FEMALE FOUNDATIONAL BRAIN HEALTH PROTOCOL BY DR. EBONI CORNISH, MD FOR KAYLA BARNES-LENTZ AND THE FEMALE LONGEVITY PROTOCOL

Written By Kayla Barnes

"Neural longevity isn't just about preventing dementia. We're trying to give you the best brain possible. But you won't know until you look." — Dr. Eboni Cornish

This protocol is developed directly from Dr. Eboni Cornish, MD, a board-certified physician and Functional Medicine Director at Amen Clinics. Dr. Cornish specializes in neuroinflammation, chronic infections, and brain longevity, and has developed the Amen Clinics’ Neuro Intensive Program.

Women face unique vulnerabilities when it comes to brain health. Two-thirds of all Alzheimer’s diagnoses are in women, largely driven by hormonal shifts at puberty, perimenopause, and menopause that increase neuroinflammation. This protocol addresses those specific risks with targeted, evidence-based strategies.

Brain longevity in women requires a brain-first, precision medicine approach. At Amen Clinics, functional brain imaging is the core of evaluation, allowing us to identify patterns of neuroinflammation, toxicity, and dysfunction that cannot be captured by symptoms or labs alone.

Hormones, gut health, infections, toxins, immune dysregulation, and chronic stress all converge on the brain making early identification and targeted intervention essential.

1. BRAIN IMAGING: THE FOUNDATION

SPECT imaging provides an objective map of brain function and guides treatment.

  • Identifies  brain inflammation, toxicity, infection patterns, and low blood flow

  • Differentiates psychiatric vs. biologic causes

  • Guides targeted, individualized therapies

2. ROOT CAUSES OF BRAIN DYSFUNCTION IN WOMEN

  • Gut dysfunction and microbiome imbalance (foundational)

  • Lyme disease and chronic infection

  • Autoimmune neuroinflammation 

  • Mold illness / CIRS

  • Environmental toxins

  • Hormonal imbalance (perimenopause, menopause)

  • Chronic stress and HPA axis dysregulation

These commonly present as anxiety, depression, brain fog, fatigue, and cognitive decline, but originate from underlying biologic dysfunction.

3. BIOMARKERS: BUILDING THE BIOLOGIC CONTEXT

Hormones:

  • Estrogen, Progesterone, Testosterone

  • DHEA-S

  • SHBG

  • LH, FSH

Thyroid:

  • TSH, Free T3, Free T4, Reverse T3

  • Thyroid antibodies (TPO, Thyroglobulin)

Adrenal:

  • 4-point cortisol

Inflammatory / Immune:

  • CRP

  • ESR

  • ANA

  • C4a

  • TGF-beta-1

Metabolic:

  • Fasting insulin

  • Hemoglobin A1c

  • Leptin

Neurodegenerative Risk:

  • p-Tau

  • APOE

Environmental / Biotoxin:

  • HLA susceptibility

  • MSH, VIP

Advanced Testing (as indicated):

  • Neural antibodies

  • Autoimmune encephalopathy panels

4. GUT–BRAIN AXIS 

The gut is central to brain and immune function.

Evaluation:

  • Comprehensive stool testing (Gut Zoomer)

  • SIBO testing

  • Oral and nasal microbiome

Targets:

  • Restore Bifidobacterium

  • Support Akkermansia

  • Balance Lactobacillus

  • Utilize psychobiotics

Gut health directly impacts inflammation, neurotransmitters, and immune signaling.

5. CORE NEURO SUPPORT + ANTI-INFLAMMATORY STRATEGIES

  • Vitamin D3 + K2

  • Omega-3 fatty acids

  • Curcumin

  • Phosphatidylcholine

  • Choline

  • Bacopa

  • Glutathione

  • NAC (N-acetylcysteine)

  • Nattokinase / Lumbrokinase

  • Nitric oxide support

6. HORMONE OPTIMIZATION

  • Estrogen supports blood flow, cognition, and neuroprotection

  • Decline → increased inflammation and cognitive changes

  • Evaluate DHEA-S, SHBG, thyroid autoimmunity

  • Consider BHRT when appropriate

  • Address toxin-related endocrine disruption

7. LIFESTYLE FOUNDATIONS

Exercise:

  • Daily cardiovascular activity

  • Strength training 3–4 times weekly

  • Sauna therapy

Sleep:

  • 7–8 hours nightly

  • Optimize deep and REM sleep

  • Screen for sleep apnea

  • Evaluate cortisol rhythm

Stress Regulation:

  • Address chronic sympathetic activation

  • Incorporate vagal nerve support

8. DETOXIFICATION AND HIDDEN SOURCES

Assessment:

  • Mold / mycotoxins

  • CIRS markers

  • Heavy metals

  • Environmental  Toxicity 

Hidden Drivers (Critical):

  • Lyme disease and co-infections

  • Chronic viral infections

  • Dental infections / cavitations

  • Sinus colonization (MARCoNS)

  • Gut biofilms / dysbiosis

  • Environmental toxin exposure

Support:

  • Binders

  • Liver support

  • Hydration

  • Sauna

  • Bowel regularity

9. ADVANCED, BRAIN-GUIDED THERAPIES

  • Hyperbaric oxygen therapy

  • IV glutathione

  • Neuromodulation / vagus nerve support

  • Targeted antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory therapies

10. WHY THIS MATTERS FOR WOMEN

  • Higher Alzheimer’s disease risk

  • Hormonal transitions increase neuroinflammation

  • Earlier brain perfusion changes

  • Increased toxin sensitivity

  • Higher cumulative stress burden

NEUROLONGEVITY PRINCIPLE

Optimal brain health requires integration of:

  • Brain imaging (SPECT as the core)

  • Biomarkers

  • Clinical symptoms

  • Root causes (gut, Lyme disease, chronic infections, toxins, hormones, immune dysfunction)

This approach shifts care from symptom management to precision identification and restoration of brain function over time.

Kayla Barnes