Episode 29 Season 7: Baby Brains, Play Wild Dogs, and Vet Chat with Dr. Nancy Kay

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A newborn with higher pTau217 than an adult with Alzheimer’s—what would that mean for how we detect, define, and treat dementia? We dive into a startling new finding that reframes tau phosphorylation as a dynamic, reversible process rather than a one-way street. From the costs and tradeoffs of PET scans and CSF analysis to the promise of new blood tests, we lay out how clinicians navigate biomarkers and why context matters. If babies and even hibernating animals can toggle tau safely, we might be looking at a new horizon for Alzheimer’s research—one that prioritizes regulation over blunt suppression and respects the difference between signals and symptoms.

Then we turn to our dogs and a different kind of brain science: play that looks a lot like behavioral addiction. In a study of high-drive pets, some dogs pursued play so intensely they ignored food and struggled to settle once the toy disappeared. The kicker? It’s not the toy—it’s the play. We unpack how anticipation and reward loops shape behavior, why shepherds and terriers tend to lean in hard, and how to channel that energy with structured games, clear start/stop cues, and decompression routines that protect both joy and well-being.

Our guest, Dr. Nancy Kay—veterinarian and small animal internal medicine specialist—brings practical wisdom to family life with pets. She explains how to choose a dog that truly fits a home with kids, why supervision and respect rules beat wishful thinking, and how to steer clear of puppy mills and dog auctions with two simple safeguards: never buy from pet stores and never purchase sight unseen. We talk about her middle-grade novel, “A Dog Named 647,” her advocacy guide “Speaking for Spot,” and the unforgettable cases that come with a life in medicine—from swallowed treasures to high-stakes rescues. It’s science that matters, compassion that lasts, and stories that stick.

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