The results of a comprehensive systematic review have reinforced the evidence supporting tools like the Brain Care Score in reducing the risk of age-related brain diseases. Conditions such as stroke, dementia, and late-life depression can significantly impact the quality of life in older adults. However, many of these conditions are preventable through targeted interventions.
A systematic review conducted by researchers at Mass General Brigham has identified 17 modifiable risk factors that are common to stroke, dementia, and late-life depression. The study indicates that addressing even one of these factors can significantly reduce the risk of developing these debilitating conditions. The findings have been published in the prestigious Journal of Neurology, Neurosurgery, and Psychiatry, highlighting the potential for the development of new prevention tools, such as the Brain Care Score.
“Our study identified 17 modifiable risk factors shared between stroke, dementia, and/or late-life depression, emphasizing that there are many different steps individuals can take to lower their risks for these age-related brain diseases,” said senior author Sanjula Singh, MD, PhD, MSc (Oxon), principal investigator at the Brain Care Labs at Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH).
The researchers systematically searched the scientific literature for previously published meta-analyses that examined risk factors linked to stroke, dementia, and late-life depression. After identifying relevant studies, they combined the data to pinpoint modifiable risk factors shared among at least two out of the three diseases. Additionally, they estimated the relative impact of each risk factor on measures of quality of life and early mortality.
In total, the researchers identified 17 risk factors shared by at least two of the diseases, which include:
Blood pressure Kidney disease Fasting plasma glucose Total cholesterol Alcohol use Diet Hearing loss Pain Physical activity Purpose in life Sleep Smoking Social engagement StressAmong these factors, high blood pressure and severe kidney disease had the most significant impact on the incidence and burden of stroke, dementia, and late-life depression. Conversely, increased physical activity and participation in cognitive leisure activities (like puzzles) were associated with a lower risk of developing these diseases. However, the researchers suggest these associations may be symptomatic rather than causal, as individuals with brain diseases may struggle to engage in physical and cognitive activities.
“Dementia, stroke, and late-life depression are connected and intertwined, so if you develop one of them, there’s a substantial chance you may develop another one in the future,” noted first author Jasper Senff, MD, post-doctoral fellow at the Singh Lab at the Brain Care Labs at MGH. “Because they share these overlapping risk factors, preventive efforts could lead to a reduction in the incidence of more than one of these diseases, which provides an opportunity to simultaneously reduce the burden of age-related brain diseases.”
Researchers at Mass General Brigham have developed and validated the Brain Care Score to measure efforts aimed at protecting brain health and providing guidance on how to enhance it. The Brain Care Score has been updated to incorporate the latest scientific findings regarding modifiable risk factors.
They emphasize the necessity for further studies on the modifiable risk factors of late-life depression and advocate for a randomized controlled trial to test an intervention utilizing the Brain Care Score. “Healthcare is increasingly complex. But these findings remind us that preventing disease can be very simple. Why? Because many of the most common diseases share the same risk factors,” concluded Jonathan Rosand, MD MSc, Founder of the Global Brain Care Coalition and the JP Kistler Endowed Chair in Neurology at MGH.
