669: The latest on how to prevent Alzheimer’s | Kellyann Niotis, M.D.

"What we know for sure is that Alzheimer's is a preventable disease. It's not destiny,” says Kellyann Niotis, M.D.

Niotis is the world’s first fellowship-trained preventive neurologist. She is a Clinical Assistant Professor of Neurology at Weill Cornell Medicine, the Director of Parkinson’s and Lewy Body Dementia Prevention Research at the Institute for Neurodegenerative Diseases (IND) and runs a private preventive neurology practice in New York City focused on early detection and personalized risk reduction strategies for diseases like Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s and Dementia with Lewy Bodies. Her research has been published in notable medical journals and presented at national and international conferences. Her expertise has been featured in media outlets such as CNN and NBC, and she has received numerous honors and awards recognizing her work. She is passionate about advancing the field of preventive neurology—not only through clinical care and research but also through advocacy for policy change and expanding access to education and treatment. 

00:00 - Your genes are not your destiny

05:06 - Why prevention starts in your 30s

06:44 - Cholesterol management for brain health

11:06 - Explaining amyloid & p-tau 217

17:17 - How viruses & your cycle affect tau

19:37 - Dr. Niotis’s research

23:41 - What movement reveals about your brain

30:37 - Why motor reserve matters

34:47 - Why variety is key when exercising for brain health

37:38 - Elen’s story with two APOE4 copies