The Brain Health Revolution Podcast

The power of community for better brain health

In this episode, we discuss the often-overlooked importance of addressing behavior change for improving brain health and overall wellbeing, and how we need to involve our communities at every step of change towards such optimizations. We talk about: • The neuroscience and circumstantial influences of behavior change • The importance of meeting people where they are and adjusting behavior change strategies accordingly • How to strategize self-improvement without it feeling cold, rigid, unnatural, and, ultimately, ineffective • Why the past can teach us a lot about modern behavior change at a community level This is part one of a conversation about behavior, the systems that make it possible, and how we can achieve long-term change in the midst of a healthcare landscape that can sometimes feel hopeless. Support for the Brain Health Revolution Podcast comes from NEURO Academy, an online community of individuals working together towards optimum long-term brain health, through science-backed on-demand courses, live coaching, nutrition guidance, and more. Find out more at: thebraindocs.com/neuro-academy Follow doctors Ayesha and Dean on: • Instagram: @TheBrainDocs • TikTok: @TheBrainDocs More information on neuroscience: • Our blog: thebraindocs.com/blog/ • Our brain-healthy recipes: thebraindocs.com/recipes/ The Brain Health Revolution Podcast is hosted by Doctors Ayesha and Dean Sherzai.

Neuroplasticity: the incredible ways our brains evolve and adapt

In this episode, Ayesha and Dean discuss ‘neuroplasticity’, a term that was once echoed only within the walls of neuroscience labs, but which has now become an increasingly well-known word for describing how our brains evolve and adapt. We talk about: • How modern technology has enabled our understanding of neuroplasticity • What science previously got wrong about neuroplasticity • How neuroplasticity actually works • The Hebbian and homeostatic theories of neuroplasticity • How we can all improve our neuroplasticity through improved lifestlyes • Neuroplasticity through the lens of our NEURO concept: Nutrition, Exercise, Unwind, Restore, and Optimize Support for the Brain Health Revolution Podcast comes from NEURO Academy, an online community of individuals working together towards optimum long-term brain health, through science-backed on-demand courses, live coaching, nutrition guidance, and more. Find out more at: thebraindocs.com/neuro-academy Follow doctors Ayesha and Dean on: • Instagram: @TheBrainDocs • TikTok: @TheBrainDocs More information on neuroscience: • Our blog: thebraindocs.com/blog/ • Our brain-healthy recipes: thebraindocs.com/recipes/

The Profound Influence of Lifestyle on Brain Health: A NEURO Academy Live Session

This episode was a live presentation for our members in the NEURO Academy online community. We presented a summary of the pivotal role that lifestyle changes play in the prevention of Alzheimer's disease and answered questions at the end.  The research presented was on the following: Dietary patterns and risk of Alzheimer's Relationship of serum cholesterol and Alzheimer's  Supplements and brain health DHA/EPA and Alzheimer's risk Exercise Unwind or stress management and the latest data and risk for Alzheimer's Sleep disorders and slee hygiene  Building cognitive reserve  NEURO Academy is a membership based online community with over 500 active members, with resources to achieve optimal brain health, better cognition and prevent cognitive decline. The platform provides the opportunity to connect with us and an empowering community, and participate in weekly live Q&A sessions, education on evidence based nutrition and other lifestyle factors, live cooking demonstration , live podcasts and Q&A with remarkable health leaders, interest groups, book clubs, science club discussions, access to on-demand courses on prevention of neurological diseases,  evidence-based nutrition and cooking, behavioral sciences and many others on various topics related to brain health. Members can receive CE or CME credits and certification after taking the course. Join us by visiting NEUROacademy.com.   Join the NEURO Academy: NEUROacademy.com Follow us on social media: Instagram: The Brain Docs @thebraindocs Facebook: The Brain Docs TikTok: @thebraindocs Website: TheBrainDocs.com

Brain and Behavior with Nicole Vignola

In this episode, we spoke with Nicole Vignola, who is a cognitive neuroscientist, author and speaker committed to making neuroscience tangible for the masses. With 12 years of coaching experience, Nicole has a BSc in Neuroscience from the University of Bristol and an MSc in Organisational Psychology with a research focus in cognitive neuroscience. She works with organisations and individuals to teach them how to better understand their unique physiology, providing them with practical tools and science-backed methods to improve their mental health, optimise reflexes and reach peak mental performance, enhancing their daily lives and careers. Through creating healthy habits, Nicole helps people best support their mental health, manage their stressors and make better decisions.  Her first book ‘Rewire: Your Neurotoolkit for Everyday Life' is coming out in May 2024. Follow Nicole on Instagram: @nicoleneuroscience Follow us: Join the NEURO Academy: NEUROacademy.com Follow us on social media: Instagram: The Brain Docs @thebraindocs TikTok: @thebraindocs Website: TheBrainDocs.com

Beyond Heartburn: Probing the Association Between Proton Pump Inhibitor and Dementia

In this episode In this illuminating episode, we dive deep into the world of proton pump inhibitors (PPIs), commonly prescribed medications for heartburn and acid reflux. While these drugs have brought relief to millions worldwide, recent studies have begun to uncover potential links between PPI use and an increased risk of dementia. We explore the mechanisms that might underlie this association, the clinical implications for patients, and the broader question of how seemingly unrelated conditions might be connected at a molecular level. Whether you're a healthcare professional, a patient on PPIs, or simply someone curious about the intricate web of human health, this episode promises to offer fresh insights into a hotly debated area of medicine. References: Main papers disucssed in this episode: - Northuis, Carin, et al. "Cumulative Use of Proton Pump Inhibitors and Risk of Dementia: The Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities Study." Neurology (2023). https://n.neurology.org/content/early/2023/08/09/WNL.0000000000207747?utm_source=twitter&utm_medium=organic - Gomm, Willy, et al. "Association of proton pump inhibitors with risk of dementia: a pharmacoepidemiological claims data analysis." JAMA neurology 73.4 (2016): 410-416. https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamaneurology/article-abstract/2487379 - Li, Min, et al. "Proton pump inhibitor use and risk of dementia: systematic review and meta-analysis." Medicine 98.7 (2019). - Ortiz-Guerrero, Gloria, et al. "Proton pump inhibitors and dementia: physiopathological mechanisms and clinical consequences." Neural plasticity 2018 (2018). - Wijarnpreecha, Karn, et al. "Proton pump inhibitors and risk of dementia." Annals of translational medicine 4.12 (2016). - Haenisch, Britta, et al. "Risk of dementia in elderly patients with the use of proton pump inhibitors." European archives of psychiatry and clinical neuroscience 265 (2015): 419-428. - Batchelor, Riley, et al. "Dementia, cognitive impairment and proton pump inhibitor therapy: a systematic review." Journal of gastroenterology and hepatology 32.8 (2017): 1426-1435. - Gray, Shelly L., et al. "Proton pump inhibitor use and dementia risk: Prospective population‐based study." Journal of the American Geriatrics Society 66.2 (2018): 247-253. - Ahn, Nayeon, et al. "Do proton pump inhibitors increase the risk of dementia? A systematic review, meta‐analysis and bias analysis." British Journal of Clinical Pharmacology 89.2 (2023): 602-616. Follow us: Join the NEURO Academy: NEUROacademy.com Follow us on social media: Instagram: The Brain Docs @thebraindocs Facebook: The Brain Docs TikTok: @thebraindocs Website: TheBrainDocs.com