Dr. William “Bill” Jagust, renowned expert in brain science and Alzheimer’s research - and one of the reasons Matt chose to move to UC Berkeley - joins our host today for an in-depth discussion on aging, cognitive decline, and the critical role of neuroimaging, with some sleep talk woven in as well. Dr. Jagust shares groundbreaking insights into how PET scans can detect amyloid and tau proteins in the brain—two key contributors to Alzheimer’s disease—years before symptoms emerge. Together with Matt he goes on to explore the connection between these proteins and brain aging, highlighting the power of biomarkers and advanced imaging in tracking the disease's progression. Our esteemed guest also emphasizes that early detection and intervention are crucial in slowing Alzheimer's progression, but warns that once neurons are damaged, the brain has minimal capacity to repair itself. He further discusses lifestyle choices such as exercise, diet, and sleep, which can lower the risk of cognitive decline, and dives into emerging research on genetic factors like the APOE4 gene. The episode concludes with a hopeful outlook on the future of Alzheimer’s research, offering insights into potential preventive treatments.

Please note that Matt is not a medical doctor, and none of the content in this podcast should be considered medical advice in any way, shape, or form, nor prescriptive in any way.

Support for today’s podcast comes from Magic Spoon. I’ve always loved cereal, but focusing on wellness meant giving it up due to unhealthy ingredients. Enter Magic Spoon, introduced to me by Dr. Peter Attia. Their high-protein, low-sugar cereals transformed my mornings, and now, they've added Magic Spoon Treats, packed with 11g of protein, 1g of sugar, and only 4 net carbs in flavors including chocolate, peanut butter, and strawberry milkshake, And, thanks to their generosity, you can now take advantage of a special offer: Get $5 off at magicspoon.com/mattwalker. Enjoy!

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As always, if you have thoughts or feedback you’d like to share, please reach out to Matt on Instagram.

#81 - Aging, Alzheimer’s, and Sleep with Dr. William Jagust

The Matt Walker Podcast