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Key Story Facts:
- Survey: The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center commissioned a national survey of 1,000 U.S. adults, which found most respondents believe brain health efforts should start before age 40.
- Expert: Douglas Scharre, MD offers brain boosting habits to fight cognitive decline.
- Free tool: At-home “SAGE” cognitive test, developed by Dr. Scharre, available to public.
- Patient case: Linda Barber, who carries genetic risk for Alzheimer’s disease, participates in Ohio State Wexner Medical Center clinical trials.
A new national survey from The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center finds most U.S. adults believe brain health protective habits should begin before age 40. Douglas Scharre, MD, the medical director of the Center for Cognitive and Memory Disorders, says simple, age-specific habits in your 20s, 30s and 40s, including regular exercise, quality sleep, a Mediterranean diet, socializing, puzzles and playing an instrument, can help delay memory decline for years. By age 65, he recommends baseline cognitive testing, even without a family history of dementia. The story follows Linda Barber, who tested positive for two Alzheimer’s-linked genes and is now enrolled in a clinical trial at The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center to test an infusion drug that breaks down brain plaque. Dr. Scharre also developed the free, 15-minute at-home “SAGE” cognitive screening test, available on the medical center’s website.
