Women and Brain Disease: How You Can Protect Your Brain
Jun 11, 2024
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Dr. Kellyann Niotis, a pioneering preventative neurologist, dives deep into the factors that make women more susceptible to Alzheimer’s. She discusses how hormonal changes during menopause can heighten this risk and emphasizes proactive steps to bolster brain health. Dr. Niotis debunks misconceptions about memory loss and highlights the importance of lifestyle choices. She also touches on the impact of genes like APOE4, the role of sleep and alcohol in cognitive health, and shares vital advice for combating neuroinflammation.
Women face unique risks for neurodegenerative diseases due to hormonal changes during menopause, which can impact brain health significantly.
Personalized interventions in preventive neurology are crucial for mitigating individual risk factors associated with dementia and Alzheimer's disease.
Regular lifestyle practices, such as maintaining a nutritious diet and engaging in physical activities, are essential for promoting cognitive resilience and overall brain health.
Deep dives
The Role of Preventive Neurology
Preventive neurology focuses on assessing and mitigating the risk factors associated with neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's and Parkinson's. By evaluating individual risk profiles based on genetics and family history, preventive neurologists can tailor interventions to enhance brain health and reduce the likelihood of disease onset. This area acknowledges that personalized approaches are essential since the disease manifestations and progression can vary significantly from person to person. Engaging in preventive strategies is crucial, especially for individuals with a family history of neurological disorders.
The Impact of Aging on Brain Health
As individuals age, various neurological functions naturally decline, affecting cognition, attention, and memory processing. Age-related changes such as shrinking brain structures and decreased blood flow can lead to inefficiencies in brain cell signaling, resulting in common experiences like temporary word-finding difficulties. Despite these changes, most cognitive declines are not indicative of dementia, and many memory lapses can often be attributed to distractions in everyday life. Understanding these age-related shifts is important for distinguishing between normal aging and the early signs of neurodegenerative conditions.
The Gender Disparity in Neurodegenerative Diseases
Research indicates that women are disproportionately affected by neurodegenerative diseases, with hormonal fluctuations during menopause potentially playing a significant role. The rapid hormonal changes during this period may trigger neurodegenerative changes in the brain, raising women's vulnerability to conditions like Alzheimer's. Studies suggest that starting hormone replacement therapy during the perimenopausal period can help mitigate some of these risks. This highlights the need for targeted interventions to support women's brain health throughout their lifespan.
Holistic Approaches to Brain Health
Maintaining brain health involves multiple lifestyle factors, including diet, exercise, and sleep, which all contribute to cognitive reserve. Regular physical activity, particularly strength training and activities that enhance balance and coordination, is vital for protecting against age-related decline. Additionally, a nutritious diet rich in omega-3 fatty acids, antioxidants from berries, and healthy fats like olive oil can support overall brain function. Mental stimulation through learning new skills or engaging in complex mental activities is equally important to foster cognitive resilience.
Biomarker Innovations for Alzheimer's Detection
Recent advancements in biomarker testing are transforming the approach to diagnosing Alzheimer’s, allowing for earlier and more accurate detection through blood samples. These tests measure proteins associated with neurodegeneration, informing healthcare providers about the risk of developing cognitive decline. Despite the promising developments, it's essential for the public to consult healthcare professionals for accurate interpretations of these tests rather than relying on direct-to-consumer options. With ongoing research, these innovations aim to provide tailored preventative strategies based on individual biomarker profiles.
Why is it that women are almost twice as likely to develop Alzheimer’s disease, and what are the greatest risk factors associated with developing dementia? Today on SHE MD, Mary Alice and Dr. Aliabadi team up with Dr. Kellyann Niotis to explore what women can do to prevent cognitive decline.
Dr. Kellyann Niotis is one of the world's only preventative neurologists, specializing in personalized risk reduction for neurodegenerative disorders such as Alzheimer’s disease, Lewy Body Dementia, and Parkinson’s disease.
In this episode, Dr. Niotis delves into known contributors to dementia and outlines her non-negotiable principles for maintaining brain health. Dr. Niotis walks our hosts through the way hormone fluctuations during menopause play a role in neurodegeneration and the critical health markers that signal red flags for neurologists. A strong advocate of the idea that "your genes are not your destiny," Dr. Niotis offers a wealth of research-backed advice and preventative measures to combat brain disease.
Dr. Niotis highlights specific risks associated with the APOE4 gene and addresses common questions about brain disease, hormone replacement therapy, alcohol consumption, over-the-counter sleep aids, and even the role of the Herpes Simplex Virus in neuroinflammation. Tune in for the essential tools women need to protect themselves against cognitive decline.
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