17 Habits You Can Change to Keep Your Brain Young and Sharp

A Landmark Review Strengthens the Case for Tools Like the Brain Care Score in Preventing Age-Related Brain Diseases

Stroke, dementia, and late-life depression are major health concerns that can significantly impact the quality of life in older adults. Encouragingly, many of these conditions are preventable. A comprehensive systematic review conducted by researchers at Mass General Brigham has identified 17 modifiable lifestyle and health-related factors that contribute to the risk of developing these conditions.

Published in the Journal of Neurology, Neurosurgery & Psychiatry, the study reveals that addressing even one of these risk factors can meaningfully lower the likelihood of developing age-related brain diseases. The findings bolster the use of proactive prevention tools like the Brain Care Score, designed to help individuals track and improve their brain health.

“We found 17 shared, modifiable risk factors for stroke, dementia, and late-life depression,” said senior author Dr. Sanjula Singh, principal investigator at Brain Care Labs, Massachusetts General Hospital. “This underscores that individuals have multiple opportunities to reduce their risk through actionable lifestyle changes.”

To conduct the study, the team systematically reviewed existing meta-analyses on risk factors for each of the three conditions. They then integrated the findings to identify overlapping factors—those that can be changed through behavior or medical management—and assessed their relative impact on quality of life and premature mortality.

The 17 Shared Risk Factors
The review identified key contributors including high blood pressure, chronic kidney disease, elevated fasting glucose, high cholesterol, alcohol consumption, poor diet, hearing loss, chronic pain, physical inactivity, lack of life purpose, poor sleep, smoking, low social engagement, and stress. Notably, hypertension and severe kidney disease were among the most influential, while physical activity and cognitively engaging leisure activities appeared protective—though the researchers caution these associations may reflect effects of the disease itself.

“Because these conditions share common risk factors, targeting even one could lower the risk for all three,” said first author Dr. Jasper Senff of the Singh Lab at Brain Care Labs. “This creates a powerful opportunity for integrated prevention strategies.”

To support these efforts, the Brain Care Score—a tool developed by Mass General Brigham researchers—has been updated to incorporate these findings, helping users assess and improve brain health. The team is now calling for randomized controlled trials to test the effectiveness of interventions guided by the Brain Care Score.

“Healthcare can feel overwhelming, but this study is a reminder that simple, shared prevention strategies can have a big impact,” added Dr. Jonathan Rosand, co-author and Founder of the Global Brain Care Coalition.