Neurosurgery, Preventing Alzheimer’s Disease, and Optimizing VO2Max with Dr. Joseph Maroon

Did you know an estimated 6.7 million Americans aged 65 and older are living with Alzheimer's disease? Alzheimer’s disease is the most common form of dementia, contributing to 60–70% of dementia cases. Being that aging is the primary risk factor for developing dementia, the Longevity By Design team has been eager to discuss dementia on the show.

In this episode, Dr. Blander and Ashley Reaver, MS, RD, CSSD interview Dr. Joseph Maroon. Dr. Maroon is a professor of Neurosurgery at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center and longtime team neurosurgeon to the Pittsburgh Steelers.

Dr. Maroon shares a ton of interesting science related to Alzheimer's disease. He discusses findings from his recently published research about how oxidative stress is a primary cause of Alzheimer’s disease. He explains why sleep can help prevent Alzheimer’s, and gives other lifestyle advice for how to promote brain health as we age.

Dr. Maroon also talks about his experience in the NFL, how concussions impact the brain, new concussion-detection technology, why VO2Max is a great biomarker of fitness, and how triathlons saved his life.


Introduction: (0:00-2:50)
Why Dr. Maroon became a physician: (2:50–6:20)
Most common diseases seen by a neurosurgeon: (6:20-7:38)
Most common neurological conditions associated with aging: (7:38-10:40)
Lifestyle interventions to decrease oxidative stress: (10:40-12:13)
Cigarettes and marijuana impact brain connectivity: (12:13–16:00)
What is a concussion?: (16:00–19:00)
NFL guidelines for concussions: (19:00–22:04)
Dangers of returning to play too soon after a head injury: (22:04–23:30)
Do football players age faster than the general public?: (23:30–29:16)
New technology for detecting concussions in athletes: (29:16–32:10)
Neuroprotective supplements: (32:10–34:00)
Hyperbaric oxygen therapy for severe concussion treatment: (34:00–38:50)
“Triathlons saved my life”: (38:50–45:55)
Free radicals and exercise: (45:55–48:40)
What happens to the brain when we sleep: (48:40–50:52)
The ketogenic diet and cancer: (50:52–58:00)
VO2 max and aging: (58:00–1:04:10)
VO2 max is correlated with other biomarkers of health: (1:04:10–1:10:47)
Top tip for healthspan: (1:10:48–end)


Longevity by Design is produced by InsideTracker, your data-driven wellness guide for optimizing your healthspan. For a limited time, visit https://hubs.li/Q023pFLS0 for 20% off any InsideTracker plan.

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