Dr. Joseph Maroon, Neurosurgery professor at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center and longtime team neurosurgeon to the Pittsburgh Steelers, shares interesting science on Alzheimer's disease, oxidative stress, and brain health. He discusses sleep's role in preventing Alzheimer's and gives lifestyle advice. He also talks about concussions, new concussion-detection technology, VO2max, and how triathlons saved his life.
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Unintended Path
Dr. Maroon's path to neurosurgery wasn't direct.
He initially considered law, influenced by his father, before switching to pre-med in college.
insights INSIGHT
Oxidative Stress
Oxidative stress, a process involving free radicals, is a primary cause of neurodegenerative diseases.
This includes Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, and ALS, according to recent research.
volunteer_activism ADVICE
Lifestyle Interventions
To reduce oxidative stress, focus on five lifestyle factors.
These include diet, exercise, toxin avoidance, stress management, and sleep.
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Did you know an estimated 6.7 million Americans aged 65 and older are living with Alzheimer's disease? Alzheimer’s disease is the most common form of dementia, contributing to 60–70% of dementia cases. Being that aging is the primary risk factor for developing dementia, the Longevity By Design team has been eager to discuss dementia on the show.
In this episode, Dr. Blander and Ashley Reaver, MS, RD, CSSD interview Dr. Joseph Maroon. Dr. Maroon is a professor of Neurosurgery at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center and longtime team neurosurgeon to the Pittsburgh Steelers.
Dr. Maroon shares a ton of interesting science related to Alzheimer's disease. He discusses findings from his recently published research on how oxidative stress is a primary cause of Alzheimer’s disease. He explains why sleep can help prevent Alzheimer’s, and gives other lifestyle advice for how to promote brain health as we age.
Dr. Maroon also talks about his experience in the NFL, how concussions impact the brain, new concussion-detection technology, why VO2max is a great biomarker of fitness, and how triathlons saved his life.
Episodetimestamps:
Introduction: (0:00–2:50)
Why Dr. Maroon became a physician: (2:50–6:20)
Most common diseases seen by a neurosurgeon: (6:20-7:38)
Most common neurological conditions associated with aging: (7:38-10:40)
Lifestyle interventions to decrease oxidative stress: (10:40-12:13)
Cigarettes and marijuana impact brain connectivity: (12:13–16:00)
What is a concussion?: (16:00–19:00)
NFL guidelines for concussions: (19:00–22:04)
Dangers of returning to play too soon after a head injury: (22:04–23:30)
Do football players age faster than the general public?: (23:30–29:16)
New technology for detecting concussions in athletes: (29:16–32:10)
Neuroprotective supplements: (32:10–34:00)
Hyperbaric oxygen therapy for severe concussion treatment: (34:00–38:50)
“Triathlons saved my life”: (38:50–45:55)
Free radicals and exercise: (45:55–48:40)
What happens to the brain when we sleep: (48:40–50:52)
The ketogenic diet and cancer: (50:52–58:00)
VO2 max and aging: (58:00–1:04:10)
VO2 max is correlated with other biomarkers of health: (1:04:10–1:10:47)
Longevity by Design