Most people think dementia starts with memory loss. But for millions, it actually begins decades earlier: in the blood vessels.

Long before someone forgets a name or misses an appointment, the brain is being quietly damaged by high blood pressure, cholesterol imbalance, poor sleep, inflammation, and chronic stress, day after day, year after year.

This kind of damage doesn't look dramatic. There's no big stroke, no clear warning sign. It happens slowly and silently, which is why it's so often missed until it's too late.

But here's the good news: vascular dementia is one of the most preventable and manageable forms of cognitive decline. When caught early, lifestyle changes and medical interventions can help slow the onset and manage the effects.

In this episode, we explore:

• What vascular dementia and vascular cognitive impairment are, and how they differ from Alzheimer's disease
• Why most dementia cases involve both vascular damage and neurodegenerative pathology (mixed dementia)
• How blood vessel damage begins in childhood and accumulates silently for decades
• The role of high blood pressure, cholesterol, diabetes, sleep disorders, and chronic stress in damaging brain vasculature
• Why slowed thinking, movement, and processing speed are hallmark signs of vascular cognitive decline
• The critical importance of the endothelium: the thin lining of blood vessels that controls brain health
• How lifestyle factors like nutrition, exercise, sleep, and stress management protect and repair vascular health
• Why managing blood pressure early is one of the most powerful interventions for long-term brain health (and why everyone should have a blood pressure monitor at home!)
• How vascular damage can be slowed, even in midlife
• Practical steps for prevention across the lifespan, from childhood through older adulthood

Our guest for this episode is DR. COLUMBUS BATISTE, a board-certified interventional cardiologist, an incredible science communicator, and author of 'Selfish: A Cardiologist's Guide to Healing a Broken Heart'. Dr. Batiste brings deep expertise on how cardiovascular health shapes brain health, and why protecting the endothelium (the inner lining of blood vessels) is foundational to longevity. His work emphasizes that all roads to longevity are paved by the heart, and what's good for the heart is good for the brain!

'Your Brain On…' is hosted by neurologists, scientists, and public health advocates Drs. Ayesha and Dean Sherzai.

SUPPORTED BY: NEURO World, a science-based brain health community designed to help you protect your brain long before problems begin. Learn more at https://neuro.world/

'Your Brain On… Vascular Dementia' • SEASON 6 • EPISODE 8

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LINKS

Dr. Columbus Batiste: https://drbatiste.com/

Instagram: @HeartHealthyDoc

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/drbatiste

——— FOLLOW US

Join NEURO World: https://neuro.world/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thebraindocs

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/thebraindocs

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REFERENCES

Core Definitions & Diagnostic Framework

• Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (5th ed.) - American Psychiatric Publishing

• Vascular contributions to cognitive impairment and dementia - https://doi.org/10.1161/STR.0b013e3182299496

• Classifying neurocognitive disorders: The DSM-5 approach - https://doi.org/10.1038/nrneurol.2014.181

Epidemiology & Public Health Burden

• Neuropathological diagnosis of vascular cognitive impairment and vascular dementia with implications for Alzheimer's disease - https://doi.org/10.1007/s00401-016-1571-z

• Vascular dementia - https://doi.org/10.1016/S0140-6736(15)00463-8

• Risk reduction of cognitive decline and dementia: WHO guidelines - WHO Press

Small Vessel Disease & Subcortical Vascular Dementia

• Small vessel disease: Mechanisms and clinical implications - https://doi.org/10.1016/S1474-4422(19)30079-1

• Cerebral small vessel disease: From pathogenesis and clinical characteristics to therapeutic challenges - https://doi.org/10.1016/S1474-4422(10)70104-6

• The clinical importance of white matter hyperintensities on brain magnetic resonance imaging - https://doi.org/10.1136/bmj.c3666

Mixed Dementia & Alzheimer–Vascular Overlap

• Mixed brain pathologies account for most dementia cases in community-dwelling older persons - https://doi.org/10.1212/01.wnl.0000271090.28148.24

• Early role of vascular dysregulation on late-onset Alzheimer's disease - https://doi.org/10.1016/j.neurobiolaging.2016.04.009

• The pathobiology of vascular dementia - https://doi.org/10.1016/j.neuron.2013.10.008

Cerebral Amyloid Angiopathy (CAA)

• Cerebral amyloid angiopathy and Alzheimer disease—one peptide, two pathways - https://doi.org/10.1038/s41582-019-0281-2

• Emerging concepts in sporadic cerebral amyloid angiopathy - https://doi.org/10.1093/brain/awx047

Genetics, Inflammation, and Repair

• Apolipoprotein E controls cerebrovascular integrity via cyclophilin A - https://doi.org/10.1038/nature11087

• TREM2—A key player in microglial biology and Alzheimer disease - https://doi.org/10.1038/s41582-018-0072-1

Prevention & Vascular Risk Factors

• Dementia prevention, intervention, and care: 2020 report of the Lancet Commission - https://doi.org/10.1016/S0140-6736(20)30367-6

• Lifestyle interventions to prevent cognitive impairment, dementia and Alzheimer disease - https://doi.org/10.1038/s41582-018-0070-3

Further Reading

• The role of vascular risk factors in Alzheimer's disease - https://doi.org/10.1038/s41582-021-00530-4

Cold plunges are everywhere, and the way people talk about them, you'd think they're a miracle cure for your brain, body, and soul.

But in an age of algorithm-fueled evangelism, when a ritual becomes this ubiquitous and loud, we have to ask: how much of the buzz is backed by science… and how much is just marketing?

In this episode, we explore the neuroscience of cold exposure: what's real, what's overstated, and why this "discomfort" has become a billion-dollar industry.

We discuss:

• Why cold plunges went viral, and how wellness movements often devolve into identity-driven cultures
• The difference between cold exposure itself and the monetized "cold plunge movement"
• What constitutes a "cult" (and how pseudoscience forms around partial truths)
• The real physiological cold shock response
• Why the mental "high" after a plunge doesn't automatically equal long-term brain benefit
• The cardiovascular risks that rarely get discussed, especially for people with underlying heart disease
• What the research suggests about soreness, pain reduction, and muscle growth (including why cold immersion can blunt hypertrophy)
• The real story behind brown fat
• Who should avoid cold plunges altogether (asthma, arrhythmias, coronary disease, vascular conditions)

Joining us for this conversation is investigative journalist and bestselling author Scott Carney (What Doesn't Kill Us, The Wedge), who has spent years inside the cold exposure world, first as a skeptic, then as a believer, and eventually as a critic of the culture that formed around it. His work reveals what happens when discomfort becomes identity, and when unfounded "social media science" outruns real science.

Your Brain On... is hosted by neurologists, scientists, and public health advocates Drs. Ayesha and Dean Sherzai.

SUPPORTED BY: the 2026 NEURO World Retreat. A 5-day journey through science, nature, and community, on the California coastline: neuroworldretreat.com

Your Brain On... Cold Plunges • SEASON 6 • EPISODE 7

REFERENCES

Cold Water Immersion, Muscle Adaptation, and Recovery

Roberts, L. A., Raastad, T., Markworth, J. F., Figueiredo, V. C., Egner, I. M., Shield, A., Cameron-Smith, D., Coombes, J. S., & Peake, J. M. (2015). Post-exercise cold water immersion attenuates acute anabolic signalling and long-term adaptations in muscle to strength training. Journal of Physiology, 593(18), 4285–4301. https://doi.org/10.1113/JP270570

Bleakley, C. M., McDonough, S. M., & MacAuley, D. C. (2004). The use of ice in the treatment of acute soft-tissue injury: A systematic review of randomized controlled trials. American Journal of Sports Medicine, 32(1), 251–261. https://doi.org/10.1177/0363546503260757

Leeder, J., Gissane, C., van Someren, K., Gregson, W., & Howatson, G. (2012). Cold water immersion and recovery from strenuous exercise: A meta-analysis. British Journal of Sports Medicine, 46(4), 233–240. https://doi.org/10.1136/bjsports-2011-090061

White, G. E., & Wells, G. D. (2013). Cold-water immersion and other forms of cryotherapy: Physiological changes potentially affecting recovery from high-intensity exercise. Sports Medicine, 43(8), 695–706. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40279-013-0055-8

Kellmann, M., Bertollo, M., Bosquet, L., Brink, M., Coutts, A. J., Duffield, R., Erlacher, D., Halson, S. L., Hecksteden, A., Heidari, J., Kölling, S., Meyer, T., Mujika, I., Robazza, C., Skorski, S., Venter, R., & Beckmann, J. (2018). Recovery and performance in sport: Consensus statement. International Journal of Sports Physiology and Performance, 13(2), 240–245. https://doi.org/10.1123/ijspp.2017-0759

Inflammation, Pain, and Perceived Recovery

Hohenauer, E., Taeymans, J., Baeyens, J. P., Clarys, P., & Clijsen, R. (2015). The effect of post-exercise cryotherapy on recovery characteristics: A systematic review and meta-analysis. PLoS ONE, 10(9), e0139028. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0139028

Costello, J. T., Culligan, K., Selfe, J., & Donnelly, A. E. (2012). Muscle, skin and core temperature after –110°C cold air and 8°C water treatment. PLoS ONE, 7(11), e48190. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0048190

Brown Adipose Tissue (BAT) – Human Imaging & Metabolism

van Marken Lichtenbelt, W. D., Vanhommerig, J. W., Smulders, N. M., Drossaerts, J. M., Kemerink, G. J., Bouvy, N. D., Schrauwen, P., & Teule, G. J. (2009). Cold-activated brown adipose tissue in healthy men. New England Journal of Medicine, 360(15), 1500–1508. https://doi.org/10.1056/NEJMoa0808718

Virtanen, K. A., Lidell, M. E., Orava, J., Heglind, M., Westergren, R., Niemi, T., Taittonen, M., Laine, J., Savisto, N. J., Enerbäck, S., & Nuutila, P. (2009). Functional brown adipose tissue in healthy adults. New England Journal of Medicine, 360(15), 1518–1525. https://doi.org/10.1056/NEJMoa0808949

Betz, M. J., & Enerbäck, S. (2015). Human brown adipose tissue: What we have learned so far. Diabetes, 64(7), 2352–2360. https://doi.org/10.2337/db15-0146

Autonomic Nervous System, HRV, and Cold Exposure

Mourot, L., Bouhaddi, M., Regnard, J., Tordi, N., & Rouillon, J. D. (2008). Cardiac autonomic control during short-term exposure to cold water in humans. European Journal of Applied Physiology, 104(3), 541–547. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00421-008-0810-3

Janský, L., Pospíšilová, D., Honzová, S., Uličný, B., Šrámek, P., Zeman, V., & Kamínková, J. (1996). Immune system of cold-exposed and cold-adapted humans. European Journal of Applied Physiology, 72(5–6), 445–450. https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00242276

Cardiovascular Stress and Cold Shock

Tipton, M. J., Collier, N., Massey, H., Corbett, J., & Harper, M. (2017). Cold water immersion: Kill or cure? Experimental Physiology, 102(11), 1335–1355. https://doi.org/10.1113/EP086283

Tipton, M. J., & Bradford, C. (2014). Cold water immersion and cold shock response. Extreme Physiology & Medicine, 3(1), 1–10. https://doi.org/10.1186/2046-7648-3-7

Whole-Body Cryotherapy (Distinct From Cold Plunges)

Costello, J. T., Baker, P. R., Minett, G. M., Bieuzen, F., Stewart, I. B., & Bleakley, C. (2015). Whole-body cryotherapy (extreme cold air exposure) for preventing and treating muscle soreness after exercise in adults. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, 2015(9), CD010789. https://doi.org/10.1002/14651858.CD010789.pub2

LINKS

Scott Carney's website: https://www.scottcarney.com/

FOLLOW US

Join NEURO World: https://neuro.world/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thebraindocs YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/thebraindocs More info and episodes: TheBrainDocs.com/Podcast

Around the start of 2026, a study sparked viral headlines claiming that cheese could reduce dementia risk.

But... nutrition science almost never works like this. One study can't "prove" a food is protective or harmful, and viral health claims often miss the most important details of research: how the data was gathered, what was actually measured, what variables were controlled for, and what it means in real life.

In this episode, we unpack what the 'viral cheese study' (PMID: 41406402) actually found, what it DOESN'T mean, and why critical thinking around nutrition headlines matters more than ever.

We discuss:

• Why viral food headlines are so persuasive (and so often misleading)

• What the cheese study REALLY reported

• The difference between correlation and causation in nutrition research

• Why long-term dietary recall data can be unreliable

• How bias (including our personal food preferences) shapes interpretation of research

• What "show me the data" really means in a world of clickbait science

• How to interpret food and brain health studies without falling into extremes

We also speak to Emily Sonestedt, research group leader and associate professor at Lund University, and one of the authors of the viral study.

"Your Brain On..." is hosted by neurologists, scientists, and public health advocates Drs. Ayesha and Dean Sherzai.

SUPPORTED BY: the 2026 NEURO World Retreat. A 5-day journey through science, nature, and community, on the California coastline: https://www.neuroworldretreat.com/

'Your Brain On... Cheese' • SEASON 6 • EPISODE 6

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LINKS

The study, 'High- and Low-Fat Dairy Consumption and Long-Term Risk of Dementia: Evidence From a 25-Year Prospective Cohort Study': https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41406402/

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FOLLOW US

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Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thebraindocs

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/thebraindocs

More info and episodes: TheBrainDocs.com/Podcast

Chemotherapy saves lives. But for millions, it also comes with side effects of cognitive fog, memory lapses, slowed thinking, and emotional flattening.

In the past, 'chemo brain' has sometimes been dismissed as anecdotal. But, as science has evolved, we've come to understand the very real shifts in attention, memory, processing speed, and emotional regulation underpinning the impairment.

In this episode, we break down what's happening in the brain during treatment, why these changes arise, and how healthier lifestyle choices can support our recovery.

In this episode, we explore:

• What 'chemo brain' really is (and why chemotherapy itself isn't the only thing contributing to it) • How inflammation, hormonal shifts, anesthesia, sleep disruption, and chronic stress impact cognition during cancer • The latest research on structural and functional brain changes during treatment • Why many cognitive effects are temporary (and how neuroplasticity supports recovery) • How cognitive fog intersects with identity loss and grief • The role of nutrition in supporting clarity, energy, memory, and mood during chemotherapy • How to navigate food fears, misinformation, and "miracle cancer diets" • The importance of gentle movement, sleep consistency, and stress management • How patients can advocate for themselves (including tips on what to discuss with their care team)

Bringing their perspectives and expertise to this episode are two wonderful guests:

• DR. LIZ O'RIORDAN: retired breast surgeon, author, and three-time breast cancer survivor, whose personal and clinical experience offers a rare, deeply human insight into cancer-related cognitive change. • NICHOLE ANDREWS, RDN: oncology dietitian, educator, and advocate for evidence-based, fear-free nutrition during and after cancer treatment.

"Your Brain On..." is hosted by neurologists, scientists, and public health advocates Drs. Ayesha and Dean Sherzai.

SUPPORTED BY: the 2026 NEURO World Retreat. A 5-day journey through science, nature, and community, on the California coastline: https://www.neuroworldretreat.com/

'Your Brain On... Parkinson's' • SEASON 6 • EPISODE 5

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LINKS

Dr. Liz O'Riordan: Website: https://liz.oriordan.co.uk/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/oriordanliz/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC_t0jGeR8M4vCPSb68itjRQ

Nichole Andrews, RDN: Website: https://theoncologydietitian.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/oncology.nutrition.rd/

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FOLLOW US

Join NEURO World: https://neuro.world/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thebraindocs YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/thebraindocs More info and episodes: TheBrainDocs.com/Podcast

From 18th century London to the promise of a global cure: the 200-year history of Parkinson's disease.

To mark the release of our 'Ask the MD' conversation with The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson's Research, and to welcome a new influx of listeners, we're sharing one of our very first episodes, first aired in August 2024.

Watch our full 'Ask the MD' interview, focused on lifestyle strategies for boosting brain health, on the foundation's website: https://www.michaeljfox.org/news/lifestyle-strategies-boost-brain-health-ask-md-video

Parkinson's, a neurodegenerative disorder most commonly characterized by tremors and other motor symptoms, is so complex, many medical professionals are starting to classify it as a group of diseases, rather than a single disease.

In this episode, we explain those complexities, including:

• The motor symptoms (e.g. cogwheel rigidity, bradykinesia) and non-motor symptoms (e.g. depression, sleep disorders)

• How the industrial revolution may have brought about environmental factors which contribute to Parkinson's

• The differences and similarities between Parkinson's and other neurodegenerative diseases, like Alzheimer's

• How Parkinson's manifests in our brains

• Why one nurse was able to detect Parkinson's through smell

• The neurogenetics of Parkinson's, and the ethical quandaries of evolving genetic technology

• Why lifestyle — nutrition, exercise, etc. — is so key to preventing and managing Parkinson's

Joining us for this extensive conversation are three incredible guests:

• Dr. Rachel Dolhun, Senior Vice President of Medical Communications at The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson's Research

• Dr. Michael Okun, evolutionary biologist, movement disorders specialist, and Director of the Norman Fixel Institute for Neurological Diseases

• Dr. Matthew Farrer, neurogenetics expert and Professor Of Neurology at the University of Florida

'Your Brain On' is hosted by neurologists, scientists, and public health advocates Ayesha and Dean Sherzai.

SUPPORTED BY: the 2026 NEURO World Retreat. A 5-day journey through science, nature, and community, on the California coastline: https://www.neuroworldretreat.com/

'Your Brain On... Parkinson's' • SEASON 6 • EPISODE 4 (SEASON 3 REUPLOAD)

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LINKS

Dr. Rachel Dolhun:

At the Michael J. Fox Foundation: https://www.michaeljfox.org/bio/rachel-dolhun-md-dipablm

'Ask the MD' series: https://www.michaeljfox.org/ask-md

The Michael J. Fox Foundation on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@michaeljfoxfoundation/videos

Dr. Michael Okun:

At the University of Florida: https://neurology.ufl.edu/profile/okun-michael/

The book 'Ending Parkinson's Disease': https://endingpd.org/

The Norman Fixel Institute: https://fixel.ufhealth.org/

Dr. Matthew Farrer:

At the University of Florida: https://neurology.ufl.edu/profile/farrer-matthew/

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References:

1. Bloem, B. R., Okun, M. S., & Klein, C. (2021). Parkinson's disease. The Lancet, 397(10291), 2284-2303.

2. Morris, H. R., Spillantini, M. G., Sue, C. M., & Williams-Gray, C. H. (2024). The pathogenesis of Parkinson's disease. The Lancet, 403(10423), 293-304.

3. Dorsey, E., Sherer, T., Okun, M. S., & Bloem, B. R. (2018). The emerging evidence of the Parkinson pandemic. Journal of Parkinson's disease, 8(s1), S3-S8.

4. Dorsey, E. R., Okun, M. S., & Tanner, C. M. (2021). Bad Air and Parkinson Disease—The Fog May Be Lifting. JAMA neurology, 78(7), 793-795.

5. Tsalenchuk, M., Gentleman, S. M., & Marzi, S. J. (2023). Linking environmental risk factors with epigenetic mechanisms in Parkinson's disease. npj Parkinson's Disease, 9(1), 123.

6. Reynoso, A., Torricelli, R., Jacobs, B. M., Shi, J., Aslibekyan, S., Norcliffe‐Kaufmann, L., ... & Heilbron, K. (2024). Gene–Environment Interactions for Parkinson's Disease. Annals of Neurology, 95(4), 677-687.

7. Golsorkhi, M., Sherzai, A., & Dashtipour, K. The Influence of Lifestyle on Parkinson's Disease Management. In Lifestyle Medicine, Fourth Edition (pp. 919-924). CRC Press.

8. Sherzai, A. Z., Tagliati, M., Park, K., Pezeshkian, S., & Sherzai, D. (2016). Micronutrients and risk of Parkinson's disease: a systematic review. Gerontology and geriatric medicine, 2, 2333721416644286.

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Website: TheBrainDocs.com

More info and episodes: TheBrainDocs.com/Podcast

Carnivorous diets have been woven into our history for millennia, but, with nutrition science advancing at an unprecedented pace over the past century... do we really still need to be eating meat?

We live in a time of rising chronic disease, new longevity research, and a growing awareness of how our food choices shape our brain and our planet.

We're also constantly exposed to 'nutrition tribalism': social media communicators and influencers building identities (and livelihoods) around polarizing dietary debates.

It's a lot to navigate. So, we're cutting straight to the data in this episode.

Plus: we're pulling on the work and research we've done in many different communities to explore how going plant-based can be as much a cultural or logistical hurdle as a health-driven or ethics-based choice.

In this episode, we discuss:

• Whether protein deficiency is a realistic concern

• Protein myths: plant vs. animal

• What the actual protein science says (and why most Americans already get more than enough)

• The role of saturated fat, fiber, and the microbiome

• Processed vs. unprocessed meat — what matters most

• How identity, culture, and family can make going plant-based challenging

• How cooking method changes risk (yes, barbecue lovers… we go there)

• Meat alternatives: healthful option or "ultra-processed trap"?

• Practical, non-judgmental guidance for plant-forward or omnivorous eaters

To give this divisive matter the nuance it deserves, we welcome three of the most authoritative voices in this space:

DR. CHRISTOPHER GARDNER: the Stanford nutrition scientist behind landmark diet trials (including DIETFITS).

DR. ADRIAN CHAVEZ: a nutrition researcher, educator, and consultant, who previously joined us for 'Your Brain On... Supplements'.

DR. MATTHEW NAGRA: a nutritionist and science communicator, who you might remember from 'Your Brain On... Protein'.

This is... Your Brain On Eating Meat.

SUPPORTED BY: the 2026 NEURO World Retreat. A 5-day journey through science, nature, and community, on the California coastline: https://www.neuroworldretreat.com/

'Your Brain On' is hosted by neurologists, scientists, and public health advocates Ayesha and Dean Sherzai.

'Your Brain On... Eating Meat' • SEASON 6 • EPISODE 3

LINKS

Dr. Christopher Gardner

Dr. Christopher Gardner at Stanford: https://med.stanford.edu/profiles/christopher-gardner

Dr. Christopher Gardner on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cgardnerphd

Dr. Adrian Chavez

Dr. Adrian Chavez on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dr.adrian.chavez

Dr. Adrian Chavez's website: https://www.dradrianchavez.com/

Dr. Adrian Chavez's Podcast: https://www.thenutritionsciencepodcast.com/

Dr. Matt Nagra

Dr. Matt Nagra on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dr.matthewnagra

Dr. Matt Nagra's website: https://drmatthewnagra.com/

Everyone eats. It's the one thing we all have in common. And yet, nutrition has become one of the most confusing, divisive, and misunderstood sciences in modern life.

Low-fat. High-fat. Keto. Vegan. Paleo. Superfoods. For every study, there's a headline that seems to say the opposite.

In this episode, we turn to one of the most trusted voices in nutrition research to cut through the noise: Dr. Walter Willett, MD, DrPH.

Dr. Willett, Professor of Epidemiology and Nutrition at Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, has spent more than four decades studying how what we eat affects our health, longevity, and brain function. His work has helped reshape dietary guidelines around the world, replacing fear and fads with clarity and evidence.

Together, we unpack what the science really says about diet and the brain: how food choices shape inflammation, cognition, and long-term disease risk, and what practical lessons decades of data can teach us about eating for life and longevity.

In this conversation, we discuss:

• How nutrition became so confusing (and what the data actually shows) • Why the quality of fat matters more than the amount • How refined carbohydrates fuel inflammation, insulin resistance, and brain fog • The power of fiber and the microbiome for mood and memory • Why plant-based proteins come out ahead for health and sustainability • How global dietary guidelines are changing (and what's still misunderstood) • The intersection of nutrition, planetary health, and human wellbeing

Dr. Walter Willett has authored over 2,000 scientific papers and several landmark books, including 'Eat, Drink, and Be Healthy'.

This is... Your Brain On Nutrition.

SUPPORTED BY: the 2026 NEURO World Retreat. A 5-day journey through science, nature, and community, on the California coastline: https://www.neuroworldretreat.com/

'Your Brain On' is hosted by neurologists, scientists, and public health advocates Ayesha and Dean Sherzai.

'Your Brain On... Nutrition' • SEASON 6 • EPISODE 2

LINKS

Dr. Walter Willett at Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health: https://hsph.harvard.edu/profile/walter-c-willett/

Dr. Willett's book, 'Eat, Drink, and Be Healthy': https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/5579.Eat_Drink_and_Be_Healthy

FOLLOW US

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Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thebraindocs

YouTube: https://youtube.com/thebraindocs

Website: https://thebraindocs.com/

Autism isn't new, but our understanding of it has changed dramatically.

It's now recognized as a broad neurodevelopmental spectrum that shapes how millions of people perceive, process, and interact with the world.

In this episode, we explore what autism is AND isn't, from its earliest signs in infancy to its deep genetic roots, and why misinformation about it continues to spread.

We speak with three remarkable experts leading the field in early detection, genetics, and public education:

DR. AMI KLIN, PhD, Director of the Marcus Autism Center at Emory University and a pioneer in early autism research, whose work shows autism can be identified in babies as young as two months old.

DR. JOSEPH BUXBAUM, PhD, Director of the Seaver Autism Center at Mount Sinai and a global leader in autism genetics, uncovering hundreds of genes linked to the condition.

DR. ANDREA LOVE, immunologist, microbiologist, and founder of ImmunoLogic, known for her clear, evidence-based communication about vaccines, immunity, and autism myths.

Together, we discuss:

• What autism really is, and how the definitions have evolved • How it develops in infancy (and why early diagnosis can be so critical) • The powerful genetic evidence behind autism • The persistence of vaccine myths, and how misinformation spreads • How technology like eye-tracking can detect autism early • The rise of "profound autism" and what it means for families • The future of genetics-based treatments and therapy

Whether you're autistic yourself, a parent navigating a new diagnosis, or simply seeking understanding, we're thrilled to share this extensive, in-depth episode with you.

This is... Your Brain On Autism.

SUPPORTED BY: the 2026 NEURO World Retreat. A 5-day journey through science, nature, and community, on the California coastline: https://www.neuroworldretreat.com/

'Your Brain On' is hosted by neurologists, scientists, and public health advocates Ayesha and Dean Sherzai.

'Your Brain On... Autism' • SEASON 6 • EPISODE 1

LINKS

Dr. Ami Klin at Emory University: https://ctsn.emory.edu/faculty/klin-ami.html

Dr. Ami Klin at Marcus Autism Center: https://www.marcus.org/about-marcus-autism-center/meet-our-leadership/ami-klin

Dr. Joseph Buxbaum at Mount Sinai: https://profiles.icahn.mssm.edu/joseph-d-buxbaum

Dr. Andrea Love's website: https://www.immunologic.org/

Dr. Andrea Love on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dr.andrealove

REFERENCES

Autism Spectrum Disorder: A Review. JAMA, 2023. https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jama/article-abstract/2800182 Is There a Bias Towards Males in the Diagnosis of Autism? A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s11065-023-09630-2 Acetaminophen Use During Pregnancy and Children's Risk of Autism, ADHD, and Intellectual Disability. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38592388/ Eye-Tracking–Based Measurement of Social Visual Engagement Compared With Expert Clinical Diagnosis of Autism. https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jama/fullarticle/2808996 Rare coding variation provides insight into the genetic architecture and phenotypic context of autism. https://www.nature.com/articles/s41588-022-01104-0 Rare coding variation illuminates the allelic architecture, risk genes, cellular expression patterns, and phenotypic context of autism. https://www.medrxiv.org/content/10.1101/2021.12.20.21267194v1 Andrew Wakefield and the fabricated history of the alleged vaccine-autism link. https://geneticliteracyproject.org/2024/04/29/andrew-wakefield-and-the-fabricated-history-of-the-alleged-vaccine-autism-link/

VACCINES & AUTISM

1. Major Cohort Studies

Hviid et al., 2019 – Annals of Internal Medicine A nationwide study of 657,461 Danish children found no increased risk of autism in vaccinated children compared to unvaccinated peers — even among those with risk factors such as a sibling with autism. Ann Intern Med. 2019;170(8):513–520

Madsen et al., 2002 – New England Journal of Medicine In 537,303 Danish children, researchers found no difference in autism rates between vaccinated and unvaccinated groups, and no relationship with age, timing, or date of vaccination. NEJM. 2002;347:1477–1482

Jain et al., 2015 – Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) A U.S. cohort of 95,727 children — including those with siblings with autism — showed no link between MMR vaccination and autism risk, even in genetically predisposed children. JAMA. 2015;313(15):1534–1540

Madsen et al., 2003 – JAMA A study of 467,450 Danish children found no relationship between thimerosal-containing vaccines and autism. JAMA. 2003;290(13):1763–1766

DeStefano et al., 2022 – Vaccine A retrospective cohort of over 500,000 U.S. children with ASD found no increase in adverse events or worsening of autism-related symptoms following vaccination. Vaccine. 2022;40(16):2391–2398

2. Population-Level Epidemiologic Evidence

Taylor et al., 1999 – The Lancet One of the earliest large epidemiological studies found autism prevalence was the same in vaccinated and unvaccinated children, and the age of onset was unrelated to the timing of MMR vaccination. Read: Lancet. 1999;353(9169):2026–2029

Institute of Medicine (U.S.) Immunization Safety Review, 2011 A global review of studies from the U.S., Denmark, Sweden, and the U.K. concluded there is no causal relationship between vaccination status and autism, and no plausible biological mechanism linking vaccines (including thimerosal) to ASD. Read: National Academies Press / PubMed 20669467

3. Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses

Taylor et al., 2014 – Vaccine A comprehensive meta-analysis of 10 studies including over 1.2 million children found no association between vaccination and autism or ASD. Vaccine. 2014;32(29):3623–3629

Maglione et al., 2014 – Pediatrics Review of 67 high-quality studies covering the full U.S. immunization schedule concluded that vaccines are safe, adverse events are rare, and there is no link to autism, type 1 diabetes, or other chronic conditions. Pediatrics. 2014;134(2):325–337

Parker et al., 2004 – Pediatrics Systematic review of 10 primary studies examining thimerosal exposure found no relationship between vaccines and ASD. Authors noted that studies showing an association were methodologically flawed or biased, while robust studies consistently showed safety. Pediatrics. 2004;113(6):1904–1910

Offit & Hackett, 2003 – Clinical Infectious Diseases Review of immunology and epidemiology concluded that claims that vaccines "overwhelm" or "damage" the immune system are not biologically plausible based on how the immune system actually functions. Clin Infect Dis. 2003;46(9):1450–1456

Behind the staggering statistics on global diabetes prevalence are millions of individuals with different stories, struggles, and solutions.

In this episode, we explore how diabetes affects your brain, body, and cognition, and how it can be prevented, managed, and (in many cases) reversed.

We share some powerful personal stories from the clinic, bust some persistent food myths, and learn why diabetes is as much a neurological emergency as a metabolic one.

Plus, we speak to three leading experts who are changing the way we treat diabetes:

BRENDA DAVIS, RD: renowned dietitian and global authority on plant-based nutrition.

DR. MICHELLE MCMACKEN, MD: Executive Director of Nutrition and Lifestyle Medicine at NYC Health + Hospitals, Associate Professor at NYU, and public health leader.

DR. THEODORE FRIEDMAN: Professor and Chair of Internal Medicine at Charles Drew University.

In this episode, we discuss:

• The difference between Type 1, Type 2, and prediabetes • How diabetes can contribute to cognitive decline • The role of lipotoxicity and intramuscular fat in insulin resistance • Why "cutting carbs" isn't the full story (and how to focus on food quality) • How public health systems are evolving to make prevention accessible and equitable • The real science behind CGMs (and why glucose spikes shouldn't cause a panic) • How new drugs like Ozempic can support (but not replace) lifestyle change

This is... Your Brain On Diabetes.

SUPPORTED BY: NEURO World. Help your brain thrive, now and into the future: https://neuro.world/

'Your Brain On' is hosted by neurologists, scientists, and public health advocates Ayesha and Dean Sherzai.

'Your Brain On... Diabetes' • SEASON 5 • EPISODE 10 [FINALE]

Season 6, coming soon!

LINKS

Brenda Davis' website: https://brendadavisrd.com/

Dr. McMacken at NYC Health: https://med.nyu.edu/faculty/michelle-mcmacken

Dr. Theodore Friedman at CDU: https://www.cdrewu.edu/directory/friedman-md-phd-theodore/

Alzheimer's disease is constantly surrounded by myths and misinformation. Let's set the record straight.

In this episode, we bust through the most persistent Alzheimer's myths, with facts based on decades of clinical experience and cutting-edge research.

Myths include:

• "Alzheimer's is inevitable in old age"

• "It's all genetic, and there's nothing you can do"

• "There's no cure, so diagnosis is useless"

• "Supplements and vitamins can prevent or cure Alzheimer's"

• "Statins and vaccines cause Alzheimer's"

Plus many others.

We also share our science-backed insights and practical tips for helping you prevent cognitive decline, starting TODAY.

'Your Brain On... Alzheimer's (Mythbusting Special)' • SEASON 5 • EPISODE 9

SUPPORTED BY: NEURO World. Help your brain thrive, now and into the future: https://neuro.world/

'Your Brain On' is hosted by neurologists, scientists, and public health advocates Ayesha and Dean Sherzai.

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