From dating apps to dementia: new podcast 'Oh Ja Joh?!' brings Rotterdam research to light

With the podcast 'Oh Ja Joh?!', we dive into topics that concern Rotterdammers every other week. From confused individuals to the housing market, and from dating apps to dementia. We speak with scientists from Erasmus University Rotterdam about their research, their insights, and above all: why it matters to the city and its residents.

The first episode covers a topic that affects more and more Rotterdammers: dementia. Our guest is Erasmus MC epidemiologist Arfan Ikram. His ERGO study has been going on for over 35 years in the Rotterdam neighbourhood 'Ommoord' and has already yielded a great deal of knowledge about the disease. In the podcast, we talk about what happens in the brain when someone has dementia, why our city plays such an important role in dementia research, and why he wants to expand his field of research to Rotterdam-Zuid.

Please note: the podcast is in Dutch.

Listen to the podcast on Spotify

Will there ever be a miracle cure for dementia? | Oh Ja Joh?!
Is dementia preventable? How does scientific research help combat the disease? Epidemiologist Arfan Ikran (Erasmus MC) answers these questions.
- Monday 11 May 2026
- 13 minutes
Monday 11 May 2026
13 minutes
Will there ever be a miracle cure for dementia? | Oh Ja Joh?!
Almost everyone knows someone with dementia. That is not surprising, as 1 in 5 people will develop dementia in their life. Is this preventable? How does scientific research help combat the disease? And will a miracle cure ever hit the market? Epidemiologist Arfan Ikram (Erasmus MC) has been researching the disease for years and answers these questions in the first episode of Oh Ja Joh?! the podcast.
Everything about the ERGO study.
Want to know more about other studies? Check out our online magazine Erasmus Extra.
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More information

Want to know more about the podcast? Have a look at Erasmus Extra.

Born and raised in Rotterdam, cum laude graduate, and leading researcher in the field of dementia: Prof. Dr. Arfan Ikram will speak at the Rotterdamlezing 2026.