Could Managing Four Common Health Conditions Slow Cognitive Decline from Alzheimer’s?

Alzheimer’s disease isn’t always the only health condition a person faces, so how does treating other diseases impact the progression of Alzheimer’s? Researchers at the University of Arizona focused on four common health conditions – type two diabetes, hypertension, inflammation and dyslipidemia – which are known to increase the risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease, and set out to investigate whether those diagnosed with Alzheimer’s who received treatments for these four conditions also saw a delay in cognitive decline. Dr. Barb Bendlin joins the podcast to break down the findings from this research, as well as discuss the impact of personalized prevention strategies and combination therapies. Guest: Barbara Bendlin, PhD, professor, Division of Geriatrics and Gerontology, University of Wisconsin (UW) School of Medicine and Public Health, deputy director, UW Center for Health Disparities Research (CHDR) Show Notes Read the study, “Combination therapy targeting Alzheimer's disease risk factors is associated with a significant delay in Alzheimer's disease–related cognitive decline,” published by Alzheimer's & Dementia: Translational Research & Clinical Interventions on the Alzheimer’s Association’s website.  Read more about the study in the article “Four Key Pieces Managing Common Health Conditions Slows Alzheimer's Progression,” published on the National Alzheimer’s Coordinating Center’s website. Learn more about Dr. Bendlin from her profile on the UW Center for Health Disparities Research website. Connect with us Find transcripts and more at our website. Email Dementia Matters: [email protected] 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. Learn about and pre-order Dr. Chin’s book, When Memory Fades: What to Expect at Every Stage, from Early Signs to Full Support for Alzheimer's and Dementia, out June 2, 2026.