Art Walaszek, MD
@walaszek.medsky.social
I am a medical educator, geriatric psychiatrist, public health researcher & book author in Madison, Wisconsin. The views expressed on this account are mine alone.
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Art Walaszek, MD
@walaszek.medsky.social
· Nov 26
Good evening! Here's a photo from my trip to Machu Picchu this summer, one of my favorite trips of all time.
Families facing a loved one’s cognitive decline need help planning for the future, including support to nurture their interpersonal relationships.
My latest thoughts on how best to support caregivers and their loved ones with #dementia ...
closler.org/lifelong-lea... #medsky @closler.bsky.social
My latest thoughts on how best to support caregivers and their loved ones with #dementia ...
closler.org/lifelong-lea... #medsky @closler.bsky.social
February 17, 2026 at 9:01 PM
Families facing a loved one’s cognitive decline need help planning for the future, including support to nurture their interpersonal relationships.
My latest thoughts on how best to support caregivers and their loved ones with #dementia ...
closler.org/lifelong-lea... #medsky @closler.bsky.social
My latest thoughts on how best to support caregivers and their loved ones with #dementia ...
closler.org/lifelong-lea... #medsky @closler.bsky.social
Families facing a loved one’s cognitive decline need help planning for the future, including support to nurture their interpersonal relationships.
My latest thoughts on how best to support family caregivers and their loved ones with #dementia ...
closler.org/lifelong-lea... #medsky
My latest thoughts on how best to support family caregivers and their loved ones with #dementia ...
closler.org/lifelong-lea... #medsky
Supporting all during cognitive decline - CLOSLER
By Art Walaszek, MD, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine & Public Health I take care of many patients who are experiencing cognitive decline that could be a harbinger of dementia. Usually, th...
closler.org
February 17, 2026 at 8:58 PM
Families facing a loved one’s cognitive decline need help planning for the future, including support to nurture their interpersonal relationships.
My latest thoughts on how best to support family caregivers and their loved ones with #dementia ...
closler.org/lifelong-lea... #medsky
My latest thoughts on how best to support family caregivers and their loved ones with #dementia ...
closler.org/lifelong-lea... #medsky
I appreciate this perspective, difficult to maintain in challenging times:
Be architects of a better system, not arsonists of the current system.
www.insidehighered.com/views/2022/0...
Be architects of a better system, not arsonists of the current system.
www.insidehighered.com/views/2022/0...
Teach students to be builders, not critics (opinion)
Eboo Patel calls on college educators to teach students how to build a better social order, not merely criticize the existing one.
www.insidehighered.com
February 17, 2026 at 3:09 PM
I appreciate this perspective, difficult to maintain in challenging times:
Be architects of a better system, not arsonists of the current system.
www.insidehighered.com/views/2022/0...
Be architects of a better system, not arsonists of the current system.
www.insidehighered.com/views/2022/0...
"Offering solutions that reject science and public health pushes us backwards into a past of shorter lives and more variety in lethal illness."
#medsky
#medsky
Professor @sarasilverstein.bsky.social is someone to whom I listen on issues of health and history. This essay helps us to situate the present American health drama in the history of health care, and thereby to see much more clearly what we face.
snyder.substack.com/p/consumptiv...
snyder.substack.com/p/consumptiv...
Consumptive Capitalism
On MAHA and Expensive Suffering -- A Guest Post by Sara Silverstein
snyder.substack.com
February 16, 2026 at 2:40 AM
"Offering solutions that reject science and public health pushes us backwards into a past of shorter lives and more variety in lethal illness."
#medsky
#medsky
I've heard patients & others raise concerns about possible negative cognitive effects of statins.
Good news:
A meta-analysis of 19 trials comparing statins w/ placebo (median f/u 4.5 years) did not find ⬆️risk of cognitive/memory impairment or #dementia.
www.thelancet.com/journals/lan... #medsky
Good news:
A meta-analysis of 19 trials comparing statins w/ placebo (median f/u 4.5 years) did not find ⬆️risk of cognitive/memory impairment or #dementia.
www.thelancet.com/journals/lan... #medsky
February 16, 2026 at 12:13 AM
I've heard patients & others raise concerns about possible negative cognitive effects of statins.
Good news:
A meta-analysis of 19 trials comparing statins w/ placebo (median f/u 4.5 years) did not find ⬆️risk of cognitive/memory impairment or #dementia.
www.thelancet.com/journals/lan... #medsky
Good news:
A meta-analysis of 19 trials comparing statins w/ placebo (median f/u 4.5 years) did not find ⬆️risk of cognitive/memory impairment or #dementia.
www.thelancet.com/journals/lan... #medsky
1 - Using "provider" to describe physicians hasn't bothered me much but the authors of this American College of Physicians policy paper argue convincingly otherwise.
Why?
- "Provider" lumps together various types of clinicians, institutions & insurers.
www.acpjournals.org/doi/10.7326/... #medsky
Why?
- "Provider" lumps together various types of clinicians, institutions & insurers.
www.acpjournals.org/doi/10.7326/... #medsky
February 15, 2026 at 10:36 PM
1 - Using "provider" to describe physicians hasn't bothered me much but the authors of this American College of Physicians policy paper argue convincingly otherwise.
Why?
- "Provider" lumps together various types of clinicians, institutions & insurers.
www.acpjournals.org/doi/10.7326/... #medsky
Why?
- "Provider" lumps together various types of clinicians, institutions & insurers.
www.acpjournals.org/doi/10.7326/... #medsky
Nutrition is a very hot topic right now. What are the facts about the relationship between nutrition and mental health?
Learn this and more in Michael Compton's new and timely, "Food, Nutrition & Mental Health" from @apapsychiatric.bsky.social Publishing.
www.appi.org/Products/Gen... #medsky
Learn this and more in Michael Compton's new and timely, "Food, Nutrition & Mental Health" from @apapsychiatric.bsky.social Publishing.
www.appi.org/Products/Gen... #medsky
February 12, 2026 at 8:47 PM
Nutrition is a very hot topic right now. What are the facts about the relationship between nutrition and mental health?
Learn this and more in Michael Compton's new and timely, "Food, Nutrition & Mental Health" from @apapsychiatric.bsky.social Publishing.
www.appi.org/Products/Gen... #medsky
Learn this and more in Michael Compton's new and timely, "Food, Nutrition & Mental Health" from @apapsychiatric.bsky.social Publishing.
www.appi.org/Products/Gen... #medsky
Reposted by Art Walaszek, MD
‼️ There are 9 lessons contained in Carl Sagan's baloney detection kit. Even in 2026 it is essential for helping guide people down the path of critical thinking, and inoculating themselves against grifters, frauds, and charlatans.
bigthink.com/starts-with-... 👇
bigthink.com/starts-with-... 👇
Carl Sagan's 9 timeless lessons for detecting baloney
Carl Sagan's baloney detection kit taught us how to separate good science from the work of charlatans. In 2026, that matters more than ever.
bigthink.com
February 12, 2026 at 4:12 PM
‼️ There are 9 lessons contained in Carl Sagan's baloney detection kit. Even in 2026 it is essential for helping guide people down the path of critical thinking, and inoculating themselves against grifters, frauds, and charlatans.
bigthink.com/starts-with-... 👇
bigthink.com/starts-with-... 👇
My colleagues at the @wai-alzheimers.bsky.social Regional Milwaukee Office are once again hosting the wonderful "Breaking the Silence" event, addressing #dementia in high-risk populations.
April 17, 2026, 8:30-noon, in-person in Milwaukee, WI
Learn more: wai.wisc.edu/breakthesile... #medsky
April 17, 2026, 8:30-noon, in-person in Milwaukee, WI
Learn more: wai.wisc.edu/breakthesile... #medsky
February 11, 2026 at 4:28 PM
My colleagues at the @wai-alzheimers.bsky.social Regional Milwaukee Office are once again hosting the wonderful "Breaking the Silence" event, addressing #dementia in high-risk populations.
April 17, 2026, 8:30-noon, in-person in Milwaukee, WI
Learn more: wai.wisc.edu/breakthesile... #medsky
April 17, 2026, 8:30-noon, in-person in Milwaukee, WI
Learn more: wai.wisc.edu/breakthesile... #medsky
Reposted by Art Walaszek, MD
Congratulations to the computer science researchers & alums awarded patents in January: Gurindar Sohi, Ru Wang, Shyam Murthy & Yuhang Zhao!
Tell us your idea: warf.org/disclose
Tell us your idea: warf.org/disclose
February 10, 2026 at 6:11 PM
Congratulations to the computer science researchers & alums awarded patents in January: Gurindar Sohi, Ru Wang, Shyam Murthy & Yuhang Zhao!
Tell us your idea: warf.org/disclose
Tell us your idea: warf.org/disclose
On #Caturday, here's a small study (N=50) that found use of a robot cat companion is associated with increased positive affect in older adults.
Could be an option in settings where live pets are not allowed.
www.ajgponline.org/article/S106... #medsky
Could be an option in settings where live pets are not allowed.
www.ajgponline.org/article/S106... #medsky
February 8, 2026 at 12:56 AM
On #Caturday, here's a small study (N=50) that found use of a robot cat companion is associated with increased positive affect in older adults.
Could be an option in settings where live pets are not allowed.
www.ajgponline.org/article/S106... #medsky
Could be an option in settings where live pets are not allowed.
www.ajgponline.org/article/S106... #medsky
Fascinating preliminary report about the relationship between sleep and anxiety in older adults:
focal cerebral atrophy -> ⬇️slow wave activity during non-REM sleep -> ⬆️anxiety
Highlighting how important high-quality sleep is for mood regulation.
www.nature.com/articles/s44... #medsky
focal cerebral atrophy -> ⬇️slow wave activity during non-REM sleep -> ⬆️anxiety
Highlighting how important high-quality sleep is for mood regulation.
www.nature.com/articles/s44... #medsky
Impaired slow-wave sleep accounts for brain aging-related increases in anxiety - Communications Psychology
Aging is not just a matter of cognitive decline but of mental health decline. This study reveals that in healthy older adults, anxiety is scaled with impaired slow-wave activity during sleep, accompan...
www.nature.com
February 7, 2026 at 5:26 PM
Fascinating preliminary report about the relationship between sleep and anxiety in older adults:
focal cerebral atrophy -> ⬇️slow wave activity during non-REM sleep -> ⬆️anxiety
Highlighting how important high-quality sleep is for mood regulation.
www.nature.com/articles/s44... #medsky
focal cerebral atrophy -> ⬇️slow wave activity during non-REM sleep -> ⬆️anxiety
Highlighting how important high-quality sleep is for mood regulation.
www.nature.com/articles/s44... #medsky
There's nothing at all funny about sundowning, except when used in a parody of "Sunset Boulevard."
Sundown Boulevard
Dementia Don thought his wife was his ace in the hole, but after a lost weekend at the box office, it looks like she wasn't ready for her close-up. Even if it feels like we're in Stalag 17, I like to think that we still are big—it's the president who got small.
by Maureen Dowd
Dementia Don thought his wife was his ace in the hole, but after a lost weekend at the box office, it looks like she wasn't ready for her close-up. Even if it feels like we're in Stalag 17, I like to think that we still are big—it's the president who got small.
by Maureen Dowd
January 30, 2026 at 3:31 AM
There's nothing at all funny about sundowning, except when used in a parody of "Sunset Boulevard."
The Office for Faculty Affairs & Development at the University of Wisconsin School of Medicine & Public Health is hiring!
We are looking for a program manager to help our faculty development efforts related to faculty performance & outcomes.
Feel free to share!
jobs.wisc.edu/jobs/faculty...
We are looking for a program manager to help our faculty development efforts related to faculty performance & outcomes.
Feel free to share!
jobs.wisc.edu/jobs/faculty...
Faculty Performance Manager - Madison, Wisconsin, United States
Current Employees: If you are currently employed at any of the Universities of Wisconsin, log in to Workday to apply through the internal application process.Job Category:Academic StaffEmployment Type...
jobs.wisc.edu
January 28, 2026 at 8:34 PM
The Office for Faculty Affairs & Development at the University of Wisconsin School of Medicine & Public Health is hiring!
We are looking for a program manager to help our faculty development efforts related to faculty performance & outcomes.
Feel free to share!
jobs.wisc.edu/jobs/faculty...
We are looking for a program manager to help our faculty development efforts related to faculty performance & outcomes.
Feel free to share!
jobs.wisc.edu/jobs/faculty...
Dear @theguardian.com,
There is no evidence that these products are effective for the treatment of seasonal affective disorder, except for bright light therapy.
People suffering from depression should consult a healthcare provider.
www.theguardian.com/thefilter-us... #medsky
There is no evidence that these products are effective for the treatment of seasonal affective disorder, except for bright light therapy.
People suffering from depression should consult a healthcare provider.
www.theguardian.com/thefilter-us... #medsky
The 10 best US products to battle seasonal affective disorder, according to experts
Therapy lights, sunrise alarm clocks and infrared saunas can all help shake the winter blues as the weather drops
www.theguardian.com
January 26, 2026 at 12:31 AM
Dear @theguardian.com,
There is no evidence that these products are effective for the treatment of seasonal affective disorder, except for bright light therapy.
People suffering from depression should consult a healthcare provider.
www.theguardian.com/thefilter-us... #medsky
There is no evidence that these products are effective for the treatment of seasonal affective disorder, except for bright light therapy.
People suffering from depression should consult a healthcare provider.
www.theguardian.com/thefilter-us... #medsky
Bartleby the bookstore cat - seen at E. Shaver Booksellers, Savannah, Georgia. #HappyCaturday!
January 24, 2026 at 2:15 PM
Bartleby the bookstore cat - seen at E. Shaver Booksellers, Savannah, Georgia. #HappyCaturday!
1- The Aging & Disability Resource Center of Dane County (WI) is working to raise awareness of #Alzheimers disease & related #dementia in the Hmong community.
Nyob Zoo TV produced the film, "My Mother 'Kuv Nam': A Hmong Story on Dementia":
www.youtube.com/watch?v=KaY9... #medsky
Nyob Zoo TV produced the film, "My Mother 'Kuv Nam': A Hmong Story on Dementia":
www.youtube.com/watch?v=KaY9... #medsky
My Mother ‘Kuv Nam’: A Hmong Story on Dementia
YouTube video by Dane County Human Services
www.youtube.com
January 17, 2026 at 2:06 AM
1- The Aging & Disability Resource Center of Dane County (WI) is working to raise awareness of #Alzheimers disease & related #dementia in the Hmong community.
Nyob Zoo TV produced the film, "My Mother 'Kuv Nam': A Hmong Story on Dementia":
www.youtube.com/watch?v=KaY9... #medsky
Nyob Zoo TV produced the film, "My Mother 'Kuv Nam': A Hmong Story on Dementia":
www.youtube.com/watch?v=KaY9... #medsky
People with intellectual & developmental disabilities are at higher risk of #dementia but face significant barriers to care.
The authors propose a public health framework to address this intersection of #disability & brain health.
academic.oup.com/gerontologis... #medsky
The authors propose a public health framework to address this intersection of #disability & brain health.
academic.oup.com/gerontologis... #medsky
January 11, 2026 at 3:08 PM
People with intellectual & developmental disabilities are at higher risk of #dementia but face significant barriers to care.
The authors propose a public health framework to address this intersection of #disability & brain health.
academic.oup.com/gerontologis... #medsky
The authors propose a public health framework to address this intersection of #disability & brain health.
academic.oup.com/gerontologis... #medsky
We usually think of APO e4 as a risk factor for #Alzheimers disease and e2 as a protective factor.
The authors of this analysis provocatively argue that both e4 and e3, the most common variant, should be considered risk factors - and targets for intervention.
www.nature.com/articles/s44... #medsky
The authors of this analysis provocatively argue that both e4 and e3, the most common variant, should be considered risk factors - and targets for intervention.
www.nature.com/articles/s44... #medsky
January 9, 2026 at 7:39 PM
We usually think of APO e4 as a risk factor for #Alzheimers disease and e2 as a protective factor.
The authors of this analysis provocatively argue that both e4 and e3, the most common variant, should be considered risk factors - and targets for intervention.
www.nature.com/articles/s44... #medsky
The authors of this analysis provocatively argue that both e4 and e3, the most common variant, should be considered risk factors - and targets for intervention.
www.nature.com/articles/s44... #medsky
The VA Home-Based Primary Care program has been delivering age-friendly care to medically complex veterans since 1970.
It’s resulted in ⬇️ED visits/hospitalizations, better end-of-life care, ⬇️cost & served as a model for other programs.
agsjournals.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.... #medsky
It’s resulted in ⬇️ED visits/hospitalizations, better end-of-life care, ⬇️cost & served as a model for other programs.
agsjournals.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.... #medsky
January 7, 2026 at 12:36 PM
The VA Home-Based Primary Care program has been delivering age-friendly care to medically complex veterans since 1970.
It’s resulted in ⬇️ED visits/hospitalizations, better end-of-life care, ⬇️cost & served as a model for other programs.
agsjournals.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.... #medsky
It’s resulted in ⬇️ED visits/hospitalizations, better end-of-life care, ⬇️cost & served as a model for other programs.
agsjournals.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.... #medsky
What do actors June Squibb & Anne Reid and singer Marilyn Maye have in common?
They are all performing in New York - and they are all in their 90s.
www.npr.org/2026/01/05/n...
They are all performing in New York - and they are all in their 90s.
www.npr.org/2026/01/05/n...
January 6, 2026 at 1:11 PM
What do actors June Squibb & Anne Reid and singer Marilyn Maye have in common?
They are all performing in New York - and they are all in their 90s.
www.npr.org/2026/01/05/n...
They are all performing in New York - and they are all in their 90s.
www.npr.org/2026/01/05/n...
Great new resource from @wai-alzheimers.bsky.social on "Successful Approaches to Serving the Deaf and Hard of Hearing Community," including risk of #dementia.
Helpful information for older adults, family members & anyone involved in the care of older adults.
#medsky
wai.wisc.edu/wdrn/wdrn-re...
Helpful information for older adults, family members & anyone involved in the care of older adults.
#medsky
wai.wisc.edu/wdrn/wdrn-re...
January 5, 2026 at 2:56 PM
Great new resource from @wai-alzheimers.bsky.social on "Successful Approaches to Serving the Deaf and Hard of Hearing Community," including risk of #dementia.
Helpful information for older adults, family members & anyone involved in the care of older adults.
#medsky
wai.wisc.edu/wdrn/wdrn-re...
Helpful information for older adults, family members & anyone involved in the care of older adults.
#medsky
wai.wisc.edu/wdrn/wdrn-re...