Dr. Ryan Fortna, MD, PhD, is a board-certified pathologist with research experience in the biology of Alzheimer's disease. He joined me to talk about:
What causes Alzheimer’s disease in the brain
The difference between Alzheimer’s disease and dementia
New blood-based tests for Alzheimer’s disease
Factors that affect one’s risk for Alzheimer’s disease:
Non-modifiable risk factors: age, gender at birth, genetics
Modifiable risk factors: the growing number of lifestyle factors that affect risk
Reversible factors for cognitive changes to evaluate with your doctor
What the new “disease-modifying” medications offer for patients with Alzheimer’s disease
What Dr. Fortna foresees in the next two decades in the area of cognitive health and Alzheimer’s disease
Resources we mentioned:
The Lancet 2024 publication, which supports that up to 45% of dementia cases are preventable
World Health Organization (WHO) guidelines on decreasing the risk of cognitive decline
For more information, I encourage you to check out the 4-part series I published on cognitive health:
Part 1: Understanding Cognitive Health & Cognitive Decline
Part 2: Understanding Non-Modifiable Risk of Cognitive Decline
Part 3: Understanding Modifiable Risk of Cognitive Decline
Thanks for being here,
~Allison
Remember that this information is meant to educate and inspire, but is not medical advice. Please consult your healthcare team to determine what is most appropriate for you.
