155. Dr. Eboni Cornish: Neural Longevity, Brain Inflammation, and the Hidden Root Causes of Mental Health Symptoms — Extend Podcast with Darshan Shah, MD

Cognitive decline, mood disorders, and persistent neurological symptoms are often treated in isolation, even as underlying drivers like inflammation, infections, and blood flow dysfunction continue to go unaddressed. Emerging research suggests that brain health requires a root cause approach that integrates physiology, environment, and lifestyle over time.

In this episode of Extend, we sit down with Dr. Eboni Cornish, Associate Medical Director at Amen Clinics and President Elect of ILADS, to unpack the science of neural longevity and how brain imaging can reveal hidden drivers of mental health symptoms. We break down how SPECT scans uncover patterns of neuroinflammation, why conditions like ADHD and depression may stem from infections, toxins, or hormonal shifts, and how blood flow and cerebellar function play a central role in cognitive performance and emotional regulation.

We also explore how factors like sleep apnea, perimenopause, chronic infections, and metabolic dysfunction quietly reshape brain activity and how targeted interventions can restore function over time.

Dr. Eboni Cornish is a nationally recognized expert in neuroinflammation and complex chronic illness, integrating advanced biomarker testing with brain imaging to uncover root causes and translate cutting edge science into practical strategies for long term brain and body resilience.

What We Discuss:

04:17) Neural longevity and why brain health is missing from longevity conversations.
(05:23) SPECT scan imaging and how it reveals brain activity and blood flow.
(08:55) Neuroinflammation and root causes behind mental health symptoms.
(14:13) The cerebellum as a central regulator of brain function.
(17:06) Perimenopause, estrogen decline, and changes in brain perfusion.
(23:22) Depression and mood disorders as physiological and blood flow issues.
(25:56) Lyme disease, infections, and neuropsychiatric symptoms.
(32:21) Brain scan patterns of inflammation and diagnostic insights.
(36:05) Sleep apnea and its impact on brain function and cognition.
(40:00) A systems approach to brain and body longevity.
(45:43) What a healthy brain looks like on imaging.
(48:01) Dementia risk, progression, and early detection.
(52:09) Practical steps to assess and improve brain health.

Thank You to Our Sponsors:

Function Health: Learn more and join using my link. Visit www.functionhealth.com/drshah and use gift code DRSHAH25 for a $25 credit toward your membership.

Learn more about Dr. Shah:

Website: drshah.com

Clinic: next-health.com

Instagram: darshanshahmd

Learn more about Dr. Cornish:

Website : Dr. Eboni Cornish Amen Clinics

Dr. Cornish on Instagram: dr.ebonicornish

Amen Clinics on Instagram: amen clinics

Learn more about ILADS: ILADS