In this episode of the Let's Talk Brain Health podcast, we are joined by Patricia Faust, a gerontologist specializing in brain health and dementia.

Patricia discusses the intersection of brain aging and aromatherapy, detailing her qualifications and extensive experience in the field.

We explore the different pathways through which essential oils impact brain health and the science behind their therapeutic benefits.

Patricia shares practical advice for those new to aromatherapy, emphasizing the importance of pure, natural oils and education.

Tune in to learn how aromatherapy can improve focus, attention, sleep, and overall cognitive function.

00:00 Introduction to Patricia Faust and Her Expertise

01:04 Patricia's Journey into Aromatherapy

02:41 Understanding Aromatherapy and Its Pathways

05:08 Scientific Evidence Behind Aromatherapy

10:47 Effective Essential Oils for Brain Health

13:48 Practical Applications and Personal Experiences

19:31 Getting Started with Aromatherapy

22:07 Recent Breakthroughs and Final Thoughts

Resources:

• Learn more about Patricia on her My Boomer Brain website
• Explore her book “The Boomer Brain: For Baby Boomers Concerned about Dementia and Alzheimer's” on Amazon
• Explore multiple resources on aromatherapy and a wide variety of health conditions on Amrita’s website
• Learn more about aromatherapy on the ⁠National Association of Holistic Aromatherapy’s website
  

In this special episode of the Let's Talk Brain Health podcast, host Dr. Krystal L. Culler takes the 'hot seat' as she's interviewed by LeAnne Stuver, her counterpart at the Virtual Brain Health Center.

Krystal offers an in-depth look at her educational and career background, discusses her personal experiences that led her to focus on brain health and explains the genesis and growth of the Virtual Brain Health Center.

The episode also touches on the wide-reaching impact of their programs and services, their inter-generational initiatives, and their global outreach.

Krystal concludes by sharing her ambitious vision for the future of brain health education and support.

00:00 Introduction and Special Episode Announcement

00:36 Meet Leanne Stuver

01:23 Krystal's Journey into Brain Health

04:10 The Birth of the Virtual Brain Health Center

08:04 Services Offered by VBHC

12:07 Proud Achievements and Global Reach

23:46 Future Vision and Goals

27:50 How to Connect with VBHC

29:08 Closing Remarks and Gratitude

Resources:

• Visit the Virtual Brain Health Center on their website
• Learn more about "A Kids Book About Brain Health"
• Explore blogs on a wide variety of brain health topics
• Download infographics and expert tips for a brain-healthy lifestyle

Meet Your Host, Dr. Jon Artz

In this episode of "Let's Talk Brain Health," co-host Dr. Krystal Culler and co-host Dr. Jonathan Artz (a.k.a- Jon) dive into the origins of the podcast and discuss their backgrounds and passion for brain health. Jon, an adult neurologist and neurophysiologist with a focus on cognitive health, shares his journey from growing up in West Virginia to become a neurologist and how his interest in brain health evolved over the years.

Jon and Krystal discuss the importance of brain health, emphasizing the need for early preventive measures to maintain cognitive function as we age. They highlight the concept of cognitive health as a vital sign and stress the significance of incorporating brain health into daily routines, just like physical activity.

The episode delves into Jon’s personal experiences, particularly his 20-year (and ongoing) dedication to running and exercise, which he believes contributes to his creative thinking, cognitive flexibility, mental clarity, and overall brain health. He encourages listeners to find a physical activity they enjoy and can sustain to promote brain health.

The co-hosts express their excitement about the podcast's focus on bringing expert insights, research, and personal stories related to brain health to a broader audience. Jon shares a book recommendation that influenced his approach to educating patients about brain health.

As the episode concludes, Jon leaves listeners with a key takeaway. There is always something individuals can do to enhance their brain health, and it starts with recognizing and acting upon that one thing that resonates with them.

Throughout the conversation, Krystal and Jon establish the podcast's mission to raise awareness about brain health, educate the public, and inspire proactive steps toward lifelong cognitive well-being. This episode sets the tone for future discussions on various dimensions of brain health and showcases the hosts' enthusiasm for sharing valuable insights and practical tips with their audience.

Learn more about the Let's Talk Brain Health! podcast on our website.

Join us in this insightful episode of the 'Let's Talk Brain Health' podcast as we welcome Dr. Henrietta Szutorisz, Ph.D., a renowned biomedical scientist and entrepreneur. With over 20 years of experience in fields like cancer research, stem cells, neuroscience, and behavior, Dr. Szutorisz delves into the role of neuroplasticity and epigenetics in mental health and addiction.

She shares her personal journey from biologist to mental health expert, touching on the impact of 21st-century lifestyle, technology, and early-life experiences on addiction. We explore how current addiction treatments often fail to account for individual differences and the necessity for personalized medicine.

She discusses her innovative startup, Objective Recovery, which leverages modern technology for personalized addiction treatment. Tune in for a deep dive into the neurobiology of addiction, the promise of digital therapeutics, and the future of personalized mental health care.

00:00 Introduction to Dr. Henrietta Szutorisz, Ph.D.

01:26 The Importance of Mental Health Conversations

01:50 Understanding the Rise in Mental Health Issues

04:19 Henrietta's Personal Journey into Mental Health

06:52 The Nature of Addiction

09:25 Neurobiology of Addiction

13:45 Challenges in Addiction Treatment

17:43 Future of Personalized Addiction Treatment

23:54 Holistic Approaches to Mental Health

27:19 Hopes for the Future of Addiction Treatment

31:30 Final Thoughts and Reflections

Resources:

• Learn more about Henrietta's work at Objective Recovery on their ⁠LinkedIn Page.⁠
  

• Reach out to Henrietta on LinkedIn.

If you are interested in learning more about lifestyle medicine, check out our previous conversations with Dr. Dean Ornish (Season 4: Episode 1) and Dr. Melissa Sundermann (Season 2: Episode 7).

In this insightful episode, we welcome Elli Kaplan, co-founder and CEO of Neurotrack, to discuss her journey in transforming cognitive health.

She shares her personal motivation driven by family history, the challenges faced in developing early detection tools for Alzheimer's disease, and the innovative work Neurotrack is doing.

From validating technology to integrating effective brain health practices into healthcare systems, Elli provides a deep dive into the future of cognitive health.

Tune in to learn how early screening can make a profound impact and why it's never too early to start the conversation about brain health.

00:00 Introduction to Elli Kaplan and Neurotrack

01:09 Elli's Personal Journey into Cognitive Health

03:32 Challenges in Detecting and Treating Cognitive Decline

08:00 Developing and Validating Neurotrack's Technology

12:04 The Importance of Early Screening and Lifestyle Changes

14:36 Exciting Research and Future Initiatives

21:29 Misconceptions and Personal Insights on Brain Health

25:08 Final Thoughts and Call to Action

Resources

• Learn more about Neurotrack on their website
• Explore a blog written by co-host, Dr. Jonathan Artz “Neurologists Need Help Diagnosing Alzheimer’s, Here’s How PCPs Can Make an Impact”

Cassidy Doyle is a Doctoral Candidate in the Aging Studies at the University of South Florida.

Her work focuses on cognitive aging, particularly the factors that can be modified to prevent Alzheimer's disease.

We delve into her fascinating research on 'super-agers,' individuals aged 80 and above with memory capabilities comparable to much younger people.

Cassidy also shares her personal journey, experiences as a teen caregiver, and the findings from her recent publication on the cognitive aging of Hispanic older adults.

Tune in to learn more about what contributes to successful aging, the modifiable factors that may help preserve memory and cognitive function, and insightful takeaways to apply to your own brain health.

00:00 Welcome and Introduction to Cassidy Doyle

01:04 Cassidy's Background and Personal Journey

02:07 Discovering Cognitive Aging and Dementia

05:05 Understanding Super Agers

05:52 Identifying and Researching Super Agers

08:49 Cognitive Reserve and Brain Health

13:48 Lifestyle Factors of Super Agers

16:48 Emotional and Psychological Traits of Super Agers

18:50 Cassidy's Recent Research on Hispanic Super Agers

25:55 Implications for Cognitive Aging and Brain Health

27:35 Rapid Fire Questions and Key Takeaways

Resources

• Join the SuperAging Research Program https://www.brain.northwestern.edu/join/SuperAging.html

• Explore Cassidy Doyle’s research paper “Correlates of SuperAging in Two Population-Based Samples of Hispanic Older Adults” online https://academic.oup.com/psychsocgerontology/article/79/6/gbae058/7641658?login=false

Join us as we delve into brain health with Dr. Madhav Thambisetty, MD, PhD, a McKnight Brain Research trustee and senior investigator at the National Institute on Aging.

Learn about his distinguished career in neurology and his passion for brain health.

Discover insightful findings from a recent survey on American perspectives on brain health, including common concerns about aging and memory.

Dr. Thambisetty shares valuable lifestyle tips to promote a healthy brain and discusses how the McKnight Brain Research Foundation is working to educate the public and healthcare providers alike.

Stay informed and empowered with practical steps to optimize brain health across your lifespan.

00:00 Introduction to Dr. Manhav Thambisetty

00:47 Early Career and Achievements

01:38 Personal Journey into Brain Health

03:18 Survey on American Perspectives on Brain Health

07:25 Understanding Normal Brain Aging

11:18 Lifestyle Modifications for Optimal Brain Health

13:15 The BrainWorks Campaign

18:47 Future Directions in Brain Health Research

21:06 Final Thoughts and Practical Tips

22:19 Rapid Fire Questions and Conclusion

Resources

• Optimize your brain span with McKnight’s Brain Works Resource
• Explore additional tip sheets on cognitive health and brain health from McKnight’s Brain Research Foundation

Join us in this enlightening episode as we welcome Dr. Dean Ornish, founder of the Preventive Medicine Research Institute and respected Clinical Professor of Medicine.

Dr. Ornish shares his groundbreaking research demonstrating that comprehensive lifestyle changes—focused on diet, exercise, stress management, and social support—can significantly improve cognition in early-stage Alzheimer's patients.

Discover the science behind these findings, personal stories, and insights on the future of brain health.

Learn how simple, accessible lifestyle modifications may offer hope in managing and even reversing cognitive decline.

00:00 Welcome and Introduction to Dr. Dean Ornish

01:52 Personal Connection to Alzheimer's Disease

02:25 Journey into Lifestyle Medicine

03:54 Groundbreaking Research on Lifestyle Changes

06:07 Impact of Lifestyle on Alzheimer's and Other Diseases

09:27 Details of the Lifestyle Interventions

14:20 Challenges and Discoveries in the Study

21:15 Future Research and Broader Implications

26:11 Final Thoughts and Takeaways

Resources:

• Access the evidence from the research study
• Learn more about the Preventative Medicine Research Institute
• Listen to our Season 2: Episode 7 conversation“The Nature Prescription: Lifestyle Medicine Insights with Dr. Ourdoors, Melissa Sundermann, MD" to learn more about the pillars of lifestyle medicine