Brain Health as a Key Concept in the Development of Strategies for Delaying Age- Related Cognitive Decline and Alzheimer’s Disease

The rapid growth of the elderly population is accompanied by a continuous increase in the incidence of neurodegenerative diseases. This demographic change has financial, social and cultural consequences although it also represents a business opportunity and a scientific challenge. There is a need for developing novel and creative strategies based in a life-course perspective aimed at the prevention of dementia. In the current paper, the approach to this objective will be based on a review of the “brain health” concept identifying public and private initiatives to promote a healthier lifestyle. We emphasize the relationship between different factors (cognitive training, nutrition, physical activity, bilingualism, stress reduction, intellectual enrichment, etc.) with brain health maintenance and enhancement. Neuroscientific research and studies about “environmental enrichment” in animal models can also help us to search new strategies for maintaining brain functionality. An innovative approach that integrates technology, neuroscience and innovation will contribute to design multi-domain lifestyle interventions. Health education and policies related to public health can aid in the promotion of all the strategies aimed to reach a healthy aging brain, increasing cognitive reserve and contributing to the prevention of age related cognitive decline and dementia.