This is a preview of the latest special edition of 5HT+. As a reminder, your weekly dose of 5HT will continue to hit your inbox. But these lengthier breakdowns (one topic, 10 parts) are exclusive for 5HT+ members. This month, we’re focusing on Alzheimer’s and dementia prevention. Researching this was tough—I wanted to write it, but also this hit so close to home for me that there was an added extra burden here. (Maybe that’s true for you, too.) To gain full access to this edition (and future ones), upgrade your membership.
#1 It’s personal
My journey into Alzheimer’s prevention is deeply personal.
My mother was diagnosed with early-onset Alzheimer’s in her early 60s, and we essentially lost her by 65. Genetic testing revealed she carries two copies of APOE4, giving her an estimated ~60% chance of developing Alzheimer’s by age 85. Watching her disappear while still alive was the most heartbreaking thing I’ve experienced, and it changed my priorities forever. ❤️
My brother and I also each carry one copy of APOE4 allele 🧬 (discovered via 23andMe), which means our own risk is elevated. Two copies increase the risk eight to 12-fold, but even one copy roughly doubles or triples the risk.
Knowing I carry APOE4 is hard—but it also gives me a head-start and a chance to intervene decades before any symptoms appear. So rather than feeling helpless, I’ve channeled this into action: Devouring research on brain health 🧠, overhauling my lifestyle, and turning the abstract idea of prevention into a lifelong mission.
This isn’t just my story—it’s unfortunately (and alarmingly) common. About 1 in 4 (!) people carry at least one APOE4 gene, and Alzheimer’s has a seismic impact emotionally, financially, and more on so many people.
This 5HT+ is about what I’m doing to fight back—and what we all can do.
#2 Alzheimer’s 101
‼️What we know
Today, 57 million people worldwide live with dementia, a disease that costs the world an estimated $1.3 trillion. Alzheimer's is the most common cause of dementia, accounting for 60-70% of cases. In the U.S. alone, 7.2M people over 65 live with Alzheimer's, and that number is projected to nearly double by 2050 📈 (!).
The most common symptoms associated with Alzheimer’s are memory loss that disrupts daily life, difficulty planning or solving problems, trouble completing familiar tasks, confusion with time or place, and changes in mood, personality, or behavior.
But Alzheimer’s doesn’t just steal memories—it was the 6th leading cause of death among U.S. seniors in 2022 😔, killing more people than breast and prostate cancer combined. It’s also a top driver of disability and dependency among older adults globally. Also, more than 11 million family members and unpaid caregivers provided ~18.4 billion hours of care for people with Alzheimer’s or other dementias in 2023, underscoring just how many this disease touches.
The biggest risk factors are 🕰️ age (a person is more likely to get Alzheimer’s as they get older), ♀️gender (women are more likely to develop Alzheimer’s than men), and 🧬 genes (both familial and risk genes—like APOE4). Those risk factors can’t be changed—but others, like lifestyle and chronic health conditions, can.
For decades, two microscopic culprits in the brain have largely defined Alzheimer’s. First observed 🔍 nearly a century ago by Alois Alzheimer (yes, the disease is named after him), they remain the signature features of the disease today.
Amyloid-beta plaques (sticky clumps of protein between neurons)
Tau neurofibrillary tangles (twisted protein fibers inside neurons)
❓What we don’t know
Believe it or not, we still don’t know what exactly causes Alzheimer’s disease 😳🧩. The leading theory is that amyloid buildup triggers a chain reaction that kills brain cells. As the disease progresses, the brain shrinks, especially in memory-critical areas, and neurons die off. Here’s a metaphor I like for all this:
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🔑 Unlock 5HT+ to read this full Special Edition (and others to come). What you're missing is the breakthroughs in Alzheimers research I'm most excited about, lifestyle changes that can help reduce risk, the supplements I’m taking to protect my brain, and my personal prevention plan. Upgrade to a paid subscription now.
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