In this episode, Dr. Matt Kaeberlein joins Dr. Christin Glorioso, founder of NeuroAge Therapeutics, to discuss revolutionary breakthroughs in brain ageing and Alzheimer’s prevention. They explore how advanced brain age testing—integrating MRI scans, cognitive evaluations, blood biomarkers, and genetic insights—can identify Alzheimer’s risk years before symptoms appear. 

Key Points:

This podcast highlights the power of early detection and lifestyle interventions in maintaining cognitive health and preventing Alzheimer’s. Christin Glorioso and Matt explore the role of genetics, lifestyle, and emerging therapies in delaying cognitive decline.

• Revolutionizing Brain Age Testing: NeuroAge Therapeutics has developed a comprehensive test that predicts brain ageing and Alzheimer’s risk up to 30 years in advance. It integrates MRI scans, cognitive assessments, blood biomarkers, and genetic profiling into a single score.
• Genetics vs. Lifestyle in Brain Health: Approximately 60% of brain ageing is influenced by genetics, while 40% is determined by lifestyle factors. Adopting healthy habits can significantly mitigate genetic risks, even in individuals with high-risk APOE4 variants.
• MRI and Cognitive Function as Predictors: Structural MRI scans can measure brain volume loss, a key indicator of cognitive decline. In addition, cognitive games assess memory, reaction speed, and overall brain performance, helping to track functional brain ageing.
• Lifestyle Modifications for Cognitive Longevity: Regular exercise, quality sleep, a Mediterranean diet, social engagement, mental stimulation, and stress management are proven strategies to slow brain ageing and lower dementia risk.
• Emerging Medications & Therapies: New Alzheimer’s treatments, including anti-amyloid drugs and GLP-1 agonists (commonly used for diabetes), show promise in reducing cognitive decline. Hormone replacement therapy (HRT) may also play a role in Alzheimer’s prevention for women in early menopause.
• Future of Personalized Brain Health: NeuroAge Therapeutics aims to leverage large-scale data collection to refine Alzheimer’s prevention strategies. By integrating multi-omics research (genomics, transcriptomics, and proteomics), they seek to develop targeted therapies for brain ageing.