A new evidence-based report, “Time matters: a call to prioritize brain health”, talks about a “window of opportunity” in midlife when individuals may be able to make the biggest difference to their risk of developing a neurodegenerative disease or of delaying its progress.
The report, published by the Oxford Health Policy Forum and launched at the European Health Forum Gastein conference on 3 October 2019, summarises published evidence and the consensus findings of an international multidisciplinary expert group, including clinicians, researchers and representatives from patient advocacy and professional groups.
The report sets out a series of consensus recommendations, including:
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improve public understanding of how to protect brain health through lifestyle measures – such as exercise and a healthy diet
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prepare for the likely increased demand for genetic testing by those wanting to understand their risk of a neurodegenerative disease
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provide access to available and effective treatments in a timely manner
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provide accessible holistic care, including prevention information, treatment options and support
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conduct research to identify accurate and cost-effective tests for disease detection and diagnosis
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develop, validate and approve tests, tools and apps for monitoring brain health.
The experts responsible for the report are now calling for a public health campaign aimed at promoting a “brain-healthy lifestyle” to reduce the risk of developing neurodegenerative brain diseases, such as Alzheimer’s disease (AD) and Parkinson’s disease (PD).
The campaign should support existing health promotion work by emphasising that “what is good for the heart is generally good for the brain,” they say.
They also urge that the campaign be underpinned by a coordinated research programme, which is aimed at developing clinical tests for identifying those at risk of developing neurodegenerative diseases - before signs and symptoms appear. Research to develop new treatments and other tests to facilitate earlier diagnosis must also continue, and health systems must prepare now for the time when such tests are available.
Jean Georges, Executive Director, Alzheimer Europe, was involved in this report.
The full report can be downloaded, here: http://www.oxfordhealthpolicyforum.org/reports/brain-diseases/brain-diseases-report
