In this episode of The Neuro Experience, I sit down with Dr. Kellyann Niotis—one of the first fellowship-trained preventive neurologists—to reveal how you can protect your brain long before symptoms of Alzheimer’s or dementia appear. With Alzheimer’s cases expected to triple by 2050, Dr. Niotis explains the difference between dementia types, the real role of genes like ApoE4, and why lifestyle choices may be more powerful than genetics.
If you want actionable tools to lower your risk, strengthen your memory, and understand the future of preventive neurology, this conversation delivers science-backed strategies you can start applying today.
About Dr. Kellyann Niotis:
Dr. Kellyann Niotis is the first fellowship-trained preventive neurologist focused on reducing risk for Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, and Lewy Body Dementia. She launched the nation’s first Alzheimer’s Prevention Clinic at Weill Cornell and now leads early-detection and brain health research at the Institute for Neurodegenerative Diseases Florida. Her work appears in leading medical journals and has been featured by CNN.
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I’m Louisa Nicola — clinical neuroscientist — Alzheimer’s prevention specialist — founder of Neuro Athletics. My mission is to translate cutting-edge neuroscience into actionable strategies for cognitive longevity, peak performance, and brain disease prevention.
If you're committed to optimizing your brain — reducing Alzheimer’s risk — and staying mentally sharp for life, you’re in the right place.
Stay sharp. Stay informed. Join thousands who subscribe to the Neuro Athletics Newsletter → https://bit.ly/3ewI5P0
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Topics discussed:
00:00 – Introduction
01:25 – Preventative neurology
02:23 – Dementia vs. Alzheimer’s & Other Types of Dementia
04:08 – What Is Alzheimer’s?
05:26 – Clinical Diagnosis: Imaging & Symptoms
07:07 – How Amyloid Disrupts Neural Communication
09:48 – Genetics vs. Lifestyle: Public Misunderstanding
12:02 – Role of Family History & Genetic Risk
14:04 – The ApoE4 Gene Explained15:07 – ApoE Variants
17:08 – ApoE4 and Lipid Transport in the Brain
18:35 – Immune Response & Infection Susceptibility
20:05 – Hormones: Key Role in Brain Health
21:08 – Genotypes & Risk Multipliers
23:01 – ApoE4 Not Always Deterministic: Population Studies
24:15 – Other Genetic Factors Beyond ApoE
25:13 – Biomarkers: Current Use & Limitations
27:13 – Risks of Self-Testing Biomarkers
28:45 – Why Two-Thirds of Patients Are Women
29:46 – Estrogen, Menopause & Neuroprotection
32:07 – Testosterone & Dementia Risk
35:01 – LDL, ApoB & Brain Health Debate
37:01 – Statins & Dementia: Myths vs. Evidence
39:08 – Fear & Misconceptions Around Cholesterol
41:09 – Lipoprotein(a) & Vascular Dementia Risk
44:39 – Brain Vasculature & Hypertension
49:15 – New Alzheimer’s Drugs & Risks
55:32 – Why Rates Keep Rising (Lifestyle & Stress)
58:11 – Early Signs
01:00:23 – Tau Protein, Tangles & Neuronal Damage
01:05:49 – Keto vs. Mediterranean
01:07:14 – Personalization & Preference for Mediterranean Diet
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The Neuro Experience 