Sigma Nutrition Radio #595: Neuroplasticity and Reducing Risk of Cognitive Impairment – Dr. Majid Fotuhi
23 snips
Feb 24, 2026 
Dr. Majid Fotuhi, neurologist and Johns Hopkins adjunct professor known for work on neuroplasticity and brain-health programs. He explains lifelong neuroplasticity and how modifiable risks like sleep, diet, exercise, stress and cognitive training shape cognition. He describes a multimodal 12-week approach, how to judge brain-health claims, and why genes increase risk but do not determine destiny.
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Most Cognitive Decline Is Modifiable
- Cognitive decline reflects the brain changing for the worse driven by modifiable risk factors.
- Fotuhi lists insomnia, obesity, diabetes and chronic stress as common drivers that accelerate age-related decline.
Prioritize Proven Five Pillars
- Rely on placebo-controlled human studies and established sources rather than single observational or animal findings.
- Fotuhi recommends five evidence-based pillars: exercise, diet, sleep, stress reduction and brain training.
12 Week Multimodal Clinic Program Improved Cognition
- Fotuhi developed a 12‑week multimodal clinic program that assessed individual risk factors and provided coaching on exercise, sleep, diet, medication and brain training.
- He reports 84% of older patients showed objective cognitive improvements on computer tests at 12 weeks.
