Understanding Cognitive Performance
Thriving
at Every Life Stage
Evidence continues to mount that lifestyle and behavior are major drivers for our brain health. The U.S. POINTER study recently revealed that lifestyle interventions improved cognition among older adults at higher risk for cognitive decline and Alzheimer's. The study suggests a four-part lifestyle recipe to protect the brain, focused on cognitive exercise, physical exercise, health monitoring and nutrition.
At Center for BrainHealth, our focus is on the least understood aspects of this recipe: cognitive exercise and precision brain health metrics.
To read our full statement on the U.S. POINTER study, open or download the PDF
Surveys consistently reveal that although most people know cognitive exercise will improve brain performance, they do not know how to exercise their brain in a meaningful way. Our published research over the past two decades demonstrates the brain's ability to get stronger and work better at every life stage – the time to act is NOW.
Our team develops and tests everyday strategies and tools that make the biggest difference in brain performance. Our landmark longitudinal study, The BrainHealth Project, reframes brain health to a proactive model that emphasizes both measurable improvements and risks, while fostering resilience and lifelong wellness. It integrates the first validated, holistic measure of brain health (the BrainHealth Index) with evidence-based cognitive strategies, lifestyle interventions (based on our SMART™, methodology) and coach-facilitated guidance.
Expand your cognitive exercise routine with Know Brainers – science-backed tips to transform brain performance.
We applaud the Lancet Commission’s detailed review to upgrade brain care practices on dementia prevention, interventions and care. Their enlightening synopsis reveals that 45% of dementia is potentially modifiable if we eliminate the noted risk factors. Our research suggests the impact of this exciting, science-backed news may be even greater (see Our Featured Research above) when you focus on lifelong proactive brain health.
The key is building cognitive brain practices – our brain changes every day by how we use it!
To read our full statement, see our chief director's post on LinkedIn or open/download the pdf
The 2024 update to the standing Lancet Commission on dementia prevention, intervention, and care adds two new risk factors (high LDL cholesterol and vision loss) and indicates that nearly half of all dementia cases worldwide could be prevented or delayed by addressing 14 modifiable risk factors.
Scientific evidence continues to mount, showing it is possible to slow, reverse or prevent Alzheimer's. Two science publications in 2024 offer critical new insights:
The study underscores the importance of risk factors that exist at different stages of life, and creates urgency for adopting habits early in life, and beyond, to reduce risk and overall cases of dementia. Created to review the best available evidence and produce recommendations on how to best manage, or even prevent, dementia, it reported in 2020 that dementia is not an inevitable consequence of aging and identified potentially modifiable health and lifestyle factors from different phases of life that, if eliminated, might prevent dementia. In 2024, revised findings now suggest that 45% - almost half - of dementia cases could be delayed or reduced by addressing 14 risk factors in early, middle and late life.
A carefully controlled clinical trial showing that people with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and early-stage Alzheimer’s (AD) – who believe they have agency in their health habits – can make a significant impact on improving their overall brain health. One hypothesis arising from the study stands out: “If intensive lifestyle changes may cause improvement in cognition and function in MCI or early dementia due to AD, then it is reasonable to think that these lifestyle changes may also help to prevent them.”
The Lancet Commission’s report reminds us that building cognitive brain practices continues to be a major gap that Center for BrainHealth fills. Thank you for your support!