Intro
Dementia 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 Covered
- Normal aging vs. real warning signs of dementia
- What's happening in the brain years before any symptom appears
- The different types of dementia and how they behave differently
- Genetics vs. lifestyle, and what an APOE4 result actually means
- The heart-brain connection, and the single highest-yield lifestyle change
- Sleep, the glymphatic system, and memory consolidation
- Exercise, blood flow, and neuroplasticity
- Diet, cholesterol, and the truth about supplements
- Social connection, purpose, and loneliness as risk factors
- Hearing loss, vision, dental health, sleep apnea, and AFib as contributing factors
- Smoking, vaping, and substance use
- The diagnostic workup: MRI, PET amyloid scans, centiloid scoring, MoCA/MMSE, ApoE4 testing
- New anti-amyloid drug therapies and their real risks
- Lewy body dementia and why it's treated differently
- Choosing a care facility, and what actually improves outcomes
Mentioned in Episode
- APOE4 genetic testing
- PET amyloid scan and centiloid scale
- MoCA (Montreal Cognitive Assessment) and MMSE (Mini-Mental State Examination)
- Anti-amyloid monoclonal antibody infusion therapies
- ARIA (amyloid-related imaging abnormalities)
- The glymphatic system
- REM behavior disorder
- Lewy body dementia and frontotemporal dementia
Connect
Dr. Rasham Sandhu Instagram: @nextphasehuman
Dr. Maheep Virdi / California Neurology Institute Website: caneuroinst.com Instagram: @caneuroinst 8335 Brimhall Rd., Bldg. 1100, Bakersfield, CA 93312 (661) 432-7851
California Cardiovascular Institute 8337 Brimhall Rd Building 1200, Bakersfield, CA 93312 cacvinst.com
What is Next Phase Human ?
Most people think about their health when something goes wrong.
Next Phase Human is for everyone who wants to start thinking about it before that moment arrives.
Hosted by Dr. Sandhu — a cardiologist with a focus on prevention, longevity, and whole-body wellness — this podcast brings together physicians, researchers, and wellness professionals for honest, evidence-based conversations about the topics that actually move the needle on your long-term health.
Each episode covers the intersection of cardiovascular wellness, modern medicine, lifestyle optimization, and human performance — translated into practical, approachable conversations for professionals, business owners, and anyone serious about living better longer.Topics include heart health, metabolic health, sleep, stress, nutrition, longevity diagnostics, wearable technology, recovery, burnout, and the future of preventative care.
This is not clickbait wellness. This is a forward-thinking physician who believes the best healthcare happens before you need it.
New episodes weekly.