What are the early signs of dementia and is there anything we can do to protect our brain health?

On the latest episode of the Intent Medical Group Podcast, I sit down with Dr. Julia Thomas, a neuropsychologist, to answer some of the most common questions about memory, cognition, and brain health.

In this conversation, we discuss:

🧠 What a neuropsychologist actually does, and how cognitive testing can help diagnose conditions like dementia, ADHD, brain tumors, seizures, and depression.

🧠 Early warning signs of dementia that families shouldn't ignore, including persistent memory changes, difficulty finding words, getting lost in familiar places, and noticeable personality changes.

🧠 What a neuropsychological evaluation looks like, from the initial interview to detailed cognitive testing that helps uncover the "why" behind someone's symptoms.

🧠 What you can do today to support long-term brain health, including:

✔️ Regular exercise

✔️ A Mediterranean or MIND diet

✔️ Challenging your brain with meaningful activities

✔️ Prioritizing sleep, mental health, and social connection

One of the biggest takeaways?

Brain health isn't just about treating disease, it's about taking steps today that may help protect your cognitive health for years to come.

🎙️ Tune in now for an insightful conversation on memory, cognition, dementia, and the science of keeping your brain healthy.

What's one question you've always had about memory, dementia, or brain health? Leave it in the comments, we may answer it in a future episode.

What does it really take to earn a spot in medical school?In this episode of the Intent Medical Group Podcast, Dr. Sammy Khalili sits down with medical students Russel Wagner and Mikaeel Kassam for an honest conversation about the challenges, sacrifices, and perseverance required to pursue a career in medicine.From building a competitive application to navigating interviews, essays, and the realities of medical school, they pull back the curtain on what aspiring physicians can truly expect. They also discuss how personal experiences, resilience, and genuine human connection can be just as important as academic achievements.Whether you're a pre-med student, considering a career in healthcare, or simply curious about the journey behind the white coat, this episode provides valuable insight into one of the most competitive career paths.In This Episode:- Why becoming a physician is a marathon, not a sprint.- The importance of GPA and MCAT scores, and why they aren't the whole story.- How volunteering, research, leadership, and personal experiences strengthen an application.- What to expect during the primary and secondary application process.- Tips for managing the overwhelming number of application essays.- The financial realities of applying to medical school.- How study habits change once you're accepted.- Building a support system and finding your community during medical school.- Advice they wish every future medical student knew before applying.Key Takeaways✔️ Academic excellence opens doors, but character and experiences help set you apart.✔️ Preparation, persistence, and resilience are essential throughout the application process.✔️ Success in medicine requires continuous learning, adaptability, and teamwork.✔️ The journey is demanding, but for those called to medicine, it's worth every challenge.If you found this episode valuable, be sure to subscribe, leave a review, and share it with someone pursuing a career in medicine.Follow along Dr. Sammy’s social accounts:Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/3dR5ZRbGKs2kKvUBLsPIuf?si=aa6cd966ae9d4989Instagram: https://instagram.com/dr.sammykhalili_ent/Facebook: https://facebook.com/people/Dr-Sammy-Khalili-ENT/61572081363817/TikTok: https://tiktok.com/@dr.sammykhalili

Stroke remains one of the leading causes of disability worldwide—but many strokes are preventable.In this episode, Dr. Sammy sits down with Carlos Illingworth for an important conversation about brain health, stroke prevention, and the everyday habits that can dramatically reduce your risk.Together, they break down the science behind stroke prevention into practical, actionable advice that anyone can apply.In this episode, you'll learn:•The biggest risk factors for stroke•The foods that support long-term brain and vascular health•Lifestyle habits that can help lower your stroke risk•Why exercise plays a critical role in protecting your brain•The importance of managing blood pressure, cholesterol, and blood sugar•The habits to avoid that may increase your risk•How sleep, stress, and overall wellness impact brain health•Why prevention is one of the most powerful forms of medicineWhether you're looking to optimize your own health or support a loved one, this conversation offers practical strategies for protecting your brain today and for years to come.Key Takeaway:Brain health isn't determined by one decision—it's shaped by the choices we make every day. Small, consistent lifestyle changes can have a lasting impact on reducing stroke risk and improving overall health.🎙️ Tune in for an informative discussion filled with practical tips, expert insights, and evidence-based recommendations to help you take charge of your brain health.If you found this episode helpful, be sure to subscribe, leave a review, and share it with someone who could benefit from these important conversations.Follow along Dr. Sammy’s social accounts:Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/3dR5ZRbGKs2kKvUBLsPIuf?si=aa6cd966ae9d4989Instagram: https://instagram.com/dr.sammykhalili_ent/Facebook: https://facebook.com/people/Dr-Sammy-Khalili-ENT/61572081363817/TikTok: https://tiktok.com/@dr.sammykhalili

In this deeply personal episode, Dr. Sammy sits down with a very special guest — his father, lovingly known as Baba — for an honest conversation about loneliness, friendship, human connection, and growing up in Iran.Inspired by Dr. Hassan Khalili’s newly written book and shaped by decades of lived experience, this episode explores what it truly means to feel understood in a world where many people simply want to be heard.After spending more than 40 years listening to people from all walks of life as a psychologist, Dr. Hassan shares the wisdom he’s gathered along the way: true friendship is not about fixing, advising, or lecturing — it’s about presence, empathy, and understanding.Together, a father and son reflect on:• The emotional realities of loneliness• How culture and upbringing shape connection• Lessons learned from life in Iran• The power of listening without judgment• Why genuine friendship matters more than everThis episode is a reminder that sometimes the most healing thing we can offer another person is simply to listen.🎙️ Tune in for a moving conversation filled with wisdom, humanity, and connection.Follow along Dr. Sammy’s social accounts:Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/3dR5ZRbGKs2kKvUBLsPIuf?si=aa6cd966ae9d4989Instagram: https://instagram.com/dr.sammykhalili_ent/Facebook: https://facebook.com/people/Dr-Sammy-Khalili-ENT/61572081363817/TikTok: https://tiktok.com/@dr.sammykhalili

Dr. Asad Khan, Neuro-Oncologist at Intent Medical Group, shares his remarkable and unexpected journey into medicine. From growing up on a farm overseas to raising goats to eventually landing in one of the most challenging fields in neuroscience — his path was anything but planned. In this episode, we explore how each twist in his story led him closer to where he was meant to be, and why his unique background makes him the compassionate, skilled physician he is today.

Whether you're interested in neuro-oncology or just love a great story, this one's worth the watch.

🔗 Learn more about Intent Medical Group: www.intentmedicalgroup.com

Follow us on our Social Media! LinkedIn: Intent Medical Group TikTok: Intent_Medical_Group

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All information in this video is for educational and informational use only and is not medical advice. Contact your own medical provider for care. For all urgent or emergency matters, call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room or urgent care facility. We do not recommend or endorse any specific drugs, tests, physicians, products, procedures, opinions, "off-label" drug uses, or other information that may be mentioned.

In this episode, we sit down with the ENT Advanced Practice Providers who serve as the ENT team for our Neuroscience Department. From clinic to the operating room, they share insight into their training, day-to-day responsibilities, and how close collaboration across specialties helps deliver comprehensive, patient-centered care. This conversation highlights the expertise, trust, and teamwork behind high-quality ENT and neuroscience care.🔗 Learn more about Intent Medical Group: https://www.intentmedicalgroup.comFollow us on our Social Media!LinkedIn: Intent Medical GroupTikTok: Intent_Medical_Group..All information in this video is for educational and informational use only and is not medical advice. Contact your own medical provider for care. For all urgent or emergency matters, call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room or urgent care facility. We do not recommend or endorse any specific drugs, tests, physicians, products, procedures, opinions, “off-label” drug uses, or other information that may be mentioned.

In this episode, we’re joined by Dr. Michael Brandt, facial plastic and reconstructive surgeon, for an in-depth conversation on the latest innovations in facial aesthetics and reconstruction.We discuss:• Robotic hair transplantation and how technology is changing hair restoration• Non-surgical rhinoplasty — who it’s for and its limitations• Deep plane face lifting — is it truly new, or a refined surgical approach?Dr. Brandt shares expert insight on technique, innovation, and what patients should understand when considering both surgical and non-surgical facial procedures.

🔗 Learn more about Intent Medical Group: https://www.intentmedicalgroup.com

Follow us on our Social Media!

LinkedIn: Intent Medical Group

TikTok: Intent_Medical_Group

Check out Dr. Brandts social media!

https://formfacebody.ca

Instagram: dr.m.brandt

All information in this video is for educational and informational use only and is not medical advice. Contact your own medical provider for care. For all urgent or emergency matters, call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room or urgent care facility. We do not recommend or endorse any specific drugs, tests, physicians, products, procedures, opinions, “off-label” drug uses, or other information that may be mentioned.

In this episode, we’re joined by Dr. Anderson, Director of Epilepsy at Intent Medical Group, for a thoughtful discussion on epilepsy diagnosis, treatment options, and patient care. This episode provides valuable insights for patients, caregivers, and healthcare professionals alike.

🔗 Learn more about Intent Medical Group: https://www.intentmedicalgroup.com

If you have any questions, drop them down in the comments!

Follow us on our Social Media!

LinkedIn: Intent Medical Group

TikTok: Intent_Medical_Group

All information in this video is for educational and informational use only and is not medical advice. Contact your own medical provider for care. For all urgent or emergency matters, call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room or urgent care facility. We do not recommend or endorse any specific drugs, tests, physicians, products, procedures, opinions, “off-label” drug uses, or other information that may be mentioned.

Dr. Mark Aloia, Head of Research at Inspire Medical Systems and a leading expert in sleep medicine, joins us to discuss innovations in sleep therapy, current research, and the future of treatment for patients with sleep disorders.Whether you’re a patient, provider, caregiver, or someone curious about the science of sleep, this episode offers clear, practical insights straight from one of the field’s leading experts.🔗 Learn more about Intent Medical Group: https://www.intentmedicalgroup.com🔗 Learn more about Inspire Therapy: https://www.inspiresleep.com/en-us/If you have any questions, drop them down in the comments!Follow us on our Social Media!LinkedIn: Intent Medical GroupTikTok: Intent_Medical_GroupAll information in this video is for educational and informational use only and is not medical advice. Contact your own medical provider for care. For all urgent or emergency matters, call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room or urgent care facility. We do not recommend or endorse any specific drugs, tests, physicians, products, procedures, opinions, “off-label” drug uses, or other information that may be mentioned.

From complex spine cases to cutting-edge surgical techniques, Dr. Azeem Rehman shares his journey as a Neurosurgeon and Director of Minimally Invasive Spine Surgery — and what drives his passion for helping patients heal.

Follow us on our Social Media!

LinkedIn: Intent Medical Group

TikTok: Intent_Medical_Group

All information in this video is for educational and informational use only and is not medical advice. Contact your own medical provider for care. For all urgent or emergency matters, call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room or urgent care facility. We do not recommend or endorse any specific drugs, tests, physicians, products, procedures, opinions, “off-label” drug uses, or other information that may be mentioned.