Science Research
Are You at Risk of Dementia or Stroke?
New “Brain Score” predicts your chances, get a copy here
Scientists developed a new scoring system to measure how well people are caring for their brain health. This “Brain Care Score” looks at 12 parts of your life that affect the brain.
The research found people with higher scores were less likely to get dementia or stroke as they age.
There is a link to a pdf at the end of this article if you want to try out the Brain Score
The Brain Care Score
The Brain Care Score (BCS) covers 3 areas:
Physical Health
This includes blood pressure, blood sugar, cholesterol and body mass index. Keeping these at healthy levels protects the brain.
Lifestyle
This covers nutrition, alcohol use, smoking, exercise and sleep. Good lifestyle habits reduce dementia and stroke risk.
Social and Emotional Health
Managing stress, having social connections, and finding meaning in life may also help the brain stay healthy.
The total BCS goes up to 21 points. Higher scores mean better brain care through these healthy behaviours.
Testing the Brain Score
Researchers looked at almost 400,000 adults aged 40–69 in the UK Biobank study. They calculated each person’s BCS at the start.
Over 12 years, 5,354 people developed dementia and 7,259 had strokes.
Key Finding: Higher Scores, Lower Risk
People with higher BCS scores were less likely to get dementia or stroke:
- For every 5 points higher in BCS, people under 50 had a 59% lower dementia risk and 48% lower stroke risk.
- People aged 50–59 had a 32% lower dementia risk and 52% lower stroke risk per 5 points.
- For over 60, the risk was reduced by 8% for dementia and 33% for stroke.
Improving Your Brain Care Score
The researchers believe working to improve your BCS can lower your future risk. More studies are needed to confirm this.
But for now, aim for ideal blood pressure, cholesterol, blood sugar, nutrition and activity. Limit alcohol and don’t smoke. Manage stress and connect socially.
Importantly, the study only evaluated the BCS at a single timepoint in people’s lives. Additional research is needed to determine whether a person can reduce their risk of having a stroke or developing dementia by improving their BCS over time through behavior changes and lifestyle choices, potentially with the help of clinicians and others who can provide support.
The team is currently conducting studies to see what happens when people raise their BCS by 5 points or more.
Protect your brain by improving your BCS!
This research was supported by the U.S. National Institutes of Health and American Heart Association.
