Kansas City, Kan- Dr. Steve Stites discusses the potential for new blood tests to simplify an Alzheimer's diagnosis, currently requiring memory tests, brain scans, and spinal taps.

Drs. Jeff Burns and Russell Swerdlow explain that these tests offer a less invasive alternative. They also address the complexities of defining Alzheimer's, the potential of new drugs, and the importance of healthy lifestyle choices.

The conversation highlights the University of Kansas Alzheimer's Disease Research Center role in the Accurate Diagnosis Project, aiming to improve diagnostic methods and integrate them into primary care.

Dr. Steve Stites, Chief Medical Officer, The University of Kansas Health System; Executive Vice Chancellor, The University of Kansas Medical Center

• He raises concerns about the accuracy of blood tests and the potential for false positives, prompting a discussion on the challenges of defining Alzheimer's disease.

Dr. Jeff Burns, Memory Care Specialist, The University of Kansas Health System; Co-Director, KU Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center

• Dr. Jeff Burns explains the comprehensive evaluation process for diagnosing Alzheimer's, including clinical history, memory tests, and imaging to rule out other conditions.
• He also explains the Accurate Diagnosis Project, which involves collaboration among seven institutions to develop a comprehensive approach to diagnosing Alzheimer's. KU Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center part of global study deploying blood biomarker testing for dementia diagnoses

Dr. Russell Swerdlow, Memory Care Specialist, The University of Kansas Health System; Co-Director, KU Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center

• Dr. Russell Swerdlow discusses the potential benefits of blood tests compared to lumbar punctures and PET scans, emphasizing their ease and non-invasive nature.
• He also provides a historical context of Alzheimer's disease, mentioning Dr. Alzheimer's initial observations and the subsequent discovery of beta-amyloid and tau proteins.

Infectious Disease Updates

Dr. Dana Hawkinson, Medical Director, Infection Prevention & Control, The University of Kansas Health System

• Dana Hawkinson reassures the public about the low risk of tuberculosis transmission and the effectiveness of current public health efforts.

Thursday, Feb 6 at 8 a.m. is the next All Things Heart. Heart disease is the leading cause of death for women. So why is so much of the research around it centered around men? This show focuses on the decades of research on women simply isn’t there.

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