July 23rd 2024.
In a groundbreaking announcement last December, scientists revealed the development of the Brain Care Score (BCS), a revolutionary tool that can assess a person's risk for dementia or stroke without the need for invasive medical procedures. Not only that, but this score also has the potential to predict the likelihood of developing depression later in life, according to a recent study.
The BCS, which consists of 21 points, takes into account 12 different factors related to a person's physical, lifestyle, and social-emotional well-being. The higher the score, the better a person's overall health. And as it turns out, having a higher BCS can also be linked to a lower risk of developing depression in later years, as defined by the age of 60 or older.
Lead author Dr. Jonathan Rosand, co-founder of the McCance Center for Brain Health at Massachusetts General Hospital and lead developer of the BCS, explained that the score was designed for anyone in the world who may be wondering, "What can I do to take better care of my brain?" In a news release, he expressed his excitement about the study's findings, stating that raising one's BCS not only promotes a healthier brain and reduces the risk of diseases like dementia and stroke, but it may also provide protection against depression.
So what exactly does the BCS measure? The physical components include blood pressure, cholesterol levels, hemoglobin A1c, and body mass index (BMI). The lifestyle factors include nutrition, alcohol consumption, aerobic activity, sleep, and smoking. And the social-emotional aspects take into account relationships, stress management, and finding meaning in life.
It's no secret that depression is a common issue among older adults, with up to one-third or more of people over the age of 60 experiencing it. However, the good news is that lifestyle habits can play a significant role in reducing the risk. This was demonstrated by the study, which analyzed data from over 350,000 participants in the UK Biobank study, a long-term project following the health outcomes of over 500,000 people in the United Kingdom.
The results showed that for every five-point increase in a person's BCS, there was a 33% lower risk of developing late-life depression. Additionally, there was a 27% lower composite risk of developing depression, dementia, or stroke over the course of 13 years on average.
Dr. Richard Isaacson, a preventive neurologist at the Institute for Neurodegenerative Diseases in Florida who was not involved in the study, commented on the significance of these findings. He emphasized that the brain is not separate from the rest of the body, and taking care of physical and lifestyle factors can have a positive impact on not just brain health, but also mental and emotional well-being.
The study also revealed an interesting link between baseline BCS and depression risk among adults under the age of 50. While this may seem surprising, Dr. Isaacson explained that it aligns with the trajectory of other age-related diseases. In fact, in his Alzheimer's prevention clinic, he has seen patients as young as 25 years old. This highlights the importance of lifelong brain care and the fact that diseases like Alzheimer's can have early-life, midlife, and late-life risk factors.
Dr. Sanjula Singh, first author of the study and instructor at the McCance Center for Brain Health, emphasized the need for a holistic approach to understanding brain diseases. She stated that there is still much to be learned about the underlying connections between different brain diseases and the pathways that contribute to them.
For older adults experiencing depression, Dr. Isaacson stressed the importance of seeking care and not just trying to "fight through it" as previous generations may have been taught. He encouraged individuals to talk to their doctor about treatment options such as therapy or antidepressants, which have been shown to have benefits for cognitive function in older adults. In fact, some research has even suggested that certain antidepressants may slow the accumulation of beta-amyloid protein in the brain, a key indicator of Alzheimer's disease. So, seeking help not only improves mental health but can also have positive effects on overall brain health as well.
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