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.
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
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!
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...
Fascinating history of Freud's four months at the Salpêtrière Hospital in Paris, including cocaine and Tuesday soirées at the home of the master neurologist, Charcot.
www.arquivosdeneuropsiquiatria.org/article/over...
#medsky #freud #charcot #historyofmedicine
www.arquivosdeneuropsiquiatria.org/article/over...
#medsky #freud #charcot #historyofmedicine
January 4, 2026 at 3:14 PM
Fascinating history of Freud's four months at the Salpêtrière Hospital in Paris, including cocaine and Tuesday soirées at the home of the master neurologist, Charcot.
www.arquivosdeneuropsiquiatria.org/article/over...
#medsky #freud #charcot #historyofmedicine
www.arquivosdeneuropsiquiatria.org/article/over...
#medsky #freud #charcot #historyofmedicine
January 1, 2026 at 2:08 AM
Thank you to Pamela Stephenson Connolly of @theguardian.com for this non-ageist view of sexuality in older adults.
#medsky
www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle...
#medsky
www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle...
December 30, 2025 at 2:36 PM
Thank you to Pamela Stephenson Connolly of @theguardian.com for this non-ageist view of sexuality in older adults.
#medsky
www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle...
#medsky
www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle...
December 29, 2025 at 4:46 AM
The ALS Foundation has a great lay-language explanation of the SOD1 mutation and how tofersen works.
www.als.org/navigating-a...
www.als.org/navigating-a...
December 28, 2025 at 4:15 PM
The ALS Foundation has a great lay-language explanation of the SOD1 mutation and how tofersen works.
www.als.org/navigating-a...
www.als.org/navigating-a...
About 2% of people with #ALS have an SOD1 mutation.
Tofersen, an antisense oligonucleotide, improves outcomes in people w/ this mutation, including ⬇️disease progression & ⬆️survival. Some even had ⬆️strength.
A big step forward in treating this awful disease.
jamanetwork.com/journals/jam... #medsky
Tofersen, an antisense oligonucleotide, improves outcomes in people w/ this mutation, including ⬇️disease progression & ⬆️survival. Some even had ⬆️strength.
A big step forward in treating this awful disease.
jamanetwork.com/journals/jam... #medsky
December 28, 2025 at 4:15 PM
About 2% of people with #ALS have an SOD1 mutation.
Tofersen, an antisense oligonucleotide, improves outcomes in people w/ this mutation, including ⬇️disease progression & ⬆️survival. Some even had ⬆️strength.
A big step forward in treating this awful disease.
jamanetwork.com/journals/jam... #medsky
Tofersen, an antisense oligonucleotide, improves outcomes in people w/ this mutation, including ⬇️disease progression & ⬆️survival. Some even had ⬆️strength.
A big step forward in treating this awful disease.
jamanetwork.com/journals/jam... #medsky
1- Behavioral & psychological symptoms of #dementia #BPSD are common, distressing & sometimes dangerous. Pharm treatment (eg, antipsychotics) can have serious side effects.
This RCT suggests that #dronabinol may help ⬇️agitation in #Alzheimers ds (AD).
#medsky
www.ajgponline.org/article/S106...
This RCT suggests that #dronabinol may help ⬇️agitation in #Alzheimers ds (AD).
#medsky
www.ajgponline.org/article/S106...
December 23, 2025 at 2:06 PM
1- Behavioral & psychological symptoms of #dementia #BPSD are common, distressing & sometimes dangerous. Pharm treatment (eg, antipsychotics) can have serious side effects.
This RCT suggests that #dronabinol may help ⬇️agitation in #Alzheimers ds (AD).
#medsky
www.ajgponline.org/article/S106...
This RCT suggests that #dronabinol may help ⬇️agitation in #Alzheimers ds (AD).
#medsky
www.ajgponline.org/article/S106...
1- How will assessment of instrumental ADLs need to change to account for an increasingly digital world?
The authors here describe the process of developing a new scale to measure digital IADLs.
#medsky
www.thelancet.com/journals/ebi...
The authors here describe the process of developing a new scale to measure digital IADLs.
#medsky
www.thelancet.com/journals/ebi...
December 19, 2025 at 4:35 PM
1- How will assessment of instrumental ADLs need to change to account for an increasingly digital world?
The authors here describe the process of developing a new scale to measure digital IADLs.
#medsky
www.thelancet.com/journals/ebi...
The authors here describe the process of developing a new scale to measure digital IADLs.
#medsky
www.thelancet.com/journals/ebi...
Specialties with higher proportions of female trainees have lower average annual compensation rates.
Each 1% ⬆️ in the specialty-specific % of female trainees is associated with a $5,301 ⬇️ in average specialty-specific annual compensation.
#medsky
jgme.kglmeridian.com/view/journal...
Each 1% ⬆️ in the specialty-specific % of female trainees is associated with a $5,301 ⬇️ in average specialty-specific annual compensation.
#medsky
jgme.kglmeridian.com/view/journal...
December 18, 2025 at 12:22 AM
Specialties with higher proportions of female trainees have lower average annual compensation rates.
Each 1% ⬆️ in the specialty-specific % of female trainees is associated with a $5,301 ⬇️ in average specialty-specific annual compensation.
#medsky
jgme.kglmeridian.com/view/journal...
Each 1% ⬆️ in the specialty-specific % of female trainees is associated with a $5,301 ⬇️ in average specialty-specific annual compensation.
#medsky
jgme.kglmeridian.com/view/journal...
During the holidays, "sometimes joy & sadness exist right next to each other."
"A Charlie Brown Christmas" was groundbreaking in that "it gave permission to name those feelings."
A thoughtful analysis of this now-classic show that almost didn't air.
#medsky
psychiatryonline.org/doi/10.1176/...
"A Charlie Brown Christmas" was groundbreaking in that "it gave permission to name those feelings."
A thoughtful analysis of this now-classic show that almost didn't air.
#medsky
psychiatryonline.org/doi/10.1176/...
December 15, 2025 at 11:10 PM
During the holidays, "sometimes joy & sadness exist right next to each other."
"A Charlie Brown Christmas" was groundbreaking in that "it gave permission to name those feelings."
A thoughtful analysis of this now-classic show that almost didn't air.
#medsky
psychiatryonline.org/doi/10.1176/...
"A Charlie Brown Christmas" was groundbreaking in that "it gave permission to name those feelings."
A thoughtful analysis of this now-classic show that almost didn't air.
#medsky
psychiatryonline.org/doi/10.1176/...
Depictions of aging in art:
Rembrandt's realistic yet dignified & humane portraits of Jacob Trip & Margaretha de Geer, as seen at the @nationalgalleryuk.bsky.social, London.
#medicalhumanities
Rembrandt's realistic yet dignified & humane portraits of Jacob Trip & Margaretha de Geer, as seen at the @nationalgalleryuk.bsky.social, London.
#medicalhumanities
December 14, 2025 at 1:35 PM
Depictions of aging in art:
Rembrandt's realistic yet dignified & humane portraits of Jacob Trip & Margaretha de Geer, as seen at the @nationalgalleryuk.bsky.social, London.
#medicalhumanities
Rembrandt's realistic yet dignified & humane portraits of Jacob Trip & Margaretha de Geer, as seen at the @nationalgalleryuk.bsky.social, London.
#medicalhumanities
While deprescribing is a worthy goal, the Beers criteria & STOPP/START may overestimate the rate of inappropriate prescribing - and undervalue older adults' goals of care.
Important reading about providing comfort & aligning with values.
#medsky
agsjournals.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10....
Important reading about providing comfort & aligning with values.
#medsky
agsjournals.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10....
December 10, 2025 at 8:14 PM
While deprescribing is a worthy goal, the Beers criteria & STOPP/START may overestimate the rate of inappropriate prescribing - and undervalue older adults' goals of care.
Important reading about providing comfort & aligning with values.
#medsky
agsjournals.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10....
Important reading about providing comfort & aligning with values.
#medsky
agsjournals.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10....
The latest issue of Corpus Callosum, the art journal of the health sciences Ebling Library at @uwmadison.bsky.social is out, with many great examples of the medical humanities!
#medsky
ebling.library.wisc.edu/corpus-callo...
#medsky
ebling.library.wisc.edu/corpus-callo...
December 4, 2025 at 1:20 PM
The latest issue of Corpus Callosum, the art journal of the health sciences Ebling Library at @uwmadison.bsky.social is out, with many great examples of the medical humanities!
#medsky
ebling.library.wisc.edu/corpus-callo...
#medsky
ebling.library.wisc.edu/corpus-callo...
Eloquent editorial by Dr. Laura Roberts, editor-in-chief of Academic Medicine, welcoming the next generation of medical students to our profession.
"It is certain that we will need brilliant, compassionate, effortful souls to carry on the work of medicine."
#medsky
journals.lww.com/academicmedi...
"It is certain that we will need brilliant, compassionate, effortful souls to carry on the work of medicine."
#medsky
journals.lww.com/academicmedi...
December 3, 2025 at 3:53 AM
Eloquent editorial by Dr. Laura Roberts, editor-in-chief of Academic Medicine, welcoming the next generation of medical students to our profession.
"It is certain that we will need brilliant, compassionate, effortful souls to carry on the work of medicine."
#medsky
journals.lww.com/academicmedi...
"It is certain that we will need brilliant, compassionate, effortful souls to carry on the work of medicine."
#medsky
journals.lww.com/academicmedi...
Generationalism - "socially acceptable prejudice toward people of particular ages" - is a form of #ageism.
Great review debunking 10 myths about generations - and offering alternative perspectives.
#medsky
pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC...
Great review debunking 10 myths about generations - and offering alternative perspectives.
#medsky
pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC...
December 3, 2025 at 2:56 AM
Generationalism - "socially acceptable prejudice toward people of particular ages" - is a form of #ageism.
Great review debunking 10 myths about generations - and offering alternative perspectives.
#medsky
pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC...
Great review debunking 10 myths about generations - and offering alternative perspectives.
#medsky
pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC...
Many modifiable risk factors (eg, depression, hearing loss, social isolation) for #dementia have been identified.
It turns out that the amount of risk varies by income level, race & ethnicity - suggesting the need for focused public health interventions.
#medsky
www.neurology.org/doi/10.1212/...
It turns out that the amount of risk varies by income level, race & ethnicity - suggesting the need for focused public health interventions.
#medsky
www.neurology.org/doi/10.1212/...
December 2, 2025 at 4:30 PM
Many modifiable risk factors (eg, depression, hearing loss, social isolation) for #dementia have been identified.
It turns out that the amount of risk varies by income level, race & ethnicity - suggesting the need for focused public health interventions.
#medsky
www.neurology.org/doi/10.1212/...
It turns out that the amount of risk varies by income level, race & ethnicity - suggesting the need for focused public health interventions.
#medsky
www.neurology.org/doi/10.1212/...