The Truth About Dementia — Neurologist Explains

IntroDementia is one of the most feared diagnoses in medicine, and one of the most misunderstood. Dr. Maheep Virdi, board-certified neurologist at California Neurology Institute, joins Dr. Sandhu to draw a clear line between normal aging and the real thing, and to walk through exactly what protects long-term brain health, from the basics of sleep and exercise to the newest amyloid-targeting drug therapies reshaping the field.Topics CoveredNormal aging vs. real warning signs of dementiaWhat's happening in the brain years before any symptom appearsThe different types of dementia and how they behave differentlyGenetics vs. lifestyle, and what an APOE4 result actually meansThe heart-brain connection, and the single highest-yield lifestyle changeSleep, the glymphatic system, and memory consolidationExercise, blood flow, and neuroplasticityDiet, cholesterol, and the truth about supplementsSocial connection, purpose, and loneliness as risk factorsHearing loss, vision, dental health, sleep apnea, and AFib as contributing factorsSmoking, vaping, and substance useThe diagnostic workup: MRI, PET amyloid scans, centiloid scoring, MoCA/MMSE, ApoE4 testingNew anti-amyloid drug therapies and their real risksLewy body dementia and why it's treated differentlyChoosing a care facility, and what actually improves outcomesMentioned in EpisodeAPOE4 genetic testingPET amyloid scan and centiloid scaleMoCA (Montreal Cognitive Assessment) and MMSE (Mini-Mental State Examination)Anti-amyloid monoclonal antibody infusion therapiesARIA (amyloid-related imaging abnormalities)The glymphatic systemREM behavior disorderLewy body dementia and frontotemporal dementiaConnectDr. Rasham Sandhu Instagram: @nextphasehumanDr. Maheep Virdi / California Neurology Institute Website: caneuroinst.com Instagram: @caneuroinst 8335 Brimhall Rd., Bldg. 1100, Bakersfield, CA 93312 (661) 432-7851Next Phase Human Podcast Instagram: @nextphasehuman Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/033qZ46toArgzpRrRrlpvb Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/podcast/next-phase-human-w-dr-sandhu/id1896859526California Cardiovascular Institute 8337 Brimhall Rd Building 1200, Bakersfield, CA 93312 cacvinst.comInterested in being a guest on Next Phase Human? Contact: [email protected]