Episode Details

In this episode of SHE MD, Mary Alice Haney sits down with preventative neurologist Dr. Kellyann Niotis to unpack what every woman needs to know about brain health, memory, and dementia prevention. From understanding the difference between normal forgetfulness and early warning signs to breaking down how working memory changes with age, this conversation offers clarity, reassurance, and actionable insight. Dr. Niotis explains why women are disproportionately affected by Alzheimer’s disease and how factors like hormones, genetics, and lifestyle all play a role.

They explore the most powerful, research-backed ways to protect your brain, starting with the basics: sleep, exercise, nutrition, and stress management. You’ll learn why strength training is critical for long-term brain health, how the Mediterranean diet can reduce dementia risk by up to 35%, and why your genes are not your destiny, even if you carry high-risk markers like APOE4. The episode also dives into mental health, social connection, and the surprising link between hearing loss and cognitive decline.

Dr. Niotis shares what actually works (and what doesn’t) when it comes to supplements, brain games, and trending “quick fixes,” along with emerging research on medications, biomarkers, and preventative care. If you want to stay sharp, protect your memory, and take control of your long-term brain health, this episode is filled with practical tools you can start using today.

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What You’ll Learn

• The difference between normal forgetfulness and early signs of dementia
• Why working memory declines and how to support it
• How sleep quality (not just quantity) impacts brain health
• The best types of exercise for protecting your brain long-term
• Why strength training is critical (and often overlooked) for women
• How the Mediterranean diet can reduce dementia risk by up to 35%
• The connection between hormones, perimenopause, and brain health
• Why women are more affected by Alzheimer’s disease than men
• How stress, isolation, and mental health impact cognitive decline
• The truth about supplements, nootropics, and “brain boosters”
• How alcohol, marijuana, and emerging therapies affect the brain
• Why hearing loss is a major (and surprising) risk factor for dementia
• The role of biomarkers, gene