What it’s Like to Take an Alzheimer’s Test

Summary

Chasing Life: What It’s Like to Take an Alzheimer’s Test

Podcast Information:

• Title: Chasing Life
• Host/Author: CNN
• Episode: What It’s Like to Take an Alzheimer’s Test
• Release Date: November 15, 2024

Dr. Sanjay Gupta embarks on a deeply personal journey in this episode of Chasing Life, exploring the landscape of Alzheimer’s disease testing, prevention, and the transformative impact of lifestyle changes. Through poignant narratives, expert insights, and his own experiences, Gupta delves into how individuals can potentially reverse or slow the progression of Alzheimer’s, offering hope and actionable strategies for listeners.

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Introduction: A Personal Quest Against Alzheimer’s

The episode opens with Dr. Gupta reflecting on his previous exploration of patients who exemplify hope in combating Alzheimer’s. These individuals have implemented lifestyle changes that not only slow the disease's progression but, in some cases, reverse its effects.

[00:03] Host: "Last week, I introduced you to patients around the country who symbolized hope in the fight against Alzheimer's disease. They showed us a series of lifestyle changes that were able to slow and in some cases even reverse the course of their disease."

Gupta, motivated by a family history of Alzheimer's, decides to assess his own risk, setting the stage for a deeply personal and revealing narrative.

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Mike Carver’s Journey: From Diagnosis to Transformation

Early Diagnosis and Initial Struggles

Mike Carver, a 71-year-old from Berkeley, California, becomes the focal point of Gupta's exploration. Diagnosed with early-onset Alzheimer’s in 2017, Carver possessed the APOE4 gene, increasing his risk tenfold.

[00:17] Mike Carver: "I mean, how many people five years into dementia get to go outside and go for a walk by themselves every day? Not very many."

Carver recounts the initial diagnosis experience, highlighting the lack of actionable guidance provided by healthcare professionals.

[01:37] Mike Carver: "Not really. Just kind of go home and, you know, start putting things away."

Joining Dr. Dean Ornish’s Clinical Trial

Desperate for answers, Carver’s wife discovers Dr. Dean Ornish’s clinical trial, mirroring the experience of Chi Chi Zirbe, another participant. Carver describes the pivotal moment when he noticed a halt in his repetitive questioning, indicating cognitive improvement.

[02:20] Mike Carver: "It was probably only maybe three or four months into the study that I realized Mike wasn't asking repetitive questions the way he had been. And those stopped, and those have kind of stayed away."

Despite initial dietary challenges, transitioning to a vegan diet becomes a cornerstone of his strategy to combat Alzheimer’s.

[02:48] Mike Carver: "Yep. I'm from Kansas City. There's me there."

Remarkable Improvements and Long-Term Impact

After 40 weeks in the Ornish study, Carver’s cognitive tests showed improvement, astonishing even his neurologist.

[03:25] Mike Carver: "Our neurologist said, honestly, he has never had a patient actually show an improvement on a score. He was pretty amazed about that and actually it was kind of shocking."

Seven years post-diagnosis, Carver and his wife maintain significant health improvements solely through lifestyle changes, without new medications or therapies.

[04:20] Mike Carver: "I know that there's going to be other bad things happen down the road and I'm working hard to make that longer."

Reflections on early intervention underscore the importance of educating others about lifestyle impacts on health.

[04:41] Mike Carver: "If we can find ways to educate people to help them understand what they're putting inside their bodies, how they're responding to life, there's hope."

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The Poynter Study: Emphasizing Diversity in Alzheimer’s Research

Gupta introduces the Poynter study, an Alzheimer’s prevention initiative involving 2,000 participants across five American cities, focusing on older adults from diverse backgrounds.

[05:05] Mike Carver: "Our study is a two year long intervention in older adults. The goal of the study is to prevent cognitive decline."

Addressing Diversity and Representation

Carver emphasizes the critical need for diverse representation in Alzheimer’s studies to ensure findings are applicable to varied populations.

[05:47] Mike Carver: "In many of the studies that have been done over the years, there's no African American representation. I was saying to myself, how can the data be collected correct for a person like me if they're not people like me?"

Study Parameters and Personal Transformation

Participants, including Carver, undergo significant lifestyle transformations, adopting plant-based diets and increasing physical activity.

[05:30] Host: "These individuals are at higher risk for cognitive decline and dementia. We wanted to make sure that they were adequately represented in our study."

Carver shares his personal transformation from a fast-food enthusiast to someone committed to a healthier lifestyle to support his longevity and family.

[05:30] Mike Carver: "Before I started a Poynter study, I was a fast foodaholic. I would say I was allergic to exercise."

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Dr. Richard Isaacson and the Frontiers of Preventive Neurology

Advancements in Predictive Testing

Dr. Richard Isaacson, a renowned neurologist, pioneers a comprehensive approach to Alzheimer’s testing, integrating blood biomarkers and personalized assessments.

[10:20] Dr. Richard Isaacson: "This is what I do, yeah."

Case Study: Simon Nichols

Simon Nichols, a participant in Isaacson’s study, showcases the potential of lifestyle interventions. Initially at high genetic risk, his biomarkers improved significantly over a year of disciplined lifestyle changes.

[12:37] Mike Carver: "Do not talk or move during the test."

[12:40] Dr. Richard Isaacson: "He came to Join our study in January 27, 2023. We would treat his cholesterol. We would treat his sleep. We would change his nutrition. We kept checking everything out."

Simon’s brain volumes not only stabilized but showed growth, a promising indicator of reversing Alzheimer’s markers.

[13:31] Host: "So not only has he not lost more volume, he's actually grown."

Host’s Personal Testing Experience

Gupta undergoes his own Alzheimer’s risk assessment, revealing no increased genetic risk and no elevated blood markers for Alzheimer’s, providing personal relief and actionable recommendations.

[15:09] Host: "I am a walking modifiable risk factor."

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Preventive Strategies: Practical Steps to Enhance Brain Health

Lifestyle Modifications

Dr. Isaacson outlines actionable strategies to reduce Alzheimer’s risk, grounded in the FINGER (Finnish Geriatric Intervention Study to Prevent Cognitive Impairment and Disability) framework.

[08:29] Mike Carver: "We had five fingers, easy to remember, healthy phalanx diet... cognitive activity... social activity and even relaxation... take care of all vascular metabolic risk factors."

Innovative Tools and Future Directions

The integration of technology, such as continuous glucose monitors and grip strength assessments, provides accessible ways to monitor and improve cognitive health.

[16:05] Dr. Richard Isaacson: "Take a brisk walk, possibly with a weighted vest. Wear something called a continuous glucose monitor... Check your grip strength."

Scalability and Future Research

While individualized interventions show promise, scaling these strategies for broader public health implementation remains a challenge. Ongoing research aims to develop user-friendly software and at-home testing to facilitate widespread adoption.

[17:18] Dr. Richard Isaacson: "Can't do this at scale just yet, but using software and at home testing, this is the way to get people off the road to Alzheimer's disease."

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Listener Engagement: Answering Jesse’s Question on Alzheimer’s Screening

When to Get Tested

Gupta addresses a listener’s inquiry about the necessity and timing of Alzheimer’s screening for those with a family history, advocating for early testing given the evolving landscape of treatment and prevention.

[14:15] Host: "Between new medications and, frankly, great evidence around the benefit of lifestyle changes alone, there is a lot you can do."

Identifying Symptoms

Differentiating between normal age-related memory lapses and Alzheimer’s symptoms is crucial. Gupta emphasizes seeking medical advice if cognitive impairments interfere with daily life.

[15:09] Dr. Richard Isaacson: "Four out of every 10 cases of dementia may be preventable if that person does everything right."

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Conclusion: Embracing a Proactive Approach to Alzheimer’s Prevention

Dr. Gupta wraps up the episode by reinforcing the power of everyday decisions in maintaining brain health. From diet and exercise to social engagement and cognitive activities, small changes accumulate, leading to significant health benefits.

[17:48] Host: "All those little decisions we make every day... can, can, and it will add up to better brain health."

Listeners are encouraged to explore more resources on CNN Health to stay informed about the latest scientific advancements and practical strategies to lower Alzheimer’s risk.

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Key Takeaways:

1. Early Intervention Matters: Engaging in lifestyle changes soon after diagnosis can slow or even reverse Alzheimer’s progression.
2. Diverse Research is Crucial: Ensuring diverse participant representation in studies enhances the applicability of findings across different populations.
3. Personalized Prevention Strategies: Comprehensive assessments, including genetic testing and biomarker analysis, can guide individualized prevention plans.
4. Scalable Solutions Needed: Developing accessible tools and interventions is essential for widespread Alzheimer’s prevention.
5. Empowerment Through Knowledge: Understanding risk factors and implementing proactive measures can significantly impact long-term brain health.

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Notable Quotes:

• Mike Carver [01:48]: "Early onset can be very, very fast decline for some people."
• Dr. Richard Isaacson [15:13]: "Four out of every 10 cases of dementia may be preventable if that person does everything right."
• Host [17:48]: "All those little decisions we make every day... can, can, and it will add up to better brain health."

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For more insights and detailed discussions on Alzheimer’s prevention and healthy living, visit CNN Health.

Transcript

[Host/Presenter]

Last week, I introduced you to patients around the country who symbolized hope in the fight against Alzheimer's disease. They showed us a series of lifestyle changes that were able to slow and in some cases even reverse the course of their disease.

[Mike Carver]

I mean, how many people five years into dementia get to go outside and go for a walk by themselves every day? Not very many.

[Host/Presenter]

I have to tell you that spending time with these patients for my documentary really started to make me think about my own brain because I also have a family history of Alzheimer's disease. So, admittedly, with a little bit of trepidation, I decided to learn about my own risk. It was one of the most personal and revealing experiences I have ever gone through. Listen to what I found in the Last Alzheimer's patient, part 212-33-411. This is 71 year old Mike Carver. Today he's at his rocksteady boxing class in Berkeley, California. While Mike has no known family history of Alzheimer's, he was a carrier of both copies of the APOE4 gene. That's the genotype that can increase a person's risk at least tenfold. And in 2017, he was diagnosed with early onset Alzheimer's. All right, time, Mike. They tell you that this is the diagnosis, and then do they tell you at all what to do about it?

[Mike Carver]

Not really. Just kind of go home and, you know, start putting things away.

[Host/Presenter]

Really?

[Mike Carver]

Yeah.

[Host/Presenter]

That must have been really hard.

[Mike Carver]

If there's something you want to do, do it in the next couple of years because we don't know how fast this will move.

[Host/Presenter]

Wow.

[Mike Carver]

Early onset can be very, very fast decline for some people.

[Host/Presenter]

Desperate for answers, Mike's wife went to the web. She searched for support groups, studies to join, anything to help slow this down. Welcome, everybody. Eventually, they found Dr. Dean Ornish and his clinical trial. That's the same one Chi Chi Zirbe has been a part of.

[Mike Carver]

It was probably only maybe three or four months into the study that I realized Mike wasn't asking repetitive questions the way he had been. And those stopped, and those have kind of stayed away.

[Host/Presenter]

You were a meat and potatoes kind of.

[Mike Carver]

Yeah.

[Host/Presenter]

They're asking you to do a vegan diet.

[Mike Carver]

Yep. I'm from Kansas City. There's me there.

[Host/Presenter]

How hard was that for you?

[Mike Carver]

It was pretty difficult to start, but then I just had to turn around and say, this is the best I can do to stay alive, and I want to live with my wife as long as I can. Bend at the hip joint to stretch the spine forward.

[Host/Presenter]

Dr. Ornish reports that after 40 weeks. Mike's cognitive tests improved.

[Mike Carver]

Our neurologist said, honestly, he has never had a patient actually show an improvement on a score. He was pretty amazed about that and actually it was kind of shocking. That was kind of when he was like at his best.

[Host/Presenter]

They were in the Ornish study during COVID and they had to move the four hour, three time a week group sessions to zoom. They enjoy their support group so much that they still meet weekly all these years later. Throughout the study, they both lost weight. They improved their cholesterol numbers and their resting heart rate. It's been seven years now since the diagnosis of Alzheimer's.

[Mike Carver]

Apples, grapes.

[Host/Presenter]

And five since they took on the lifestyle changes. No new medications, no new therapies, just a change in their habits.

[Mike Carver]

I know that there's going to be other bad things happen down the road and I'm working hard to make that longer.

[Host/Presenter]

The Carvers confess that if they knew then what they know now, they would have changed their lifestyle much earlier.

[Mike Carver]

If we can find ways to educate people to help them understand what they're putting inside their bodies, how they're responding to life, there's hope. There's something we can do for our kids, for our grandkids to make a difference.

[Host/Presenter]

And what if that hope could be brought to the masses?

[Mike Carver]

What have you learned from the Poynter study? Eat vegetables and fruit.

[Host/Presenter]

2000 patients across five American cities.

[Mike Carver]

Our study is a two year long intervention in older adults. The goal of the study is to prevent cognitive decline.

[Host/Presenter]

An Alzheimer's prevention study without any drugs, designed to work for as many Americans as possible.

[Mike Carver]

Black, African American, Hispanic, Native American. These individuals are at higher risk for cognitive decline and dementia. We wanted to make sure that they were adequately represented in our study.

[Host/Presenter]

Overall, Alzheimer's research often gets criticized for its lack of diversity in study participants.

[Mike Carver]

In many of the studies that have been done over the years, there's no African American representation. I was saying to myself, how can the data be collected correct for a person like me if they're not people like me? That's in the study. If you participated in Poynter and are considered an alum, can you please raise your hand? So in US Poynter, you had to be sedentary, not a regular exerciser. You had to not already be eating a healthy diet. Well, before I started a Poynter study, I was a fast foodaholic. I would say I was allergic to exercise. It causes me to sweat, it causes me to turn red, and it causes me to have shortness of breath. You had to have Some mild cardiovascular disease. So like mild hypertension, mild high cholesterol, mild high blood sugar. But also we were looking for people who had memory problems in their family. My father was diagnosed. My dad couldn't function. Sometimes he would just go into rages. My favorite aunt has dementia today. My mom died that first year of not knowing anything of taking the Christmas gifts to her that year and she couldn't even remember how to open them. My maternal grandmother back in the 50s, they weren't saying Alzheimer's, but that's what it was. Her memory was gone for years. Drug was the focus always to treat the disease. Lifestyle, exercise. Yeah, yeah, yeah, it's beneficial. Everybody should be doing it. But we're not going to study it as a prevention strategy. That's not the case anymore. Now lifestyle risk modification has a place at the table.

[Host/Presenter]

She has a family history, you said?

[Mike Carver]

Yes.

[Host/Presenter]

That place at the table was earned in large part by this world renowned scientist, Dr. Mia Kivipelto, who pioneered the large scale clinical lifestyle trial. Does the medical community believe that lifestyle changes alone can slow or Even halt dementia?

[Mike Carver]

40% of dementia is linked to modifiable risk factors. Now we have at least this 40% chance of doing something.

[Host/Presenter]

She published her landmark finger research from Finland in 2013 and it completely changed the field.

[Mike Carver]

The finger study was revolutionizing. Reducing risk over two years could actually help people preserve their cognition.

[Host/Presenter]

That work is the backbone of Dr. Ornish's approach as well as the US Poynter study. And the intervention is being tested and adapted to more than 60 countries in the worldwide fingers network.

[Mike Carver]

We had five fingers, easy to remember, healthy phalanx diet. Very important for the brain health physical activity. One of the most powerful medicines we have for the brain health. Third one is the cognitive activity. We need to use our brains. We have the concept brain plasticity. Fourth finger is the social activity and even relaxation. And the fifth one is taking care of all vascular metabolic risk factors like blood pressure, cholesterol, diabetes and obesity. The finger study was conducted in Finland. The Finns are very different than Americans. Could we deploy a risk reduction strategy and actually see similar results in the United States with a diverse population? What would you say about dropping all fried foods? I would say yes, drop all fried foods.

[Host/Presenter]

All the participants we spoke to had seen positive results so far.

[Mike Carver]

We can make these changes together.

[Host/Presenter]

Significant weight loss, improved numbers for cholesterol, A1C and blood pressure. And they all say they're feeling better and they're thinking more clearly.

[Mike Carver]

I hope you're feeling better.

[Host/Presenter]

Oh yeah, full Study results are expected by summer 2025. Boca Raton, Florida, a place where about 1 in 4 residents is age 65 or older. No surprise then that this region of South Florida also happens to have the highest percentage of people living with Alzheimer's. I've come to figure out whether I'm at risk for later dementia in life. This is what you do?

[Dr. Richard Isaacson]

This is what I do, yeah.

[Host/Presenter]

Dr. Richard Isaacson is a world renowned neurologist and Alzheimer's expert.

[Dr. Richard Isaacson]

Looks like a lot of blood. It's not that much.

[Host/Presenter]

Looks like a lot. Okay. It's a really. You're not gonna find many places like this around the country. A place that practices preventative neurology, highly personalized, and most importantly for me, predictive. So Holly here has graciously stuck me with a needle, is now drawing my blood for all sorts of different things for basic cardiac, metabolic, sort of risk factors, but also many of these purple tubes here as part of a research study to see what some of these biomarkers for Alzheimer's are for me and what they might mean.

[Mike Carver]

Try to concentrate as you look at them now. That's correct.

[Host/Presenter]

That wasn't quite right. There is a lengthy cognitive test. Place your heels on.

[Dr. Richard Isaacson]

We're looking at your body composition, your muscle mass, your body fat, where the body fat is.

[Mike Carver]

Starting your in body test.

[Host/Presenter]

And an exhaustive intake of my medical, personal and family history. My grandmother, his mom and my dad both had diabetes. Now, my test results are going to take a couple of weeks to come back, but while I was there with Dr. Isaacson, he did tell me about this patient right around my same age, Simon Nichols. Now, to be clear, he was never diagnosed with Alzheimer's, but he does carry the strongest known genetic risks. My mother passed away from Alzheimer's, so I was very worried. I have a three year old son and an eight year old son. It's really important for me as I get older to try and be there for them in the future. Post Covid, I started noticing some memory losses. I mean, it could have been from a number of reasons. Tell me more about that. Like what were you experiencing? When I started to have this sort of memory loss, I was thinking, oh my God, what's going on? What's happening? Regular exercise helps. Simon had already been seeing Dr. Arthur Agatston, who was famous for the south beach diet. He was seeing him for his heart health.

[Dr. Richard Isaacson]

Okay, so.

[Host/Presenter]

And Dr. Agatston referred him to Dr. Isaacson for his Alzheimer's concerns.

[Mike Carver]

Do not talk or move during the test.

[Dr. Richard Isaacson]

He came to Join our study in January 27, 2023. We would treat his cholesterol. We would treat his sleep. We would change his nutrition. We kept checking everything out. Basically, over the year, he went from positive amyloid and positive tau to negative amyloid tau.

[Host/Presenter]

Simon had fewer telltale signs of Alzheimer's disease, closer to normal levels of amyloid and tau in his blood, which corresponds with less amyloid and tau in his brain.

[Dr. Richard Isaacson]

Today, we're looking at his brain volumes.

[Host/Presenter]

As we reviewed Simon's studies, there was something else that Dr. Isaacson's team found stunning.

[Dr. Richard Isaacson]

There were six regions of his brain that were below the 25th percentile in 2022. It's now 2024, and there's only three regions of his brain that are below the 25th percentile.

[Host/Presenter]

So not only has he not lost more volume, he's actually grown.

[Dr. Richard Isaacson]

This is early days, right? One case, this guy did everything right. We normalized his risk factors. We improved his amyloid and tau quantifiably. Verifiably. His brain grew. His belly size got smaller, his brain got larger.

[Host/Presenter]

But here is the critical question. What did these astonishing test results really mean for Simon himself and his daily life? Did you notice a change in your cognition? Yes. I still have memory issues. Might be normal.

[Dr. Richard Isaacson]

Okay.

[Host/Presenter]

Because looking at my MRIs or my MRIs and my blood tests, it seems I haven't got Alzheimer's right. So hopefully I'm okay. I know you're a health span guy, not necessarily a lifespan guy, but how long do you want to live? I'm 136 years old. That's a good number. I'd love to see my son get married and have his own kids. After the break, I finally get the results of my own Alzheimer's test. It's been two weeks after my own testing for Alzheimer's risk, it was time for the results. And I have to admit, I was kind of nervous based on some of.

[Dr. Richard Isaacson]

The findings that we have. In some ways, you're a walking modifiable risk factor for Alzheimer's disease.

[Host/Presenter]

I am a walking modifiable risk factor.

[Dr. Richard Isaacson]

Four out of every 10 cases of dementia may be preventable if that person does everything right. It's my belief, based on all the assessments we did, you are absolutely in that 4 out of 10.

[Host/Presenter]

So that's a relief. My genes at least don't carry an increased risk. And there is no signs of elevated plaque or tau in my blood. But there are also no guarantees for me or really for anyone. Weight measurement is complete.

[Dr. Richard Isaacson]

Age is the number one Risk factor. Every year you get older, you're at higher risk of Alzheimer's disease.

[Host/Presenter]

Dr. Isaacson and his team spend hours analyzing and explaining my test results. Some recommendations obvious. Go plant based as much as possible. Get exercise. But I was also told more surprising things.

[Dr. Richard Isaacson]

Take a brisk walk, possibly with a weighted vest. Wear something called a continuous glucose monitor, and you can track the fluctuations in blood sugar.

[Host/Presenter]

And pay attention to my grip strength.

[Dr. Richard Isaacson]

Grip strength is a terrific, inexpensive, quick screening test for cognitive decline.

[Host/Presenter]

Preventing problems down the road. Well, that is health care instead of sick career. But no question it comes with a cost.

[Mike Carver]

If an individual wants to seek that out, they certainly should. We at the Alzheimer's association just don't have that evidence to be able to go out to public health agencies and say, hey, this is something that works. Let's do it for all. It's just not for the masses yet. But that's what we want, right?

[Host/Presenter]

But Dr. Isaacson and his team, they're working on fixing that as well. This is the kind of cognitive test that you could do at home. You don't have to come to a place like this. Funded by the National Institutes of Health, they are now testing software designed to reduce the risk of getting Alzheimer's.

[Dr. Richard Isaacson]

The software does a risk assessment, does a memory test. It tells you what to do in the future. We're going to add blood biomarkers.

[Host/Presenter]

All of this, all this testing you could do in your own home, do your own blood test, get these own measures and come up with a personalized plan.

[Dr. Richard Isaacson]

Can't do this at scale just yet, but using software and at home testing, this is the way to get people off the road to Alzheimer's disease.

[Host/Presenter]

And today getting off that road for Alzheimer's and dementia is so much safe, simpler than we previously thought. All those little decisions we make every day to move more, to eat healthier, read that label, learn a new skill, spend time with loved ones. They sound so easy. But the evidence is clear. It can, can, and it will add up to better brain health. To learn more about the latest science and also practical ways you can lower your risk for Alzheimer's, go to CNN.com health for more information. Up next, I'm going to answer a listener question for our segment on Call. Today, we hear from Jesse, who asks, should people who have a family history of Alzheimer's get the screening test that you were given for the documentary and if so, at what age? Now, Jesse, this is a great question and I am a big fan of information. You know, I think for a long time people did not want to get tested because there wasn't much you could do with the information. But that is changing now. Between new medications and, frankly, great evidence around the benefit of lifestyle changes alone, there is a lot you can do. So there is a blood test that looks for a protein called phosphorylated tau, or P tau that is being used to screen for Alzheimer's with pretty high accuracy even before symptoms begin to appear. The test is out there, but it's not widely available for clinical use. But that's probably going to change over the next several months. If the question is when should you begin to worry? You need to Remember Jesse. Most of us experience mental glitches occasionally. Most memory problems that we think of is not dementia. It's rather inattention. It's not that you're forgetting something, it's that you didn't take the time to remember. You have to keep in mind that remembering something is an intentional act. You have to want to remember it. That really helps store it in your brain. Dementia conditions, including Alzheimer's, impair your ability to remember, yes, but also to think and make decisions that interfere with your everyday activities. That is not a normal part of aging. A person with Alzheimer's may more routinely forget things like the name of a close family member versus the name of an acquaintance. Or they may forget the name of a familiar object like a watch or or even what it's for versus not finding the right word. Every now and then there's a real difference. And if you're not sure, it's probably time to see your doctor. Jesse, thanks so much for your question. Chasing Life is a production of CNN Audio. Our podcast is produced by Aaron Mathewson, Jennifer Lai, Grace Walker and Jesse Remedios. Andrea Cain is our medical writer. Our senior producer is Dan Bloom. Amanda Seeley is our showrunner. Dan Dazzula is our technical director. And the executive producer of CNN Audio is Steve Lichti, with support from Jamis Andrest, John Dionora, Hayley Thomas, Alex Manasseri, Robert Mathers, Lainey Steinhardt, Nicole Pesaru and Lisa Namorow. Special thanks to Ben Tinker and Nadia Kanang of CNN Health and Katie Hinman. Hey prime members, are you tired of ads interfering with your favorite podcasts? Good news. With Amazon Music, you have access to the largest catalog of ad free top podcasts included with your prime membership. To start listening, download the Amazon Music app for free or go to Amazon.com ADFreePodcasts that's Amazon.com ADFreeP Podcasts to catch up on the latest episodes without the ads.