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This is a Literature Review study.

September 5, 2025Open Access

Brain health: a new concept to the neurologist – an initiative of the Lifestyle Medicine Commission of the Brazilian Academy of Neurology

Key Points

Brain health plays a crucial role in preventing neurological diseases like stroke and dementia, which are leading causes of death.
Environmental factors, lifestyle choices, and cardiovascular health significantly influence brain health outcomes.
Multifactorial interventions, such as those in the FINGER study, are essential for addressing community-specific brain health needs.
Investment in interdisciplinary research and public education is vital for promoting healthier aging and improved quality of life.

Abstract

Brain health is an emerging concept that is gaining international attention. It encompasses cognitive, sensory, social-emotional, behavioral, and motor functions that enable people to reach their maximum potential throughout all stages of life. With substantial preventable components, neurological diseases-including stroke and dementia-are the second largest cause of death worldwide and of disability-adjusted life years (DALYs). Studies continue to underscore the impact of environmental factors, social connections, lifestyle choices, and cardiovascular health on brain health outcomes. Major programs like the Intersectoral Global Action Plan (IGAP) on epilepsy and other neurological disorders of the World Health Organization (WHO), the American Heart Association's Life's Simple 7 (now Life's Essential 8), and national policies in Uruguay, Switzerland, and Norway emphasize the importance of multidisciplinary care and early prevention. At the community level, programs such as the Finnish Geriatric Intervention Study to Prevent Cognitive Impairment and Disability (FINGER) and its global variants emphasize the value of multifactorial interventions suited to the prevalence of social determinants among each population. It is crucial to encourage the incorporation of brain health into professional training, policy development, and public health frameworks. Despite improvements in stroke prevention, Brazil still has gaps in the research and promotion of brain health. To meet the global objectives for brain health, it is imperative to consistently invest in interdisciplinary research, public education, and equitable access to care in order to promote healthier aging and a better quality of life. The present review examines the various aspects of brain health determinants and offers neurologists and other medical professionals the most recent information by emphasizing prevention strategies, early childhood care, and holistic approaches that go beyond disease management.

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