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Kellyann Niotis is a neurologist specializing in risk reduction strategies for the prevention or slowing of neurodegenerative disorders. In this episode, Kellyann provides an overview of the various diseases associated with neurodegeneration, including, but not limited to, Alzheimer\u2019s disease, Lewy body dementia, and Parkinson\u2019s disease. She goes in-depth on Parkinson\u2019s disease, explaining its pathology, role in movement capacity, very early warning signs, and the role of anxiety and sleep. Similarly, she provides an in-depth discussion of Alzheimer\u2019s disease, including the latest in screening, genetics, and tools/strategies for prevention. She ties the discussion together by explaining the differences and commonalities among the various diseases of neurodegeneration and the potential causative triggers, and she highlights the importance of early screening, cognitive testing, and taking the proper steps to lowering the risk of disease.

We discuss:

• Kellyann\u2019s background, training, and interest in the brain [2:30];
• A primer on neurodegeneration: different types, prevalences, interventions, and more [5:30];
• Overview of Parkinson\u2019s disease and neuromuscular disorders including ALS [16:00];
• Parkinson\u2019s disease: early signs, diagnosis, genetics, causative triggers, and more [17:30];
• Interventions to delay or avoid Parkinson\u2019s disease, and the role of sleep and anxiety [31:15];
• The challenge of standardizing early interventions for Parkinson\u2019s disease without a clear biomarker [39:45];
• Alzheimer\u2019s disease: pathophysiology and the role of the amyloid and tau proteins [47:45];
• Can PET scans be informative for diagnosing Alzheimer\u2019s disease? [51:15];
• Tau accumulation in the brain, tau scans, serum biomarkers, and possible early detection of Alzheimer\u2019s disease pathology [57:00];
• Cognitive testing explained [1:03:30];
• The challenge of identifying the stage of the disease and why drugs have not shown efficacy [1:14:45];
• The association between hearing loss and dementia [1:17:45];
• The relationship between oral health and neurodegenerative diseases [1:21:30];
• Genetic risk for Alzheimer\u2019s disease [1:24:45];
• What one\u2019s mitochondrial haplotype can reveal about their risk of neurodegenerative disease [1:32:30];
• The positive impact of exercise on brain health [1:37:00];
• High blood pressure as a risk factor [1:40:00];
• Why women are disproportionately affected by Alzheimer\u2019s disease [1:44:15];
• Final takeaways: the future of understanding neurodegenerative disease and further reducing risk [1:46:45]; and
• More.

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