Cognitive decline is one of the most feared health concerns today—often overshadowing even heart disease. In this episode, Dr. Christopher Huff speaks with Dr. Kellyann Niotis, the world’s first fellowship-trained preventive neurologist, about how neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's, Parkinson’s, and Lewy body dementia develop—and what we can do to alter their trajectory.

They unpack the basics: What is dementia, and how is it different from normal cognitive aging? Why is Alzheimer’s often misdiagnosed? And how can blood/CSF biomarkers, imaging, and genetic testing help us catch disease before symptoms set in?

But they don’t stop there.

Dr. Niotis explains the critical role a healthy lifestyle plays in brain resilience. Together, they tackle some hot-button topics: the statin debate, the influence of mental health on cognitive outcomes, and why it’s time we treated brain health with the same proactive mindset we bring to heart health.

If you’ve ever feared losing who you are, or watched a loved one slowly disappear, this episode is a must-listen.

Dr. Kellyann Niotis is the first fellowship-trained preventive neurologist in the world, specializing in risk reduction strategies for neurodegenerative disorders such as Alzheimer’s disease, Lewy Body Dementia and Parkinson’s disease. She completed her medical internship and neurology residency at NewYork-Presbyterian/Weill Cornell Medical Center, serving as Chief Resident and the inaugural McGraw Fellow in Neurology Research. Additionally, she completed a fellowship in movement disorders at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai.

Dr. Niotis led the preventive neurology program within Early Medical and managed the country’s first Alzheimer's Prevention Clinic at Weill Cornell Medical College/NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital where she developed research programs for Parkinson’s and Lewy Body Dementia prevention. In addition, Dr. Niotis is the Director of Parkinson’s and Lewy Body Dementia research at the Institute for Neurodegenerative Diseases (IND) Florida where she studies early detection and personalized risk reduction interventions for people at-risk for neurodegenerative diseases. Her work has been published in several medical journals including Neurology, Nature Mental Health, Frontiers of Aging Neuroscience, Aging and Disease, Movement Disorders, Journal of Alzheimer’s Disease, Alzheimer's & Dementia and Journal of the Prevention of Alzheimer’s Disease and has been presented at national and international conferences.

Dr. Niotis is passionate about the budding medical space of preventive neurology; in particular pertaining to the advocacy of preventive neurology policy changes and making treatment & education more accessible to the masses. She has received numerous honors and awards, and her opinions have been featured in popular media outlets including CNN.

🔗 Learn more: drkellyannniotis.com

📱 Instagram: @DrKellyannNiotis

💼 LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/drkellyannniotis

🌐 IND Research Foundation: IND.org

• www.indd.org – Institute for Neurodegenerative Diseases
• MIND Diet – A hybrid of the Mediterranean and DASH diets, protective against dementia
• APOE Testing – A genetic marker tied to Alzheimer’s and cardiovascular disease
• FDG-PET & Amyloid Imaging – Emerging diagnostic tools for early detection

• Prioritize sleep—especially REM and deep sleep. It’s when the brain detoxifies and processes memory.
• What’s good for the heart is good for the brain—exercise, blood pressure control, and healthy lipids matter.
• Social connection, mental stimulation, and joy aren’t soft science—they’re powerful tools for protecting your cognition.

Work with me: Premier Cardiovascular Health

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/chris.huff.9480

Instagram: @hufcm

Disclaimer: The information provided in this podcast is for educational and informational purposes only and is not intended as medical advice. Always consult with a qualified healthcare provider before making any decisions about your health or medical treatment.