How Our Blood Impacts Brain Aging and Alzheimer’s Disease with Dr. Tony Wyss-Coray

Jan 24, 2024

In this engaging discussion, Dr. Tony Wyss-Coray, a leading neurology professor at Stanford, shares insights from his groundbreaking research on brain aging and Alzheimer's disease. He reveals how young blood could potentially rejuvenate older brains, opening doors for new treatments. Dr. Wyss-Coray narrates his scientific journey from childhood farming dreams to pivotal discoveries in neurodegeneration. The conversation emphasizes the importance of blood proteomics in assessing cognitive decline risks, highlighting a fascinating intersection of science and longevity.

Ask episode

AI Snips

Chapters

Transcript

Episode notes

ANECDOTE

Tony's Scientific Journey

Tony Wyss-Coray grew up in rural Switzerland fascinated by nature and initially dreamed of becoming a farmer.
His college studies exposed him widely, leading him to specialize in immunology before shifting to neuroscience.

INSIGHT

Proteomics Predicts Organ Aging

Blood proteomics can reveal biological age of specific organs like heart and brain by measuring proteins unique to those organs.
Older organ proteins predict higher risk of organ-specific disease and mortality, enabling better health risk predictions.

INSIGHT

Three Waves of Aging

Aging happens in waves, with a surprising early wave around age 35 involving major biological changes.
Early aging changes may set the trajectory for later health outcomes, emphasizing early intervention importance.

Get the Snipd Podcast app to discover more snips from this episode

Get the app

In this insightful episode of Longevity by Design, hosts Dr. Gil Blander and Ashley Reaver welcome Dr. Tony Wyss-Coray, a distinguished expert in neurology and brain aging. Dr. Wyss-Coray shares his journey from a childhood fascination with nature to becoming a leading figure in neuroscience and immunology. His initial interest in farming evolved into a passion for understanding the complexities of the human brain, particularly in the context of aging and neurodegenerative diseases.

Dr. Wyss-Coray discusses his groundbreaking research on Alzheimer's disease and the aging brain. He dives into the intriguing discovery that factors in young blood can rejuvenate older brains, offering potential pathways for treating age-related cognitive decline. This revelation has significant implications for understanding and potentially mitigating the effects of aging on the brain.

The episode also explores Dr. Wyss-Coray's transition from Switzerland to the U.S., highlighting the cultural and scientific opportunities that influenced his career. His journey underscores the importance of interdisciplinary research and collaboration in advancing our understanding of complex medical challenges like Alzheimer's disease. This conversation provides a fascinating glimpse into the intersection of immunology, neurology, and the quest to unlock the secrets of longevity.

Listen to all episodes of Longevity by Design at https://info.insidetracker.com/longevitybydesign

Episode timestamps:

Introduction: 0:00-2:12
Why Dr. Tony Wyss-Coray became a scientist: 02:13-03:35
Dr. Tony Wyss-Coray’s career journey studying immunology, neuroscience, and aging: 03:36-07:02
Dr. Tony Wyss-Coray’s personal story on why he decided to stay in the US: 07:03-11:20
Dr. Tony Wyss-Coray’s story on becoming the founder of three biotech companies and what they do: 11:21-15:12
Introduction to Dr. Wyss-Coray’s research on proteomics and organ-specific aging: 15:13-15:52
What is proteomics: 15:53-16:39
What are the SomaLogic and Olink technologies for measuring proteins: 16:40-19:37
What are the links between blood-based proteins, organ-specific biological aging, and chronic disease risk: 19:38-28:35
Is aging a disease: 28:36-31:01
The three waves of aging based on proteomic analysis: 31:02-37:29
Are changes in blood proteins the cause or effect of aging: 37:30-43:46
What are the effects of parabiosis and blood transfusion on gene expression and aging: 43:47-50:58
The future of blood transfusions and synthetic drugs for improving healthspan and preventing neurodegenerative diseases: 50:59-55:07
Are the effects of parabiosis or blood transfusions short-term, mid-term, or long-term: 55:08-59:17
Proteomics for understanding organ aging, identifying potential drug targets, and young blood transfusions for rejuvenation: 59:18-01:01:58
Biological aging of organs: 01:01:59-01:10:29
What are the effects of fat tissue or obesity on metabolic health and mortality: 01:10:30-01:12:06
What is the effect of accelerated brain aging on cognition and neurodegeneration: 01:12:17-01:15:52
What can people do themselves to identify if they have accelerated brain aging: 01:15:53-01:18:27
Sleep improves blood biomarkers: 01:18:28-01:19:09
Top tip for healthspan: 01:19:10-01:21:44