The role of population-level preventive care for brain health in ageing

Over the past several decades, a worldwide demographic transition has led to an increasing number of older adults with chronic neurological conditions. These conditions, which have a profound effect on the cognitive function and physical ability of older adults, also have a long preclinical phase. This feature provides a unique opportunity to implement preventive measures for high-risk groups and the population as a whole, and therefore to reduce the burden of neurological diseases. The concept of brain health has emerged as the overarching theme to define overall brain function independently of underlying pathophysiological processes. We review the concept of brain health from the ageing and preventive care perspectives, discuss the mechanisms underpinning ageing and brain ageing, highlight the interplay of various forces resulting in deviation from brain health towards brain disease, and provide an overview of strategies to promote brain health with a life-course approach.

Automated summary

In the past few decades, the increasing number of older adults with chronic neurological conditions due to global demographic transition has become a significant issue. These conditions greatly affect the cognitive function and physical ability of older adults and have a long preclinical phase. The concept of brain health has emerged to promote preventive measures for high-risk groups and the general population in order to reduce the burden of neurological diseases. This review discusses the concept of brain health from the aging and preventive care perspectives, explores the mechanisms underlying aging and brain aging, highlights the interplay of various factors leading to deviation from brain health to brain disease, and provides an overview of lifelong strategies to promote brain health.