Neurological Diseases & Health

Neurological Diseases & Health December 2023 | www.futureofpersonalhealth.com

Why Migraine Is More Than Just Head Pain

An independent supplement by Mediaplanet to USA Today

Navigating the Holidays With Parkinson’s Disease

Association of Migraine Disorders

American Parkinson Disease Association

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Because I still have my voice, I decided to share my story to increase awareness and get people invested in finding a cure.

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Brooke Eby An interview with Tiktoker Brooke Eby, @limpbroozkit, after being diagnosed with ALS at age 33

Rett Syndrome: The Neurodevelopmental Disorder That Devastates Families About 1 in every 10,000 girls is born with a rare neurodevelopmental disorder known as Rett syndrome.

A WRITTEN BY Jeffrey Neul, M.D., Ph.D. Pediatric Neurologist, Vanderbilt University; and Member, Clinical Neurological Society of America

s children with Rett syndrome grow, parents notice repetitive hand motions, such as clapping or hand-wringing, as well as unusual patterns of walking or not being able to walk. Rett syndrome also causes the loss of spoken language and intentional hand motions like grasping or reaching.

People with Rett syndrome show this regression of skills, but then stabilize and do not generally continue losing skills. Unfortunately, they do not usually regain the skills lost and need help throughout their lives with routine activities, such as feeding and dressing. Families face the need for round-the-clock care for their child. Despite the disease’s impact, children with Rett syndrome may live into their 50s.

Telltale signs The first stage of the disorder starts with mild delays and subtle symptoms that often go unnoticed by parents and pediatricians. Infants and young children who miss early developmental milestones may still be within the normal range, leading pediatricians to take a “wait-andsee” approach. So, while symptoms develop as early as 6 months of age,

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children with Rett syndrome usually aren’t diagnosed until age 2 or 3.

In the second stage, regression of previously gained hand skills and spoken language occurs.

During regression, some affected people may avoid eye contact or physical contact. This can make diagnosing Rett syndrome more complicated because people may be misdiagnosed as autistic because of these features.

Potential treatments With a confirmed diagnosis of Rett syndrome, families then face hard questions about how to treat and support their child. Treatments have traditionally taken a symptom-bysymptom approach, but this year the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved the first drug to treat Rett syndrome. Known as trofinetide, the liquid medication is a synthetic variant of a small part of a protein that occurs naturally in the brain and can affect various aspects of how the brain functions.

Physicians and families are excited that a drug for treating Rett syndrome has earned FDA approval, a first for this rare disorder. But they are also wary of how health plans could delay or deny treatment Contact information: US.editorial@mediaplanet.com

access, and recognize that some of the side effects like diarrhea may impact how well people can tolerate the drug. In addition to this drug, there are additional treatment approaches being tested, such as gene therapy, raising hope that there may be more treatments for Rett syndrome in the future.

Providing care Coordinating care for a person with Rett syndrome is a timeintensive responsibility, as a multi-disciplinary team is needed to address various problems.

Children with Rett syndrome may see multiple specialists along with a physical therapist, speech-language pathologist, nutritionist, pediatric neurologist, and others.

The value of ongoing research and accessible treatment for Rett syndrome cannot be understated.

Neither can the importance of physical activity, socialization, and support groups. Connectedness and empathy can go a long way toward supporting families bearing the unexpected toll of this devastating neurodevelopmental disease.

Photo Credit @andreaobzerova / Adobe Stock

Please recycle

Publishers Taylor Daniels & Joanna Tronina Managing Director Julia Colavecchia Production Manager Taylor Daniels Lead Editor Dustin Brennan Cover Photo Courtesy of Brooke Eby All photos are credited to Getty Images unless otherwise specified. This section was created by Mediaplanet and did not involve USA Today.

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How Brooke Eby is Sharing Her ALS Story How did you learn you had ALS? Did you notice signs that something was happening before an official diagnosis came?

In 2018, I was walking to a work conference and a few coworkers pointed out that I was limping. I had just gotten off a long course of steroids after an ulcerative colitis flare, so I wasn’t ready for another medical problem. I had my sister, a physiatrist, check my leg and she said I had “drop foot.” That kicked off a four-year diagnosis process — I went to every kind of doctor and got every kind of test, but my onesided limp was a mystery.

Then in the beginning of 2022, I started noticing that walking was getting harder, so I went back to the neurologist. They ran an EMG and determined the denervation that had started in my left foot had officially progressed into my right foot.

That allowed them to officially diagnose me with ALS. ALS disconnects your brain from your muscles, so while now it is just affecting my legs, eventually it will affect my ability to move, talk, swallow, and even breathe.

In 2022, at the age of 33, Brooke Eby was diagnosed with ALS, a progressive degenerative brain disease that is usually fatal within less than five years of diagnosis. To raise awareness of the condition and give a voice to others with it, she began sharing her journey on TikTok (@limpbroozkit). We talked to her about her experience.

What has it been like amassing a community of more than 100,000 followers on TikTok? And how would you describe the feedback/ interaction you have from and with that community?

It has been incredible! ALS is such a quick death sentence — two to five years after diagnosis — so we don’t have a large group of survivors to advocate for us. I don’t think anyone knows much about ALS until they’re affected by it personally. Because I still have my voice, I decided to share my story to increase awareness and get people invested in finding a cure for ALS. I did a video every day in May for ALS awareness month and it was amazing to see people interested in learning more and asking questions.

Are there any tools, resources, or advice you’d like to share with others who have ALS or another chronic disease?

My two pieces of advice are to find a support group and download the Roon app, or go to roon.com, where a ton of patients, top doctors, caregivers, and ALS providers answer any question you may have.

Photo by Lisa Helfert

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Living with a Rare, Neurological, and Misunderstood Disease

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Photo Courtesy of The Speer Family

Myla Speer is your typical 7-year-old girl — full of life, living life to the fullest; she does not let anything get in her way, regardless of the challenges she has faced in her seven short years.

yla was born with a port-wine birthmark on her forehead that her family was told would fade in time. However, at 8 months old, Myla was diagnosed with a rare, devastating, and life-threatening disease called Sturge-Weber syndrome (SWS).

In Myla’s case, her most devastating symptom is seizures. She has a cluster of seizures around the same time each month — usually three to four seizures in a week. Myla experiences strokelike seizures, with her left side not functioning properly.

Unfortunately, medications do not help manage her seizures. So, Myla fights through them, like she does when facing any challenge. She tries to walk through them and ultimately waits for them to pass, which usually takes about 15-20 minutes. Sometimes, she has multiple seizures in the

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same day. Over her lifetime, Myla has experienced more than 50 seizures.

The only way to permanently eradicate the seizures is brain surgery, and Myla’s doctor is afraid that surgery will change her life completely. Her doctor’s recommendation is to not move forward with surgery and instead continue managing the seizures as they occur. He doesn’t feel the surgery is the right choice for her.

The most important thing people can do to help those affected by SWS, like Myla, is to support continued research. The Sturge-Weber Foundation can move the needle forward to find treatments and, ultimately, a cure by raising awareness about the need for research and funding to support ongoing research.

To learn more, scan the QR code below. You can also donate by texting SWFUNITED to 53-555

Written by Karen L. Ball, CEO & Founder; and Alex Van Rees, Public Relations, The SturgeWeber Foundation MEDIAPLANET

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One Patient’s Story Navigating Alzheimer’s Disease From Diagnosis to Treatment Alzheimer’s disease changed Jerome’s life at 82. Through participation in a clinical trial for LEQEMBI (lecanemab-irmb), he found hope. LEQEMBI received traditional approval from the FDA in July for the treatment of Alzheimer’s disease.

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or patients like Jerome, a diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease (AD) can be a devastating and life-changing experience.

Jerome, who lives in Florida with his wife of 27 years, Joanne, was diagnosed with AD in 2019 at age 82. “When I received the news that I had Alzheimer’s disease, I pretty much shut down,” Jerome said. “My whole life I’ve been known for being outgoing, but after my diagnosis, I changed. I barely spoke to my family and friends, and I stopped doing the things that I love like reading and listening to jazz music.”

AD is a serious, debilitating condition that gets worse over time.1 People with AD have a protein called amyloid that continuously builds up in the brain.2 It starts with small forms of amyloid protein that may clump together forming larger amyloid plaques.2 These plaques can damage brain cells impacting memory and the ability to carry out simple, daily tasks.2 Like many patients, Jerome was frightened by his diagnosis. When his doctor suggested he take part in a clinical trial for AD, he was reluctant. “I would purposefully forget to go to my appointments because I felt so hopeless,” he said. “I credit my wife Joanne, my mother-in-law, and my children for pushing past my stubbornness and making sure I attended my appointments and got the care I needed.”

Slowing AD’s progression Jerome participated in Eisai’s Clarity AD 18-month clinical trial which studied the efficacy and safety of LEQEMBI® (lecanemab-irmb) to treat AD. The study was divided into two groups. One group took LEQEMBI (898 people) and the other group were on a placebo and not taking LEQEMBI (897 people). LEQEMBI (injection for intravenous use) is a 04

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prescription medication that received traditional approval from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in July 2023 for the treatment of AD. LEQEMBI should be used in patients with mild cognitive impairment or mild dementia stage of disease, which together are called early AD. Early AD is when symptoms are just starting to interfere with daily life.3 In the large, 18-month study, treatment with LEQEMBI was proven to slow the progression of early AD, helping people remember, solve problems, and complete daily activities for longer.

LEQEMBI can cause serious side effects including amyloid related abnormalities (ARIA), serious allergic reactions, and infusion-related reactions.

Some people may have small spots of bleeding in or on the surface of the brain, sometimes fatal events with larger areas of bleeding have occurred. Ask your doctor about testing for a genetic risk factor that may cause an increased risk for ARIA. Tell your doctor the medicines you take, including if you take medications to reduce blood clots from forming such as antithrombotic medicines like aspirin. Some medicines can increase the risk for larger areas of bleeding in the brain. Most common side effects included infusion related reactions, swelling in areas of the brain, and headache. These are not all the possible side effects of LEQEMBI. Please see additional important safety information and Medication Guide on the next page.

Since starting LEQEMBI, Jerome and Joanne report that they’ve noticed what may be a slowing in the progression of his AD. “Alzheimer’s is a terrible, crippling disease for patients and their care partners, but the fact that we have an approved treatment that can slow the process is a great step in combating the

Jerome (right) and his wife, Joanne | Photo courtesy of Eisai

disease. We went from feeling hopeless to having hope for our future,” said Joanne.

How LEQEMBI works LEQEMBI is thought to work by targeting harmful amyloid proteins and reducing existing amyloid plaques.

LEQEMBI continues to support brain neuron function by removing highly toxic proteins that can cause neuronal injury and death even after plaque removal – offering patients the opportunity for potential continued benefit even after amyloid plaque has been cleared from the brain.4-7 The impact of AD on the brain begins long before signs of the condition begin to appear and by the time a patient presents with symptoms, they already have irreversible damage. This is why it is important to promptly diagnose AD and start treatment with LEQEMBI among appropriate patients as soon as possible.8,9 “Memory loss, problems with thinking, and other symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease may be difficult to talk about, but it’s important to have these conversations with your doctor as soon as you start to notice a pattern,” said Dr. Julie Schwartzbard, a neurologist at Aventura Neurologic Associates in Florida who has been treating people living with neurological conditions, including AD and dementia, for 25 years. “For the first time ever, we’re seeing significant advancements for AD treatment. For patients to maximize benefits, it’s important for them to work with their doctor to diagnose AD and begin treatment as early as possible.”

If you or someone you love may be living with AD, it’s important to speak with your doctor. To learn more about LEQEMBI, visit LEQEMBI.com.

Please see additional important safety information and Medication Guide on next page.

Written by Eisai Inc. and Biogen Inc. READ MORE AT FUTUREOFPERSONALHEALTH.COM

MEDICATION GUIDE LEQEMBI® (leh-kem’-bee) (lecanemab-irmb) injection, for intravenous use What is the most important information I should know about LEQEMBI? LEQEMBI can cause serious side effects including: • Amyloid Related Imaging Abnormalities or “ARIA”. ARIA is a side effect that does not usually cause any symptoms but serious symptoms can occur. ARIA is most commonly seen as temporary swelling in areas of the brain that usually resolves over time. Some people may also have small spots of bleeding in or on the surface of the brain, and infrequently, larger areas of bleeding in the brain can occur. Most people with this type of swelling in the brain do not get symptoms, however some people may have symptoms, such as: • headache • confusion • dizziness • vision changes • nausea • difficulty walking • seizures Some people have a genetic risk factor (homozygous apolipoprotein E gene carriers) that may cause an increased risk for ARIA. Talk to your healthcare provider about testing to see if you have this risk factor. Some medicines can increase the risk for larger areas of bleeding in the brain in patients taking LEQEMBI. Talk to your healthcare provider to see if you are on any medicines that increase this risk. Your healthcare provider will do magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans before and during your treatment with LEQEMBI to check you for ARIA. Call your healthcare provider or go to the nearest hospital emergency room right away if you have any of the symptoms listed above.

What are the possible side effects of LEQEMBI? LEQEMBI can cause serious side effects, including: • see “What is the most important information I should know about LEQEMBI?” • Serious allergic reactions. Swelling of the face, lips, mouth, or tongue, hives, or difficulty breathing have happened during a LEQEMBI infusion. Tell your healthcare provider if you have any symptoms of a serious allergic reaction during or after LEQEMBI infusion.

• Infusion-related reactions. Infusion-related reactions are a common side effect which can be serious. Tell your healthcare provider right away if you get these symptoms during an infusion of LEQEMBI: • fever • flu-like symptoms (chills, body aches, feeling shaky and joint pain) • nausea • vomiting • dizziness or lightheadedness • changes in your heart rate or feel like your chest is pounding • difficulty breathing or shortness of breath If you have an infusion-related reaction, your healthcare provider may give you medicines before your LEQEMBI infusions to decrease your chance of having an infusion-related reaction. These medicines may include antihistamines, anti-inflammatory medicines, or steroids.

The most common side effects of LEQEMBI include: • infusion-related reactions • swelling in areas of the brain, with or without small spots of bleeding in or on the surface of the brain (ARIA) • headache These are not all the possible side effects of LEQEMBI. For more information, ask your healthcare provider or pharmacist. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

What is LEQEMBI? LEQEMBI is a prescription medicine used to treat people with Alzheimer’s disease.

It is not known if LEQEMBI is safe and effective in children.

Do not receive LEQEMBI if you: • have serious allergic reactions to lecanemab-irmb or to any of the ingredients in LEQEMBI. See the end of this Medication Guide for a complete list of ingredients in LEQEMBI. Before receiving LEQEMBI, tell your healthcare provider about all of your medical conditions, including if you: • are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. It is not known if LEQEMBI will harm your unborn baby. Tell your healthcare provider if you become pregnant during your treatment with LEQEMBI. • are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed. It is not known if lecanemab-irmb (the active ingredient in LEQEMBI) passes into your breast milk. Talk to your healthcare provider about the best way to feed your baby while receiving LEQEMBI. Tell your healthcare provider about all of the medicines you take, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements. Especially tell your healthcare provider if you take medicines to reduce blood clots from forming (antithrombotic medicines, including aspirin). Ask your healthcare provider for a list of these medicines if you are not sure.

Know the medicines you take. Keep a list of them to show your healthcare provider and pharmacist when you get a new medicine.

How will I receive LEQEMBI? • LEQEMBI is given by a healthcare provider through a needle placed in • your vein (intravenous (IV) infusion) in your arm.

• LEQEMBI is given every 2 weeks. Each infusion will last about 1 hour.

• If you miss an infusion of LEQEMBI, you should receive your next dose as soon as possible.

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General information about the safe and effective use of LEQEMBI. Medicines are sometimes prescribed for purposes other than those listed in a Medication Guide. You can ask your pharmacist or healthcare provider for information about LEQEMBI that is written for healthcare professionals. There is a registry that collects information on treatments for Alzheimer’s disease. The registry is named ALZ-NET (Alzheimer’s Network for Treatment and Diagnostics). Your healthcare provider can help you become enrolled in this registry.

What are the ingredients in LEQEMBI? Active ingredient: lecanemab-irmb.

Inactive ingredients: arginine hydrochloride, histidine, histidine hydrochloride monohydrate, polysorbate 80, and water for injection.

Manufactured by: Eisai Inc. Nutley, NJ 07110 U.S. License No. 1862 LEQEMBI® is a registered trademark of Eisai R&D Management Co., Ltd. © 2023 Eisai Inc. and Biogen For more information, go to www.LEQEMBI.com or call 1-888-274-2378.

This Medication Guide has been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Revised: 7/2023 LEQE-US3040 © Eisai Inc. December 2023 References 1 Hickman RA, Faustin A, Wisniewski T. Alzheimer Disease and Its Growing Epidemic: Risk Factors, Biomarkers, and the Urgent Need for Therapeutics. Neurol Clin.

2016;34(4):941-953. doi: 10.1016/j.ncl.2016.06.009. 2 Alzheimers Association. (2022).

Brain Tour Part 2 – Alzheimer’s Effect. Retrieved August 10, 2023, from https://www.alz.org/ alzheimers-dementia/what-is-alzheimers/brain_tour_part_2 3 Alzheimer Society of Canada.

(2022). Progression. PS300-2E 2022. Retrieved July 19, 2022, from https://alzheimer.ca/ sites/default/files/documents/Progression-early-stage--Alzheimer-Society_14.pdf 4 Brendza RP, et al. Anti-Aβ antibody treatment promotes the rapid recovery of amyloid-associated neuritic dystrophy in PDAPP transgenic mice J Clin Invest. 2005;115(2):428-433. https://doi. org/10.1172/JCI23269. 5 Ono K, Tsuji M. Protofibrils of Amyloid-β are Important Targets of a Disease-Modifying Approach for Alzheimer’s Disease. Int J Mol Sci. 2020;21(3):952. doi: 10.3390/ijms21030952. 6 Söderberg L, et al. Lecanemab, Aducanumab, and Gantenerumab — Binding Profiles to Different Forms of Amyloid–Beta Might Explain Efficacy and Side Effects in Clinical Trials for Alzheimer’s Disease. Neurotherapeutics (2023) 20:195–206 https:// doi.org/10.1007/s13311-022-01308-6 7 Hartley DM, Walsh DM, Ye CP, Diehl T, Vasquez S, Vassilev PM, Teplow DB, Selkoe DJ. Protofibrillar intermediates of amyloid beta-protein induce acute electrophysiological changes and progressive neurotoxicity in cortical neurons. J Neurosci. 1999;19(20):8876-84. doi: 10.1523/JNEUROSCI.19-20-08876. 8 Arendt T, Brückner MK, Morawski M, Jäger C, Gertz HJ. Early neurone loss in Alzheimer’s disease: cortical or subcortical? Acta Neuropathologica Communications. 2015;3(1):10. doi:10.1186/s40478-0150187-1 9 van Dyck CH, Swanson CJ, Aisen P, et al. Lecanemab in Early Alzheimer’s Disease.

New England Journal of Medicine. 2023;388(1):9-21. doi:10.1056/NEJMoa2212948 MEDIAPLANET 05

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Why Migraine Is More Than Just Head Pain

A Guide to Non-Medication Therapies for Children With Epilepsy If you have a child with epilepsy who has tried two or more anti-seizure medications but is still experiencing seizures, these treatments may help:

Migraine is a disabling disease that can impact all aspects of a person’s life. Unfortunately, many people think of migraine as just a terrible headache.

Surgery Surgery is viewed as the frontline treatment for patients with epilepsy who are still experiencing seizures after trying at least two anti-seizure medications. The most common goal of epilepsy surgery is to remove the part of a person’s brain that is causing them to have seizures.

“It’s scary to think about bringing in your child for epilepsy surgery, but surgery can offer hope for many families,” said Dr. Renée Shellhaas, M.D., M.S., a member of the American Epilepsy Society (AES) board of directors and a pediatric neurology clinician-investigator at the Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis. “I have cared for families who wished they had been offered epilepsy surgery sooner.”

Neuromodulation In situations where the “seizure onset zone” in the brain either cannot be clearly identified or overlaps with a part of the brain that cannot be removed, neuromodulation can be an effective alternative to surgery.

“By stimulating parts of the seizure network, neuromodulation can help to disrupt seizures,” said Dr. Chengyuan Wu, M.D., M.S.Bm.E., chief of the Division of Epilepsy and Neuromodulation Neurosurgery at Thomas Jefferson University Hospital in Philadelphia.

“At the same time, because neuromodulation does not involve removal of any part of the brain, its effects are reversible.”

Medical diets If medication and surgery are ineffective, one of three variations of the ketogenic diet (a classic ketogenic diet, a modified Atkins diet, or a low glycemic index diet) could help reduce seizures for children and adults with epilepsy.

“Ketogenic diet therapies are considered standard of care for patients with glucose transporter type I deficiency syndrome,” said Dr. Mackenzie C. Cervenka, M.D., medical director of the Adult Epilepsy Diet Center at Johns Hopkins Hospital in Baltimore.

Written by Dustin Brennan To learn more, visit aesnet.org

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hat many people don’t understand is that a headache can be just one of many symptoms of migraine. People who live with migraine disease often experience “migraine attacks,” where they have severe symptoms for a period of time.

Here’s everything you need to know about migraine, including lesser known symptoms and what to do if migraine is affecting you.

What is migraine?

Migraine is a complex neurological disease that can impact multiple body systems. The “textbook” definition of migraine is a moderate to severe pulsating headache often felt on one side. It can be aggravated by physical activity. In addition, people have nausea or vomiting, and/or sensitivity to light and sound. Attacks typically last 4-72 hours but are sometimes longer.

Surprising migraine symptoms There are many other symptoms that can occur before, during, or after an attack.

A few you may not realize are associated with a migraine attack may include: • • • •

• • • •

Irritability or other mood changes Brain fog or trouble focusing Hearing a buzzing/ringing noise (tinnitus) Experiencing pain from things that don’t normally cause pain (allodynia), for example, scalp pain while brushing your hair, or pain when your ears are exposed to cold or wind.

Smelling odors that aren’t actually there (phantosmia) Neck pain or stiffness Food cravings or increased thirst Frequent yawning

• •

Increased urination Sinus complaints, such as congestion, runny nose, or pain

Everyone’s migraine experience is unique Migraine doesn’t look the same for everyone. In fact, one person can experience different symptoms from attack to attack.

About one-third of people with migraine experience an aura — a temporary sensory disturbance that occurs before or during the headache.

The most common aura is visual. People may have blind spots or see colorful dots, flashes of lights, or zig-zag patterns.

Other aura symptoms can include speech or language problems, or even numbness or tingling in your face, tongue, or arms.

Not only do migraine symptoms vary, but so can the frequency of attacks.

Some people have more frequent attacks than others. People with chronic migraine (as opposed to episodic migraine) have 15 or more headache days per month with migraine symptoms on eight or more days for at least a few months.

Migraine relief is possible Migraine disease can be burdensome and disabling. Whether you have one attack per year or 25 attacks in a month, relief is possible. Recent advancements in migraine research have led to new migraine-specific therapies. New medications, devices, and treatment options are available.

Finding helpful treatments may take trial and error. By working with your healthcare provider, it’s possible to find an effective treatment plan.

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Four Simple Ways to Support Brain Health

It’s never too early to start prioritizing your brain health. Follow these everyday tips to keep your brain healthy and lower your risk of developing brain disease.

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s we age, we start to encounter the natural effects of aging on the brain, such as cognitive decline and memory loss. For some, these issues can progress more rapidly due to common brain diseases like Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s.

The good news is that there are ways you can lower your risk of developing brain disease. It starts with a commitment to prioritizing your brain health. Education and awareness of brain disease can lead to better prevention and access to treatment. Below, we’ve outlined four simple ways you can improve your brain health and support others who are dealing with brain disease.

Get plenty of sleep Adults should get seven to eight hours of sleep per night. Both quantity and quality of sleep are critical for brain health. It’s a twoway relationship: Our brains and bodies regulate our sleep patterns, and sleep affects our brain health and body functions.

Research has linked sleep disturbances, such as fragmented sleep, to an increased risk for diseases like Parkinson’s and READ MORE AT FUTUREOFPERSONALHEALTH.COM

Alzheimer’s. Studies show that high-quality sleep may help prevent the toxic buildup of proteins in the brain that have been linked to Alzheimer’s disease.

Based on this research, addressing sleep disturbances and managing circadian rhythms may help alleviate symptoms of Alzheimer’s and other brain diseases.

Protect yourself from head injuries Taking everyday precautions against head injuries — like wearing a seatbelt or helmet — will help protect your long-term brain health. When playing sports, be sure to follow all safety rules and have a concussion plan in place in advance. For children, use age- and size-appropriate car seats and ensure they are properly installed.

You can also help prevent falls by using safety features like highchair straps and stair gates.

Head injuries can contribute to a range of brain diseases and disorders, even when an injury doesn’t seem severe at the time.

Exercise regularly Maintaining a regular exercise routine is one of the most effective ways to promote brain health.

The best exercises for brain health

are ones that increase your heart rate, such as running and kickboxing. You should build up to doing 30 minutes of moderate-intensity exercise multiple days per week, aiming for a total of at least 150 minutes per week.

While it has many benefits overall, aerobic exercise may activate beneficial genes in the brain and help with memory.

Additionally, research shows that people who are physically active are less likely to have a decline in their mental function and have a lower risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease.

Keep your mind active Think of the brain as a muscle: to keep it in shape, you need to stay mentally active. Hobbies and personal interests, social engagement and learning new things can all have a positive effect on brain health.

Keep your brain active by stimulating it in new ways, such as doing puzzles, reading, and playing cards.

Studies have also found that art and music therapies have multiple benefits for people living with diseases like Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s — in part because they help engage different areas of the brain. Activities like riding a bicycle, dancing, and boxing have been found to activate uplifting emotions and a sense of reward, generating positive effects and aiding in symptom management for people with Parkinson’s.

Some of the above everyday actions can play an important role in keeping our brains healthy and active. Beyond taking care of your own brain health, you can also make a difference by offering support to caregivers and family members of people living with brain disease.

Written by and photo courtesy of The American Brain Foundation MEDIAPLANET

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