An estimated 45% of dementia cases are preventable – find out how you can reduce your risk by targeting these fourteen modifiable factors. In Episode #337, I sit down with Dr Kellyann Niotis, the first fellowship-trained preventive neurologist, to explore the latest research on dementia prevention and how simple lifestyle changes can significantly reduce your risk of cognitive decline.
“Neurodegenerative diseases are very similar to cardiovascular disease in that they form decades before – in the body – the first obvious symptoms develop.”
Dr Kellyann Niotis leads the preventive neurology program within Dr Peter Attia’s medical practice, Early Medical, where she focuses on the applied science of longevity. She is also the Director of Parkinson’s Disease & Lewy Body Dementia Prevention Research at the Institute for Neurodegenerative Diseases Florida. Dr Niotis was previously the manager of the country’s first Alzheimer’s Prevention Clinic at Weill Cornell Medical College and is the first fellowship-trained preventive neurologist in the U.S. She has published extensively in peer-reviewed journals and her expertise has been featured in major media outlets, including CNN.
“It’s never too late to start thinking about your brain; of course, the earlier you start the better.”
In this episode, we break down the fourteen modifiable risk factors for dementia as outlined in the latest Lancet Commission report. From managing LDL cholesterol and staying physically active to addressing hearing loss and maintaining mental health, Dr Niotis explains how these factors can help reduce your risk of dementia. You’ll also learn about the links between nutrition, sleep, and brain health, and why it’s never too early – or too late – to start taking care of your brain.
Specifically, we cover:
- Introduction (00:00)
- Pioneering Preventive Neurology (00:07)
- Decoding Neurodegenerative Diseases (00:56)
- Understanding the Phases of Neurodegeneration (02:09)
- Early Indicators: Preclinical Signs and Cognitive Impairment (07:12)
- Uncovering Dementia’s Risk Factors and Preventive Steps (11:33)
- How Education Builds Cognitive Reserve Against Dementia (22:37)
- Why Vision and Hearing Loss Could Raise Dementia Risk (27:45)
- The Link Between Oral Health and Cognitive Decline (40:45)
- How Depression Influences Dementia Risk (52:33)
- Head Trauma’s Impact on Cognitive Health (59:21)
- How Head Injuries May Contribute to Dementia (01:01:35)
- How Exercise Benefits Brain Health and Longevity (01:11:43)
- Social Connections: A Key to Cognitive Health (01:23:56)
- How Diabetes Increases Dementia Risk (01:30:03)
- Hypertension’s Role in Cognitive Decline (01:48:00)
- Optimal Blood Pressure Goals for Brain Health (01:59:08)
- Alcohol’s Effects on Brain Function (02:01:12)
- Recreational Drugs and Brain Degeneration (02:09:38)
- Smoking’s Effect on Dementia Risk (02:12:00)
- The Link Between Air Pollution and Cognitive Health (02:17:49)
- Environmental Toxins and Dementia Risk (02:22:35)
- Diet Choices That May Help Prevent Dementia (02:29:30)
- Why Quality Sleep is Essential for Brain Health (02:35:44)
- Menopause’s Influence on Dementia Risk (02:46:26)
- Closing Thoughts and Contact Information (02:52:28)
Thank you to Dr Kellyann Niotis for sharing her unique expertise and insights in this episode. Dr Niotis’ dedication to helping people prevent neurodegenerative diseases is inspiring, and I look forward to seeing how her work continues to shape the field of preventive neurology.
Connect with Dr Kellyann Niotis on Instagram, LinkedIn, and via her website, https://drkellyannniotis.com/. Listen to her appearance in Episode #333 here.
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More about Kellyann Niotis, MD
Dr Kellyann Niotis is a preventive- and movement disorders-trained neurologist and currently leads the preventive neurology program within Dr Peter Attia’s medical practice, Early Medical, focused on the applied science of longevity. She also serves as the Director of Parkinson’s Disease & Lewy Body Dementia Prevention Research at the Institute for Neurodegenerative Diseases Florida. Previously, she managed the country’s first Alzheimer’s Prevention Clinic at Weill Cornell Medical College/NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital.
She completed neurology residency at NewYork-Presbyterian/Weill Cornell Medical Center, serving as Chief Resident and the inaugural 2020 McGraw Fellow in Neurology Research. She also completed a movement disorders fellowship at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai. Under the mentorship of Dr Richard Isaacson at Weill Cornell Medicine, she is the country’s first fellowship-trained preventive neurologist. Her work has been published in several peer reviewed journals including Aging and Disease, Neurology, The Journal of Alzheimer’s Disease, The Journal of the Prevention of Alzheimer’s Disease, Frontiers of Aging Neuroscience, Alzheimer’s & Dementia, Seminars in Neurology, Nature Scientific Reports, and Nature Mental Health and her opinions have been featured in several popular media outlets including CNN.
Supporting studies
- Dementia prevention, intervention, and care: 2024 report of the Lancet standing Commission • PMID: 39096926
- Cardiorespiratory Fitness and Mortality Risk Across the Spectra of Age, Race, and Sex • PMID: 35926933
Additional notes
Recent research suggests that certain compounds may offer superior protection against dementia. These include:
- Thiazides
- Angiotensin 1 receptor blockers (ARBs)
- Dihydropterin calcium channel blockers
These compounds are being studied for their potential benefits in preventing dementia, providing further insight into how we can proactively protect our brain health.
