Survey shows Americans want to start brain health habits earlier

A new national survey commissioned by The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center finds most U.S. adults believe brain health habits should begin before age 40.

The survey of 1,000 adults found that 60% want to prioritize brain health earlier in life but don’t know how.

Even people with no family history or signs of memory or thinking problems, dementia or Alzheimer’s disease are starting to take steps to protect their brain health, said neurologist Douglas Scharre, MD, medical director of Ohio State’s Center for Cognitive and Memory Disorders.

“Middle-aged or younger will be a perfect time to start brain healthy habits,” said Scharre, who also is a professor of neurology at Ohio State College of Medicine. “Once you start working on your brain health, it could provide a more robust brain reserve which could delay the time to when you may develop memory issues, such as forgetting your keys.”

Scharre suggests these brain boosting habits at any age to help fight cognitive decline:

• Exercising consistently.
• Getting enough good sleep.
• Eating a Mediterranean-style diet that includes fruits, vegetables, lean proteins and healthy oils such as olive oil.
• Socializing with family and friends.
• Keeping your mind active through puzzles, games, music or learning a new language.

“Use it or lose it,” Scharre said. “The mental activity of socializing is wonderful for the brain. You are conversing with someone. You’re reading their facial expressions. Are they bored with you? Did they like what you said? You are listening to and comprehending a story they are telling. You remember a better story that you tell them. You engage in a nice discourse. You’re going to use your brain to pull out your memories. You’re going to make judgments. Your brain is working.”

By age 65, Scharre recommends that people without a family history of memory problems begin routine brain health screenings such as the Self-Administered Gerocognitive Examination (SAGE test) that he developed.

The test is designed to identify early signs of memory or thinking problems. It measures thinking skills and helps doctors understand how well a person’s brain is functioning.

Finding memory and thinking problems early is important, especially as new treatments for dementia and Alzheimer’s disease become available. An estimated 7.4 million Americans are living with this disease according to a report by the national Alzheimer’s Association.

“Then if there’s any abnormality in your test scores, you can talk to your provider and check for causes of your cognitive issues and find a diagnosis,” Scharre said.

The test cannot confirm Alzheimer’s disease, but it gives doctors a starting point for tracking memory and thinking skills over time. Taking the test again later helps doctors track changes in memory and thinking skills.

Those with a family history of cognitive problems at an early age could start taking cognitive tests themselves sooner than age 65, Scharre said.

If screening tests suggest a problem, doctors may order other tests, including MRI scans or blood tests, to look for potential causes such as stroke or thyroid issues.

“What usually happens is people just deny, delay and three or four years later, they’re getting worse and have not received treatments,” Scharre said. “Some newer Alzheimer’s treatments may help slow the disease, but they work best when started early. If you wait too long, they’re not going to help.”

People can take the SAGE test whenever they notice memory or thinking concerns. The test comes in four versions so people can take a different form 6-12 months later for their recheck and will not become familiar with the answers. The 11-question test measures several thinking skills, including memory, language, problem-solving and other abilities related to daily life.

Scharre worked with BrainTest Inc. SEZC who developed an exact digital version of the SAGE test that has been validated as equivalent to the SAGE test.

No matter your age, Scharre, in addition, urges people to protect their brains from traumatic injuries by wearing helmets and seatbelts and avoiding high-impact sports.

“You only get one brain,” Scharre said.

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Gaby Clark

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