Brain Health Resources
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A New Definition of Brain Health by Vladimir Hachinski, Abolfazl Avan, Jason Gilliland, Shahram Oveisgharan The Lancet Neurology 2022, 20: 335-336 The Dementia Prevention Initiative is focused on understanding environmental, socioeconomic and individual risk and protective factors that contribute to the observed decline in stroke and dementia observed in Ontario from 2002 to 2013. While previous studies have focused on the prevention and management of risk factors for stroke and dementia, we seek to identify the combination of factors that can reduce the incidence of stroke and dementia in our society. This is a unique approach that begins with Brain Health, which the authors define here as “..a state of complete physical, mental, and social wellbeing through the continuous development and exercise of the brain”. |
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Brain health: Key to Health, Productivity, and Well-being by Abolfazl Avan, Vladimir Hachinski, and The Brain Health Learn and Act Group Alzheimer’s and Dementia 2021, In Press Brain health is essential for physical and mental health, social well-being, productivity, and creativity. In this article, written by 42 scientific leaders located throughout the world, the authors describe the current “state of the art” as it applies to research into the prevention of neurological disorders. Past research has focused on detecting and treating brain diseases, an approach that often begins after there has been a significant loss of brain health. This “treatment” approach is less than ideal, not only because there are tremendous inequities in access to such “treatments”, but because waiting to treat a diseased brain rather than promoting brain health defies logic. The authors propose that Brain Health should become the top priority worldwide, and propose a series of next steps for fostering brain health: This worldwide Brain Health priority should be based on an interdisciplinary approach that includes not only clinicians and nutritionists, but also is supported by the humanities, the arts, and spirituality. |
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Sustained economic hardship and cognitive function: The coronary artery risk development in young adults study. by Adina Zeki Al Hazzouri, Tali Elfassy, Stephen Sidney, David Jacobs, Eliseo J. Pérez Stable and Kristine Yaffe, MD Am J Prev Med 2017; 5:1–9 Our Brain Health is essential and underlies our basic human activities, from our thoughts to our movements. While it remains important to maintain a healthy and active lifestyle to promote ideal Brain Health, there are other key components such as our social standing, also known as our socioeconomic status (SES). Our SES can be measured in a variety of ways including our education, income, or employment. Studies have shown that better health is associated with earning a higher income, however, the mechanisms underlying these findings are wide-ranging. In this study researchers examine how the SES of young adults affect there cognitive (intellectual) functioning later in life. Results show that young adults who experience financial instability or sustained periods of poverty were more likely to achieve low scores on cognitive testing for memory processing and executive function later in life. These results were persistent even after accounting for differences in age, sex and race among the tested individuals. While SES at youth does not determine health at middle age, it is important to note its significant effect on Brain Health. Identifying individuals with lower SES and providing them with early opportunities for better education and successful growth can promote BH and longevity. |
