As a behavioral neurologist and professor in the departments of neurology, psychiatry, and physical medicine and rehabilitation at the University of Pennsylvania, my research focuses on using noninvasive brain stimulation technologies to help people with cognitive problems due to neurological disorders. I also study human cognition with the goal of better understanding how different parts of the brain work in order to help people preserve their brain health and cognition later in life.
Many people today think cognitive decline is an inevitable part of aging. In fact, a recent consumer survey conducted by the McKnight Brain Research Foundation (MBRF) found that 87 percent of Americans are concerned about age-related memory loss and declining brain function as they grow older.
This sentiment is understandable—we rely on our memory to guide us through everyday life, and the thought of experiencing memory loss with age is deeply distressing. Even as physicians, we can empathize with these fears, especially as conversations surrounding diseases like Alzheimer’s and other causes of dementia dominate the news.
While the concerns are natural, it’s imperative for people to understand that cognitive aging is a natural part of the aging process and often doesn’t signify anything more serious. Just like the body, the brain also ages. The process starts at birth and continues through the lifespan.
As part of the MBRF’s Brain Works – Optimize Your Brain Span campaign, we want to help people understand that momentary lapses in memory, such as forgetting a name or misplacing an object, happen to everyone from time to time. We accept that there are natural differences in athletic abilities between a 70-year-old and a 30-year-old, yet normal signs of brain aging often evoke fear of cognitive decline.
Concerningly, only 32 percent of Americans surveyed by the MBRF believe they can take action to help control their brain health as they age, compared to 68 percent who believe they have greater control over their physical health. We also want to help individuals understand that while certain factors affecting how the brain ages may be beyond our control, there are steps we can take to help maintain our cognitive health with age.
To advance this message, I encourage physicians to start talking with their patients from an early age about the actions they can take to promote healthy brain aging. From physical activity to not smoking or drinking excessively, the things you can do to protect your brain health really should be a lifelong practice.
There’s also a strong correlation between physical health and cognitive well-being, particularly in relation to heart health. Prioritizing heart health through actions like maintaining a healthy weight, engaging in regular cardiovascular exercise, and managing blood pressure also contributes to brain health. This understanding can serve as a motivator for patients to embrace healthy habits that will benefit both their physical and cognitive well-being.
I also encourage physicians to discuss other preventive actions that can help reduce cognitive decline, like staying socially engaged, reading or doing puzzles to keep the brain active, and managing stress. These actions also are not exclusive to older individuals; they can be beneficial to all age groups.
As physicians, we need to start treating brain health with the same importance as physical health. Just as we discuss how certain foods promote gut health or the significance of vitamin D for our bones, educating patients on the lifestyle factors that can help them maintain their brain health is equally essential. Not only can this education help alleviate the fear our patients have about age-related memory loss, Alzheimer’s disease, and dementia, but it’s also empowering to know there are things we can do to help preserve our cognitive well-being.
There are a lot of great resources to help physicians and patients learn more about this topic, including the McKnight Brain Research Foundation’s “Brain Works- Optimize Your Brain Span” campaign. The initiative aims to educate the public about cognitive aging and offers tips and resources to help people maintain their brain health. While we can’t prevent our bodies or our brains from aging, there is hope that with a proactive approach, we can maintain cognitive health at any stage of life, allowing people to age independently and enjoy the benefits of a fuller life.
Roy Hamilton is a professor of neurology, psychiatry, and physical medicine and rehabilitation at the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine. He is currently a trustee of the McKnight Brain Research Foundation, director of the Penn Laboratory for Cognition and Neural Stimulation, and director of the Penn Brain Science, Translation, Innovation, and Modulation Center. He can be reached on X @drroyhamilton.
Currently, Dr. Hamilton is working on a campaign with the McKnight Brain Research Foundation to educate the public on healthy cognitive aging and brain health, including steps and lifestyle changes to support cognitive well-being. Find out more on LinkedIn and X @McKnightBrain1.
