A recent study highlights the lifestyle factors that can be protective against age-related brain conditions, including depression and late life depression. The research used the “Brain Care Score,” measuring lifestyle factors, and found that a higher Brain Care Score is associated with a lower risk of age-related brain disease, including stroke, late-life depression, and dementia.

The Brain Care Score, developed by researchers at Mass General Brigham, is a 21-point assessment that measures lifestyle behaviors and clinical measurements, and generates a score that relates to risk for age-related brain conditions.

The research specifically looked at Brain Care Scores among people with different levels of genetic risk for dementia, depression and stroke. Authors Sandro Marini, M.D., with Massachusetts General Hospital, and colleagues found that “across different genetic predispositions for stroke, late life depression, and dementia, healthier lifestyle behaviors are protective for brain health, demonstrating the nondeterminism of genetic risk."

The research involved information on more than 368,000 participants (median age 58) in the UK Biobank followed over a median period of 12.5 years. Independent of genetic risk, a 5-point increase in Brain Care Score corresponded to lowered risk of stroke, depression and dementia. While incidences of all three conditions were higher among participants with high genetic risk, the increased risks were offset for individuals with a higher Brain Care Scores.

The Brain Care assessment involves measures of dietary habits, alcohol consumption, aerobic activities, sleep habits, stress levels, social relationships, meaning in life, smoking, blood pression, Hemoglobin A1c, cholesterol levels, and Body Mass Index. The Brain Care Score assessment is available online and once completed it provides a pdf of results which can be used in discussions with a healthcare professional to help guide lifestyle changes.

Coauthors Christopher D. Anderson, M.D.., MSc, and Jonathan Rosand, M.D., MSc, note in a Research Spotlight from Mass General Brigham: “Our work emphasizes how powerful healthy lifestyle choices can be, even for those of us who, because of our genes, are at higher risk of deterioration in our brain health as we age. For all of us, including those with higher genetic risk, the BCS offers a simple and direct guide to what we can do to protect our brains as we age. Patients can feel empowered to continue to modify behaviors to improve their health outcomes, regardless of their genetic risk.” (Anderson and Rosand, 2024)

More information

• More on the Brain Care Score from Massachusetts General Hospital
• More on healthy lifestyle for mental health