This podcast episode explores the multifaceted world of neurodegenerative diseases, delving into their causes, risk factors, and potential interventions. It highlights the link between oral health, exercise, and reduced risk of Alzheimer's disease, emphasizing the significance of preventive strategies. The discussion unveils the role of sleep patterns, particularly REM sleep behavior disorder, in predicting Parkinson's disease development. Misfolded proteins and their impact on neuron function are examined, along with the role of inflammation in neurodegeneration. Cognitive assessments and the challenges of measuring cognitive decline are discussed, along with the controversies surrounding Aducanumab, an Alzheimer's drug. The episode concludes with insights into the connection between hearing loss and dementia, oral health and brain health, and the role of genes, mitochondria, and exercise in neurodegenerative diseases.
