E173: Dr. Ashanthi Gajaweera on Dementia Prevention & Women’s Brain Health

Welcome to the Get Healthy Tampa Bay Podcast with Dr. Kerry Reller! This week, Dr. Reller is joined by neurologist Dr. Ashanthi Gajaweera to discuss dementia prevention, brain health, and why lifestyle habits decades earlier may shape cognitive health later in life.In this episode, they explore the connection between menopause and brain health, how exercise and sleep impact dementia risk, the importance of metabolic health and body composition, and why mindset and lifelong learning may help build cognitive resilience. Dr. Gajaweera also shares how her practice focuses on preventative neurology and empowering patients to take proactive steps for healthier brain aging.Ashanthi Gajaweera, MD is a board-certified neurologist and founder of Healthspan Neurology PC — a neurologist-led practice dedicated to cognitive longevity and Alzheimer's prevention for men and women. As one of a small number of neurologists to be a Menopause Society Certified Provider, she also brings a unique perspective to the intersection of women's brain health and menopause, a critical window of opportunity to protect cognitive longevity.An MIT-trained mechanical engineer turned neurologist, Dr. Gajaweera brings a systems-thinking and evidence-informed approach to brain health for men and women alike — one that goes far beyond memory testing to assess, stratify, and modify real risk.She sees patients throughout New York State and speaks widely on Alzheimer's prevention, the menopausal brain, and evidence-based strategies for cognitive longevity.00:00 Introduction to Dr. Ashanthi Gajaweera01:10 Why Dr. G shifted from traditional neurology to dementia prevention03:05 Can dementia really be prevented?04:28 Why the healthcare system struggles with brain prevention08:20 Why Alzheimer’s changes may begin decades before symptoms11:50 What “preventative neurology” actually looks like16:15 The connection between body composition, diabetes, and dementia risk19:50 Why VO2 max and exercise matter for brain health24:40 Menopause, estrogen, and women’s brain health35:15 The top habits to support lifelong brain healthConnect with Dr. AshanthiWebsite: www.healthspanneurology.comSocials: Instagram/LinkedIn/YouTube:  @Dr.Gajaweera Connect with Dr. RellerPodcast website: https://gethealthytbpodcast.buzzsprou... LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kerryrellermd/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ClearwaterFamilyMedicineInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/clearwaterfamilymedicine/Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@kerryrellermdClearwater Family Medicine and Allergy website: https://sites.google.com/view/clearwa...Podcast: https://gethealthytbpodcast.buzzsprou...Subscribe to the Get Healthy Tampa Bay Podcast on Apple podcasts, Spotify, Amazon music, Stitcher, Google Podcasts, Pandora.