155. Dr. Eboni Cornish: Neural Longevity, Brain Inflammation, and the Hidden Root Causes of Mental Health Symptoms

Apr 14, 2026

Dr. Eboni Cornish, Associate Medical Director at Amen Clinics and expert in neuroinflammation and complex chronic illness, uses brain imaging to hunt hidden drivers of cognitive and mood symptoms. She discusses SPECT scans, how infections, toxins, hormones, and blood flow changes can mimic psychiatric conditions, the cerebellum’s broad role, and practical ways to restore cerebral perfusion for long-term brain resilience.

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INSIGHT

SPECT Reveals Live Brain Activity Not Just Structure

SPECT scans show live 3D brain activity and blood flow rather than structure alone.
Dr. Eboni Cornish uses resting and concentration SPECT scans to detect underactive or overactive regions that point to root causes like inflammation or sleep apnea.

INSIGHT

Cerebellum Acts As The Brain's CEO

The cerebellum is a central regulator sending signals to frontal lobes, limbic system, and temporal lobes.
On SPECT the cerebellum should be the most active area; decreases predict widespread cognitive and emotional dysfunction.

ADVICE

Evaluate ADHD Root Causes Before Prescribing Stimulants

Don't assume ADHD always needs stimulants; identify brain activity pattern first with imaging and labs.
Treat underlying causes like Lyme, mold, histamine issues or thyroid and re-evaluate SPECT before prescribing stimulants.

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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