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 Gajaweera
01:10 Why Dr. G shifted from traditional neurology to dementia prevention
03:05 Can dementia really be prevented?
04:28 Why the healthcare system struggles with brain prevention
08:20 Why Alzheimer’s changes may begin decades before symptoms
11:50 What “preventative neurology” actually looks like
16:15 The connection between body composition, diabetes, and dementia risk
19:50 Why VO2 max and exercise matter for brain health
24:40 Menopause, estrogen, and women’s brain health
35:15 The top habits to support lifelong brain health

Connect with Dr. Ashanthi
Website: www.healthspanneurology.com
Socials: Instagram/LinkedIn/YouTube: @Dr.Gajaweera

Connect with Dr. Reller
Podcast website: https://gethealthytbpodcast.buzzsprou...
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kerryrellermd/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ClearwaterFamilyMedicine
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/clearwaterfamilymedicine/
Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@kerryrellermd
Clearwater Family Medicine and Allergy website: https://sites.google.com/view/clearwa...
Podcast: https://gethealthytbpodcast.buzzsprou...

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