Cognitive Health & Neurodegenerative Disease

Patients often tell me they would like to live as long as they reasonably can, provided they do not suffer cognitive decline. More often than not, people care less about how long they live and more about how well they live, specifically as it pertains to their brain.

Anyone who has seen a relative suffer from a neurodegenerative disease – such as dementia or Alzheimer’s disease – can no doubt relate to the debilitating nature of these conditions. Unlike heart disease and cancer, which kill directly, the fatal impact of neurodegenerative diseases is often indirect.

While much is still unknown, data suggest that there are indeed things that can be done to ward off one’s risk of developing a neurodegenerative disease. Aside from genetics, the next most common risk factor we see is vascular disease.

The adage “what’s good for the heart is good for the brain” rings true here. Meaning, the factors that increase your risk for atherosclerosis – such as high blood pressure, smoking, and elevated apoB – also increase the risk of dementia.

Below is a collection of past articles and podcasts exploring such tactics. My hope is that this content can serve as helpful resources to dive deeper into this topic as well as support your ongoing longevity journey.

Risks

Free Article

Shingles and Brain Health: An Emerging Link or Healthy User Bias?

Risks

Guest Episode

CRISPR and the future of gene editing

Ep. #323 with Feng Zhang

Exercise

Free Article

High-intensity interval training and cognitive function in older adults: promising but limited findings

Nutrition

AMA

Protein’s impact on appetite and weight management, and uric acid's link to disease and how to manage levels

Ep. #313 (AMA #62)

Longevity

Podcast Episode

Longevity 101

Ep. #311

Risks

Free Article

Don’t underestimate the importance of oral health

Risks

Free Article

Does hormone replacement therapy impact dementia risk?

Nutrition

AMA

Preventing cognitive decline, nutrition myths, lowering blood glucose, apoB, and blood pressure, and more

Ep. #306 (AMA #60)

Risks

Free Article

Is Alzheimer’s disease unavoidable for individuals with a high-risk APOE genotype?

Risks

Guest Episode

A breakthrough in Alzheimer’s disease: the promising potential of klotho for brain health, cognitive decline, and as a therapeutic tool for Alzheimer's disease

Ep. #303 with Dena B. Dubal M.D., Ph.D.

Medications & supplements

Podcast Episode

Special episode: Peter on exercise, fasting, nutrition, stem cells, geroprotective drugs, and more — promising interventions or just noise?

Ep. #300

Exercise

Free Article

Aerobic exercise for Parkinson’s disease

Risks

Free Article

Targeting senescent cells for cognitive health

Nutrition

Free Article

Why is it so difficult to determine how nutrition impacts dementia risk?

Risks

Free Article

The MIND diet on trial: can diet choices impact cognitive health?

Risks

Free Article

How does APOE status impact the relationship between obesity and dementia risk?

Risks

Free Article

Is the frequency of menopausal symptoms an early barometer for later-in-life brain health?

Risks

Free Article

Improving memory with transcranial neuromodulation

Risks

Free Article

Can treating hearing loss improve cognitive trajectories and reduce dementia risk?

Risks

Guest Episode

Concussions and head trauma: symptoms, treatment, and recovery

Ep. #263 with Michael "Micky" Collins, Ph.D.

Exercise

AMA

Heart rate recovery, strength training, rucking, kidney function, and brain health

Ep. #262 (AMA #49)

Risks

AMA

Blood pressure—how to measure, manage, and treat high blood pressure

Ep. #258 (AMA #48)

Risks

Guest Episode

Cognitive decline, neurodegeneration, and head injuries: mitigation and prevention strategies, supplements, and more

Ep. #257 with Tommy Wood, M.D., Ph.D.

Risks

Guest Episode

Latest therapeutics in CVD, APOE’s role in Alzheimer’s disease and CVD, familial hypercholesterolemia, and more

Ep. #255 with John Kastelein, M.D., Ph.D.