<p>Dr. Axel Montagne is a chancellor's fellow and group leader at the UK Dementia Research Institute at the University of Edinburgh Centre for Clinical Brain Sciences. His group aims to understand how, when, and where critical components of the <strong>blood-brain barrier</strong> become dysfunctional preceding dementia and in the earliest stages of age-related cognitive decline. With this knowledge, they hope to develop precise treatments targeting brain vasculature to protect brain function.</p> <p>More importantly his work, and that of his colleagues, provide a critical lens through which to view the contributions of <strong>vascular dysfunction</strong> (or, conversely, vascular health – if we choose to preserve it) as a critical common thread in dementia and neurodegeneration.</p> <p><strong>In this episode, we discuss:</strong></p> <ul> <li dir="ltr"><strong>(00:00)</strong> Introduction to Dr. Axel Montagne</li> <li dir="ltr"><strong>(11:44)</strong> What dementias have in common</li> <li dir="ltr"><strong>(12:42)</strong> The importance of preserving small blood vessels (in the brain)</li> <li dir="ltr"><strong>(13:38)</strong> Changes in the blood-brain barrier in aging that cause "leaking"</li> <li dir="ltr"><strong>(15:11)</strong> Predicting cognitive decline early with biomarkers – an opportunity for intervention?</li> <li dir="ltr"><strong>(16:32)</strong> Why targeting amyloid isn't enough</li> <li dir="ltr"><strong>(18:54)</strong> The impact of the <em>APOE4</em> genotype on brain vasculature</li> <li dir="ltr"><strong>(24:19)</strong> The cause of white matter damage in the brain</li> <li dir="ltr"><strong>(33:47)</strong> Why the loss of omega-3 transport affects pericytes</li> <li dir="ltr"><strong>(35:25)</strong> The role of exercise in prevention of blood-brain barrier dysfunction</li> <li dir="ltr"><strong>(35:45)</strong> Why high heart rates during exercise preserve brain function</li> <li dir="ltr"><strong>(36:49)</strong> The role of exercise in preserving vision health</li> <li dir="ltr"><strong>(40:17)</strong> Why leaky vessels damage myelin and the brain</li> <li dir="ltr"><strong>(45:31)</strong> Can you have more than one type of dementia?</li> <li dir="ltr"><strong>(47:54)</strong> Does the breakdown of the blood-brain barrier cause "type 3 diabetes"?</li> <li dir="ltr"><strong>(54:03)</strong> Why omega-3 may prevent detachment of pericytes</li> <li dir="ltr"><strong>(1:14:35)</strong> Why a hepatitis drug restored cognition in <em>APOE4</em> mice</li> <li dir="ltr"><strong>(1:19:39)</strong> Why blood-brain barrier disruption results in the accumulation of amyloid-beta</li> <li dir="ltr"><strong>(1:25:14)</strong> Why lifetime hypertension increases dementia risk</li> <li dir="ltr"><strong>(1:37:13)</strong> Effects of obesity on blood-brain barrier leakage</li> </ul> <p dir="ltr"><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lChdNK0I8bw&t=00h00m00s">Watch this episode on YouTube</a></p> <p dir="ltr"><a href="https://www.foundmyfitness.com/episodes/axel-montagne">Show notes are available by clicking here</a></p> <p dir="ltr">Join over 300,000 people and get the latest distilled information straight to your inbox several times per month: <a href="https://www.foundmyfitness.com/newsletter">https://www.foundmyfitness.com/newsletter</a></p> <p dir="ltr">Become a FoundMyFitness premium member to get access to exclusive episodes, emails, live Q+A's with Rhonda and more: <a href="https://www.foundmyfitness.com/crowdsponsor">https://www.foundmyfitness.com/premium</a></p> <p dir="ltr">Learn more about the premium podcast <em>The Aliquot</em>: <a href="https://www.foundmyfitness.com/aliquot">https://www.foundmyfitness.com/aliquot</a></p> <p> </p>
Actionable Insights
1. Engage in Vigorous Exercise
Engage in regular, ideally vigorous exercise that achieves a high heart rate to support the vascular system, prevent tiny blood vessels from collapsing, and maintain healthy brain function, especially if prone to cognitive decline.
2. Control Blood Pressure Early
Prioritize early blood pressure control, particularly in younger adulthood (30s-40s), as sustained hypertension over many years is a critical cumulative exposure factor that promotes white matter damage and accelerates cognitive decline.
3. Ensure Adequate Omega-3 DHA
Ensure adequate intake of omega-3 DHA, as it supports blood-brain barrier integrity, helps resolve inflammation, and may prevent white matter dysfunction and reduce fibrinogen levels.
4. Reduce Chronic Inflammation
Adopt a healthy lifestyle that reduces chronic inflammation, as inflammation is a central pillar of aging and neurodegenerative diseases, leading to vascular dysfunction, pericyte detachment, and blood-brain barrier leakage.
5. Maintain Healthy Weight
Maintain a healthy weight and avoid obesity, as obesity is linked to gray matter atrophy in critical brain regions and its effects on the brain mimic those of Alzheimer’s disease, also associated with higher levels of pro-inflammatory markers impacting barrier function.
6. Avoid Chronic Heavy Alcohol
Avoid chronic heavy alcohol consumption, as it impacts vascular function, leads to a leakier blood-brain barrier, and increases inflammation, which impairs pericyte functions and can accelerate dementia development.
7. Reduce Air Pollution Exposure
Reduce exposure to air pollution and airborne particles, potentially by using filters or masks in highly polluted areas, as pollution causes rapid blood-brain barrier breakdown and pericyte degeneration.
8. Practice Regular Sauna Use
Consider regular sauna use, ideally 4-7 times a week, as it is associated with a significantly lower dementia and Alzheimer’s risk and offers physiological benefits comparable to moderate aerobic exercise for vascular function.
9. Lower High Homocysteine
Lower high homocysteine levels, potentially through supplementation with B6, B12, and folate, as high homocysteine is associated with brain dysfunction and dementia, and lowering it can improve cognition and blood-brain barrier markers.