Dementia affects most of us one way or another, whether caring for parents or worrying about our own health and future. Today’s guest, neuropsychologist, Dr Mitchell Clionsky, talks to Jo about the latest research, reasons for hope and what we can do to decrease our risk.

Key takeaways:
Surprising facts about dementia: 50% of dementias are preventable and less than 5% of dementias are genetically caused.
There are no “dementiaologists”
Childhood trauma can play a role in dementia risk
Higher Education can have a protective effect on the brain
Midlife medical conditions increase risk, especially:

• • Hypertension
  • Diabetes
  • lack of exercise
  • sleep apnea
  • hearing loss
  • depression
  • stress

There is a link between sleep apnea and

• • gout
  • erectile dysfunction
  • frequent night peeing
  • alcohol consumption - 3 or more drinks per night is considered dangerous, binge-drinking more so

You can buy Dr Clionsky’s book, co-written with his wife, Emily Clionsky MD, here: Dementia Prevention: Using Your Head to Save Your Brain (Johns Hopkins Press) https://amzn.to/3KK5pZ3


About the Authors
EMILY CLIONSKY, MD, completed residencies in internal medicine and in psychiatry, and is a diplomate of the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology.
MITCHELL CLIONSKY, PhD, is a board-certified neuropsychologist who specializes in evaluating and treating patients with cognitive impairment, dementia, ADHD, and traumatic brain injury.

A husband-and-wife team, they have a combined 70 years of professional and clinical experience in medicine and neuropsychology and have treated 20,000 patients. They partner at a private practice, Clionsky Neuro Systems, Inc., based in Springfield, Massachusetts.
More information - and the dementia risk assessment Jo and Mitchell discuss - is available on their website: www.BRAINDOC.com

About the Midlife and Beyond Podcast Like all transitions, midlife can be messy and sad and glorious all at once, leaving many midlife women feeling rather alone and somewhat invisible. But what does this transition we are experiencing lead to?
 
I'm Jo Blackwell, a photographer, author and coach for women who want more from their lives post 50 and I'm here to remind you that if we manage our health and embrace it, growing older can lead to one of the greatest periods of growth and transformation of our lives.
 
The Midlife Movement was created to change minds about midlife and growing older, one story at a time. Because we only become invisible when when we stop seeing ourselves. email jo@joblackwell.co.uk to take part in the podcast or suggest guests.
 
See The Midlife & Beyond section of my website for more information and resources to help you navigate change with less stress and more joy! www.joblackwell.co.uk
 
#dementia #midlife #dementiaprevention