Ep 103: Chipping Away at the Crisis - A New Era in Alzheimer's Diagnosis and Treatment with Dr. Jason Karlawish

BrainStorm wants to hear from you! Send us a text.Alzheimer's disease is no longer just a memory problem — it's a biological, cultural, and ethical challenge reshaping how we think about aging, identity, and medicine. In this episode of Brainstorm by UsAgainstAlzheimers, host Meryl Comer sits down with Dr. Jason Karlawish, professor of medicine, medical ethics, health policy, and neurology at the University of Pennsylvania. They explore how Alzheimer's evolved from a rare condition into a full-blown public health crisis. Dr. Karlawish unpacks the science behind biomarker testing and early detection, the promise and complexity of new anti-amyloid treatments, and why so many physicians remain reluctant to diagnose cognitive decline at all. From health equity gaps that leave Latino and African American patients chronically underserved, to the ethical weight of disclosing an Alzheimer's diagnosis to someone still in the middle of their career, Dr. Karlawish brings both scientific precision and moral seriousness to one of medicine's most urgent conversations. It's a candid, wide-ranging discussion about what it truly means to confront a disease that strikes at the heart of who we are. You don’t want to miss this episode!Produced by Susan QuirkSupport the show