer Institute for Public Policy & Government Service website.

Learn more about the United States Cost of Dementia Project on their website.

Read about new Wisconsin legislation that seeks to help those with Alzheimer’s and their caregivers in the article, “How a bill in the Wisconsin Legislature seeks to help Alzheimer's caregivers” by the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel.

Find transcripts and more at our website.

Email Dementia Matters: dementiamatters@medicine.wisc.edu

Follow us on Facebook and Twitter.

Subscribe to the Wisconsin Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center’s e-newsletter.

Enjoy Dementia Matters? Consider making a gift to the Dementia Matters fund through the UW Initiative to End Alzheimer’s. All donations go toward outreach and production.