The Brain and Mind Experts

What if dementia isn't simply a disease of aging brain cells — but a failure of the brain's support systems over time?

In this episode of The Brain and Mind Experts, host Tom Dent sits down with neurologist Dr. Steven Allder to explore groundbreaking discoveries changing how we think about dementia, Alzheimer's disease, sleep, brain injury, and long-term cognitive health.

Dr. Allder explains the brain's recently discovered "glymphatic system" — the brain's nighttime cleaning process that removes waste while we sleep — and why poor sleep, chronic stress, neuroinflammation, air pollution, diet, and repeated head trauma may all contribute to cognitive decline decades before symptoms appear.

The conversation also explores:

• Why dementia may begin in your 20s or 30s
• How sleep position impacts brain health
• The connection between neuroinflammation and Alzheimer's disease
• Why repeated head injuries can overwhelm the brain's support systems
• The role of exercise, diet, and environmental health in reducing dementia risk
• Why early detection and preventative testing could transform brain medicine

Dr. Allder also shares why he believes the future of dementia care will focus less on damaged neurons — and more on protecting the brain's resilience and support structures before symptoms emerge.

#Dementia #Alzheimers #BrainHealth #SleepScience #Neurology #CognitiveHealth #BrainAndMindExperts #DrStevenAllder #Neuroinflammation #MentalHealth

• Why CTE is called the "silent killer" (and why it's anything but silent once symptoms begin)
• The role of subconcussions and cumulative exposure across football, rugby, hockey, and soccer
• What helmets can and can't do — and why protecting the brain matters more than protecting the skull
• Emerging tools: biomarkers, imaging, and the race to diagnose CTE before symptoms
• CTE vs Alzheimer's: similarities, key differences, and why overlap can happen
• The warning signs to watch for: mood changes, impulsivity, memory loss, depression, vertigo, and more
• What parents should consider about age, years played, and informed risk decisions

Dr. Emer MacSweeney and Tom Dent talk about the tests that can diagnose Alzheimer's. For the first time, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved a blood test that can help identify Alzheimer's disease in clinical practice. For a disease that is a global pandemic, this kind of accessible testing is critical.

Retired British professional footballer Ray Clarke, diagnosed with early-onset Alzheimer's, is participating in a clinical trial to slow or stop the progression of the disease. Drawing on a history of head injuries, Ray joins Dr. Emer MacSweeney, CEO and Medical Director of Re:Cognition Health, and Tom Dent, Executive Chairman of Re:Cognition Health, to urge former contact sport athletes to seek early testing and treatment for neurological issues.

The Brain and Mind Experts podcast is your gateway to the latest breakthroughs in cognitive health. Hosted by Dr. Emer MacSweeney and Tom Dent of Re:Cognition Health, each episode explores the causes, treatments, and emerging solutions for memory loss and neurological disorders like Alzheimer's. Join us as we bring hope and expert insight to those navigating the complexities of brain health.

Dr. Emer MacSweeney and co-founder Tom Dent dive deep into why early diagnosis matters more than ever and how new breakthroughs in biomarkers and treatments are transforming the outlook for millions.

Dr. Emer MacSweeney, CEO and Medical Director of Re:Cognition Health, and Tom Dent, Executive Chairman of Re:Cognition Health, discuss major advancements in treating cognitive disorders, including two new breakthough medications for Alzheimer's. With the first of these revolutionary treatments now available on the market, Re:Cognition Health continues to lead, delivering these medications safely to individuals in both the USA and UK.