Is blindness truly irreversible? What if the boundaries between neurology and ophthalmology are dissolving right before our eyes? In this episode of The Healthy Brain Toolbox, I sit down with Dr. Rudrani Banik, a visionary neuro-ophthalmologist and integrative medicine expert. We explore gene therapy, regenerative medicine, light therapy, AI diagnostics, and smart glasses that are not just preserving vision but, in some cases, restoring it. From rare genetic disorders to age-related macular degeneration, these breakthroughs are offering hope where there was none.

Key Takeaways

• Gene therapy miracles: From blindness to sight with a single injection
• Regenerative eye care: Growing new retinal cells in labs like sci-fi come true
• Photobiomodulation: Healing eyes with red and infrared light
• AI in ophthalmology: When your eye doctor is also a robot
• Lifestyle meets eyesight: Why kale might save your vision more than injections

About the Guest: Dr. Rudrani Banik is a board-certified neuro-ophthalmologist and Associate Professor of Ophthalmology at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, NYC. Certified in Integrative and Functional Medicine, she combines cutting-edge medical care with nutrition, lifestyle, and functional strategies to protect and restore vision. Dr. Banik is a two-time best-selling author, host of The Eye-Q Podcast, and founder of The Eye Summit™, with expertise featured on Good Morning America, The New York Times, CBS, NBC, and more.

Additional Resources

• Website: www.drranibanik.com
• LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/rudrani-banik-m-d-83019584
• Instagram: www.instagram.com/dr.ranibanik
• YouTube: www.youtube.com/channel/UC8mIi8P9tXSRXXwEdNX6aRw
• Podcast: The Eye-Q Podcast - Podcast - Apple Podcasts
• Facebook: www.facebook.com/EnVisionHealthNYC/?_rdc=1&_rdr#
• X: https://x.com/RudraniBanikMD

Books

• Beyond Carrots: Best Foods For Eye Health A to Z
• Dr. Rani's Visionary Kitchen: Over 200 Recipes For Healthy Vision (Beyond Carrots Book 2)
• Dr. Rani's Plant-Based Visionary Kitchen: Over 130 Plant-Based Recipes for Healthy Vision (Beyond Carrots Book 3)
• The Beyond Carrots VEGETARIAN

From the Toolbox to Your Life:

1. Subscribe to The Healthy Brain Toolbox on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and YouTube to stay informed, inspired, and equipped with cutting-edge insights in brain health and integrative medicine.
2. Know a colleague, patient, or loved one who could benefit from this episode? Share it with someone navigating their cognitive health journey—or someone building a mission-driven, holistic practice. Let’s amplify awareness and spark transformation together.
3. If you found this episode valuable, please consider leaving a review. Your support helps us reach more listeners and continue bringing brain-savvy, soul-centered insights to the world.
4. Join the conversation. Connect with me on social media for clinical pearls, practical strategies, and empowering conversations at the intersection of brain health and whole-person care.

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What if detecting Alzheimer’s was as easy as a finger prick at home?

In this episode, I’m joined by Dr. Rany Aburashed, CEO & Founder of Neurogen Biomarking, to discuss a major shift in how we may soon detect Alzheimer’s disease—moving beyond spinal taps and PET scans to blood-based biomarkers and digital diagnostic tools.

We explore why early detection matters, what these emerging tools could mean for patients and families, and how innovation is reshaping the future of neurology. It’s a forward-looking conversation grounded in real science, real hope, and just enough intrigue to leave you wanting more.

🎧If you’re curious about where Alzheimer’s diagnostics are headed next, this episode will give you plenty to think about.

Key Takeaways

• The century-long journey from brain autopsies to blood-based diagnostics
• Why diagnosing Alzheimer’s early is so tricky—and how that’s changing
• The science (and drama) behind PET scans, spinal taps, and policy roadblocks
• What blood-based biomarkers like p-tau217 and amyloid ratios really tell us
• How Neurogen Biomarking is making at-home Alzheimer’s testing a reality
• The ethical and emotional side of knowing your Alzheimer’s risk
• Why neurologists are saying goodbye to “diagnose and adios”

About the Guest: Dr. Rany Aburashed is a neurologist and innovator at the forefront of precision brain health. He is the CEO & Founder of Neurogen Biomarking and serves in multiple executive leadership roles at Insight Chicago Medical Group. Known for pioneering work in blood-based biomarkers and neuroimmunology, Dr. Aburashed has led over 40 clinical trials and is internationally recognized for advancing personalized diagnostics in neurological disease. His work has been featured on CNN, Nasdaq, USA Today, and more.

Additional Resources

Website

• www.neurogenbiomarking.com

LinkedIn

• www.linkedin.com/in/ranyaburashed

YouTube

• www.youtube.com/@NeurogenBiomarking

Explore the Toolbox Treasures: Each episode is packed with valuable insights and actionable strategies to help you strengthen brain health and navigate neurological challenges with clarity and confidence.

From the Toolbox to Your Life:

1. Subscribe to The Healthy Brain Toolbox on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and YouTube to stay informed, inspired, and equipped with cutting-edge insights in brain health and integrative medicine.
2. Know a colleague, patient, or loved one who could benefit from this episode? Share it with someone navigating their cognitive health journey—or someone building a mission-driven, holistic practice. Let’s amplify awareness and spark transformation together.
3. If you found this episode valuable, please consider leaving a review. Your support helps us reach more listeners and continue bringing brain-savvy, soul-centered insights to the world.
4. Join the conversation. Connect with me on social media for clinical pearls, practical strategies, and empowering conversations at the intersection of brain health and whole-person care.

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What if chronic disease isn’t a breakdown, but a biological response to the world we’ve built? In this episode of The Healthy Brain Toolbox, I sit down with Dr. Howard Urnovitz to explore personalized evolution, how environmental pressures shape our DNA, and why ancient viral remnants in our genome may influence immunity, brain function, and disease risk.

We challenge conventional thinking—from germs to AI-driven genomic insights—and explore a bold new approach to brain health and preventative medicine.

Key Takeaways

• Personalized evolution: Why your DNA is adapting in real time
• How pollution, pesticides, and pathogens are flipping genetic switches
• The myth of junk DNA and what it’s really doing
• Why chronic illness may be your genome’s SOS signal
• The revolutionary RNA test that could change diagnostics forever
• How AI is decoding the chaos of our genetic operating system
• The surprising link between long COVID and neurodegenerative diseases
• What “Don’t Anger the Ancients” really means

About the Guest: Dr. Howard Urnovitz is the CEO of FBB Biomed. He brings over 40 years of biotech experience, specializing in RNA virology, genomics, AI, and chronic diseases. He is the inventor of the liquid biopsy market and a founder of the Golden Age of Virology. Dr. Urnovitz earned his Ph.D. in Microbiology and Immunology from the University of Michigan and completed postdoctoral work in tumor immunology at Washington University and the University of Iowa. He also founded and served as CSO of the company behind the only FDA-approved urine-based HIV antibody test.

Additional Resources

Website:

• www.fbbbio.com

LinkedIn:

• www.linkedin.com/in/howard-urnovitz
• www.linkedin.com/company/fbb-biomed

YouTube:

• www.youtube.com/@fbbbio

Explore the Toolbox Treasures: Each episode is packed with valuable insights and actionable strategies to help you strengthen brain health and navigate neurological challenges with clarity and confidence.

From the Toolbox to Your Life:

1. Subscribe to The Healthy Brain Toolbox on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and YouTube to stay informed, inspired, and equipped with cutting-edge insights in brain health and integrative medicine.
2. Know a colleague, patient, or loved one who could benefit from this episode? Share it with someone navigating their cognitive health journey—or someone building a mission-driven, holistic practice. Let’s amplify awareness and spark transformation together.
3. If you found this episode valuable, please consider leaving a review. Your support helps us reach more listeners and continue bringing brain-savvy, soul-centered insights to the world.
4. Join the conversation. Connect with me on social media for clinical pearls, practical strategies, and empowering conversations at the intersection of brain health and whole-person care.

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• LinkedIn