Seminar Series: Dr. Abolfazl Avan

Integral Brain Health: Key to health, productivity, and well-being

Abolfazl Avan

Research Associate
Robarts Research Institute
Department of Clinical Neurological Science

Adjunct Research Professor
Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics
Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry
Western University

Short Biography:
Abolfazl Avan, MD, PhD, is a Research Associate with the Dementia Prevention Initiative at Western University and an Adjunct Research Professor in the Epi Bio Department. He is also a senior collaborator of the Global Burden of Disease Study, member of the American Academy of Neurology, and advising member of the WHO Guideline Development Group for the risk reduction of cognitive decline and dementia. His expertise includes brain health, neuroepidemiology, neurovascular research, and modifiable risk factors for stroke, heart disease, and dementia. Dr. Avan's research also focuses on the global, regional, and national socioeconomic, environmental, and metabolic risk factors associated with these conditions, with a strong emphasis on prevention potentials and to promote the implementation of lifelong measures to improve brain health globally and regionally.

Some of the key publications are listed below:

  • Avan A, Andersen R, Andersson N, Frisbee SJ, Singh S, Zhong S, Rogers K A, Whitehead S N, Hachinski V. An operational measurement of brain health: the ABCDS framework. Lancet Neurol. 2025 Apr; [in press]
  • Avan A, Hachinski V, Aamodt A-H, Alessi C, Ali S, Alladi S, Andersen R, Anderson K K, Azarpazhooh M R, Bassetti C L A, Brainin M, Brodtmann A, Buchan A M, Charway-Felli A, Cipriano L E, Endres M, Evans T G, Federico A, Feigin V L, Ferro J M, Freedman M, Frisbee S J, Fuster V, Ganten D, Gilliland J, Kimura J, Kirton J, Küey L, Martins S C O, Mokhber N, Nilanont Y, Nucera A, Oveisgharan S, Owen A M, Owolabi M O, Rogers K A, Rouleau G A, Sacco R L, Stranges S, Whitehead S N, Whitehouse P J, Wilk P. Brain health: Key to health, productivity, and well-being. Alzheimers Dement. 2022;18(7):1396-1407.
  • Avan A, Feigin VL, Bennett DA, Jaimie DS, Hachinski V, Stranges S, Owolabi MO, and 179 GBD Collaborators. The burden of neurological conditions in north Africa and the Middle East, 1990-2019: a systematic analysis of the Global Burden of Disease Study 2019. Lancet Glob Health. 2024 Apr 8:S2214-109X(24)00093-7.
  • Avan A, Hachinski V. Global, regional, and national trends of dementia incidence and risk factors, 1990–2019: A Global Burden of Disease Study. Alzheimers Dement. 2023;19(4):1281-1291.
  • Avan A and Hachinski V. Stroke and dementia, leading causes of neurological disability and death, potential for prevention. Alzheimers Dement. 2021; 17(6): 1072–6.
  • Avan A, Hachinski V. Dementia prevention: From idealism to realism. Lancet Neurol. 2024 May;23(5):S1474-4422(24)00133-9.
  • Avan A, Hachinski V. Increasing risks of dementia and brain health concerns. Lancet Public Health. 2024 Jul;9(7):e414-e415.

Abstract:
Brain health is crucial for overall wellbeing. Nevertheless, one in three individuals suffer from neurological disorders worldwide. The global increase in longevity necessitates the need for proactive, practical measures to promote good brain health at the individual, community, and national levels. Promoting brain health, preventing brain disorders (such as dementia and stroke), and enhancing resilience must be adaptable to different national cultures, health systems, and resources. The World Health Organization has defined the five key determinants, providing a foundation for action. Guided by this, we advocate a simplified ABCDS approach: “A” for Activity, “B” for Blood pressure control, “C” for Connecting with others, “D” for Diet, and “S” for Sleep. This framework requires minimal effort but produces maximal benefits. In short, if widely adopted, just a few small changes could collectively have a substantial impact on brain health and wellbeing and delay, allay, or prevent brain disorders globally.

Area of Research:
Brain Health; Stroke; Dementia; Risk Factors; Prevention; Healthy Aging; Hypertension.


Date: Friday, March 14
Time: 1:30 pm - 2:30 pm
Location: PHFM 3015 (Western Centre for Public Health and Family Medicine) or Zoom (request link by email  epibio@uwo.ca)