New Brain Health Roadmap Announced

By Alvaro Fernandez

On June 10th something wonderful happened, and the media hasn't paid much attention yet. On that day, the National Public Health Road Map to Maintaining Cognitive Health was released by the CDC and the Alzheimer's Association. The authors proposed a set of 44 actions to reach a lofty goal: To maintain or improve the cognitive performance of all adults across America. This is great timing, given all the research and media attention that this field is getting, and the aging of the baby boomer population.

I want to first share with you the 10 top actions proposed by this report, and then provide a quick glossary to explain the key words that you will hear more and more when discussing brain health.

Top recommendations:

1) To determine how diverse audiences think about cognitive health and its associations with lifestyle factors. This work has all-ready yielded in a phenomenal report on Baby boomers' current opinion of Brain Health and Fitness, that you can find in the website of the MetLife Foundation.

2) To disseminate the latest science to increase public understanding of cognitive health and to dispel common misconceptions. The discovery of lifelong neuroplasticity and neurogenesis (see glossary below) has given us a new positive view upon the human brain - This is still a concept not many know of. "Use it or lose it" and "Use It and Get More of It" needs to reach all people.

3) Help people understand the connection between risk and protective factors and cognitive health. Protective factors were well summarized in the MacArthur study of successful aging: good nutrition, mental and physical exercise, stress management and social engagement.

4) Assess the literature on risk factors (vascular risk and physical inactivity) and related interventions for relationships with cognitive health. As Dr. Marilyn S. Albert at John Hopkins points it out: All the things that we know are bad for your heart turn out to be bad for your brain.

5) More clinical trials will be conducted to determine the effect of reducing vascular risk factors on lowering the risk of cognitive decline and improving cognitive function. Recent findings presented at International Conference on Prevention of Dementia are one big step in the right direction.

6) Further, more research will be conducted on other areas potentially affecting cognitive health such as nutrition, mental activity, and social engagement.

7) The last research focus is on determining the effect of physical activity on reducing the risk of cognitive decline and improving cognitive function.

8) The government will develop a population-based surveillance system to measure the public health burden of cognitive impairment in the United States.

9) Initiate policy changes at the federal, state, and local levels to promote cognitive health by engaging public officials.

10) Brain Fitness will be included in Healthy People 2020, a set of health objectives for the nation that will serve as the foundation for state and community public health plans.

This initiative will help people of all ages take more control of our brain health in the same way we care about our nutrition and body health.

Now let's review some of the most relevant concepts in this field. This vocabulary will become familiar to all of us during the next years::

Brain Fitness: the general state of good, sharp, brain and mind, especially as the result of mental and physical exercise and proper nutrition.

Brain Fitness Program: structured set of brain exercises, usually computer-based, designed to train specific brain areas and functions in targeted ways, and measured by brain fitness assessments.

Chronic Stress: ongoing, long-term stress. Continued physiological arousal where stressors block the formation of new neurons and negatively impact the immune system's defenses.

Cognitive training: variety of brain exercises designed to help work out specific "mental muscles". The principle underlying cognitive training is to help improve "core" abilities, such as attention, memory, problem-solving, which many people consider as fixed.

Cognitive Reserve: theory that addresses the fact that individuals vary considerably in the severity of cognitive aging and clinical dementia. Mental stimulation, education and occupational level are believed to be major active components of building a cognitive reserve that can help resist the attacks of mental disease.

fMRI: functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) is a non-invasive neuroimaging technique that enables researchers see images of changing blood flow in the brain associated with neural activity. This allows images to be generated that reflect which structures are activated (and how) during performance of different tasks.

Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR): yoga and meditation practices designed to enable effective responses to stress, pain, and illness.

Neurogenesis: the process by which neurons are created all throughout our lives.

Neuroplasticity: the brain's ability to reorganize itself by forming new connections throughout life.

Exciting times ahead! We should all be looking forward what science will bring us to help develop and grow gracefully as we age.

Alvaro Fernandez is the CEO and Co-Founder of SharpBrains, http://www.sharpbrains.com which provides the latest science-based information for Brain Health and Brain Exercise, and reviews programs such as MindFit, Posit Science, emWave, IntelliGym, Cogmed, and more. Dozens of publications, such as Scientific American Mind, CBS, Forbes, MSNBC, Seattle Times, New York Post, have highlighted SharpBrains website and information. Check http://www.sharpbrains.com/hottopics.

More Resources


12/28/2021
Don't Fall Prey to Victim Mentality
 Those engaged in victim-mentality, view life through a narrow lens of pessimistic perceptions, believing whatever occurs in life is the result of outside causes. Inner reflection is never considered. Being a victim means absolving themselves of blame. Nothing is their fault - ever! Those engaged in victim mentality most often enjoy the attention, sympathy and validation they get from playing this "poor me" role.

more info


12/23/2021
6 Benefits of Ganoderma Lucidum Spore Powder
 Ganoderma lucidum offers a lot of benefits. In this article, we are going to take a look at the benefits of Ganoderma lucidum spores powder. After you have studied this article, you will be able to have a deep understanding of this substance.

more info


12/14/2021
The Difference Between Deionized and Reverse Osmosis Water Purification
 If you want to choose the best water purification system for your lottery, we suggest that you understand the difference between deionized and reverse osmosis water. If you want to perform your work and processes, you must be able to access pure water. If you know about different approaches to produce reverse osmosis and deionized water, you will be able to make an informed decision.

more info


12/14/2021
The Pros and Cons of RO Water Filters
 Are you thinking of purchasing a reverse osmosis water purifier? If so, we suggest that you understand the pros and cons of the devices. With this approach, you can choose a better alternative to stay healthy.

more info


12/13/2021
The Book of Answers
 Do you feel like you stumble through your life, reacting to what goodness or to what misery lands in your way? Stop doing that.

more info


12/08/2021
Urodynamic Devices - Technological Advancements to Improve the Efficiency of Measurement Techniques
 Constant developments in medical technologies are likely to enhance the outcomes of urodynamic tests and result in the robust adoption of urodynamic devices worldwide. Urodynamic study helps in determination of the causes of bladder dysfunction, formulating an appropriate course for the treatment.

more info


12/08/2021
You Can Do The Hard Things
 In life, we are constantly tempted to take "the path of least resistence" because, well, it's the easiest and usually the quickest way. But easy does not translate to better nor does it translate to growth. Easy translates to lazy. And, when it comes to our health, lazy translates to disease and "advanced-aging."

more info


12/07/2021
Alkaline Water and Reverse Osmosis: 5 Differences
 If you think that reverse osmosis and alkaline water are the same, you need to think again. Most people think that alkalinity is associated with ionizer machines. In this article, we are going to talk about the difference between reverse osmosis and alkaline water.

more info


12/07/2021
7 Benefits Of Drinking Purified Water
 Everyone has a right to access pure water. As a matter of fact, it is one of the fundamental human rights. Today, many countries of the world do not have access to pure drinking water.

more info


12/06/2021
Meet Your Needs With Medicare Advantage Plans
 The Medicare Annual Enrollment Period - also called AEP can be a time of optimism and an opportunity for Medicare beneficiaries to upgrade their benefits by enrolling in a Part C Medicare Advantage Plan (MAP). The AEP lasts from October 15 to December 7 each year. However, if you are just turning 65, the AEP is unimportant. Your Initial Enrollment Period (IEP) starts 3 months before the month you turn 65 and ends 3 months after the month you turn 65. Finally, if you enrolled in a MAPD Plan between Jan. 1 and March 31, you can switch to another Advantage Plan or drop it in favor of Original Medicare and pick up a standalone Part D prescription plan.

more info


12/06/2021
4 Methods to Test the Acidity Level of Water
 First of all, it is essential to keep in mind that reverse osmosis water is slightly acidic which is not a big deal. However, you still need to be familiar with this approach. In this article, we are going to talk about a couple of methods that can help you test the acidity level of your filtered water.

more info


12/06/2021
5 Major Health Benefits of Using an Alkaline Water Filter
 Nowadays, nobody can deny the importance of water purifiers. But the problem is that most people are not aware of the types of sediments found in tap water. Unfortunately, water filtration systems used by municipal water supply systems cannot make your tap water 100% safe.

more info


12/06/2021
5 Reasons You Should Prefer Alkaline Water
 If you want to maintain your health, you may want to balance the pH level inside your body. Therefore, many experts recommend that you drink alkaline water. Unlike plain water, alkaline water does not contain active acid elements.

more info


12/05/2021
Tips to Help You Maintain Your RO Water Purifier for Optimal Performance
 Nowadays, installing water purifiers has become a necessity for a number of reasons. Since there are tons of water purifiers out there, people find it really confusing to purchase the best one. In other words, you can choose from several technologies to make the best choice.

more info


12/05/2021
Choosing The Best Water Purifier to Filter Your Tap Water
 Water contamination is one of the most common problems across the world. But the problem is that most people don't know the different types of contaminants that can make your drinking water unfit for regular consumption. But the good news is that we know that our drainage systems are quite porous.

more info



Custom Search

More Alzheimer's Articles:

Related Articles

Alzheimer's Disease - Common Risk Factors


Overview of some of the common risk factors for Alzheimer's Disease, compiled by the manager of a Lexington nursing home specializing in Alzheimer's care.

Diagnosing Alzheimer's Disease: Changes in Daily Life


Getting diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease is one of the most life-changing and stressful things that can happen within the confines of a doctor's office. Most people believe that once you are diagnosed with Alzheimer's, it is an immediate death sentence, but that is not true. Alzheimer's comes in stages and while very advanced cases will require 24 hour medical attention and care from a trained nurse or helper, the early stages of the disease are quite manageable with only a few small changes in your life, which is why diagnosing alzheimer's early is key.

Alzheimer's Affects A Growing Segment Of Elderly Population


An updated review of the most common nervous system disorders in the United States found that 67 out of every 1,000 elderly Americans carries a diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease, a figure substantially higher than previous estimates. The findings were published in the January 30 issue of Neurology, the scientific journal of the American Academy of Neurology.

Do You Have Alzheimer's- or Normal Forgetfulness?


We all have moments when we forget something. When we experience occasional memory loss, how can we tell whether it's just normal forgetfulness due to aging, or if we are actually getting Alzheimer's disease? Here are some of the signs that will tell you when your memory loss is normal, and when you should get it checked out.

Learning How To Cope With Alzheimers Disease


Did you know that Alzheimer's Disease is the most common form of dementia? It is a condition that affects the neurological health of an afflicted patient and is a degenerative disease of the brain from which presently, there is no recovery with over 4 Million Americans suffering from this dementia. The illness is devastating and robs both the sufferer and also their family and friends of treasured moments. Alzheimers is equally one of the most emotionally draining and traumatic conditions for both sufferer and family alike.

Coping with Alzheimer's Disease


Many elderly people in nursing facilities have Alzheimer's disease. This disease causes the short term potion of the brain to shut down. Elderly people who have the disease may forget their children's names, but will remember events and people from their childhood.

Psychiatry for Physicians-Dementia - Dementia of Alzheimer's Type


Dementia is a part of the clinical presentation in Alzheimer's disease. It is a silent killer. A clear idea about it is important at least for early diagnosis.

Treating Alzheimer's Disease Naturally


Herbal medicine is one of the more controversial subjects in medical science today. Combine that with Alzheimer's, one of the most misunderstood and confusing illnesses and you have an explosive situation that has many concerned parties on both sides of the issue. There is no known cause for Alzheimer's and no known cure, either. Because of this huge gap in knowledge, treating alzheimer's naturally with herbal treatments has become a big market. With treatments making promises that conventional medicine can't.

New Gene Linked To Alzheimer's


Scientists have discovered a gene that may play an important role in the onset of Alzheimer's disease. The gene, called SORL1, was uncovered in a huge international study involving 6,000 people from varying ethnic groups. Dominican families that carry the gene are about three times more likely to develop Alzheimer's in old age than those who do not have the gene.

Alzheimer's Symptoms


Alzheimer's is a disease that affects the brain cells, it leads to dementia and a deterioration of the brain. This disease can be hard to diagnose, because it happens slowly and the symptoms are mild. The only symptom is a mild forgetfulness, for example, forgetting recent events, and a person name or being unable to solve simple problems.