Brain Health Score Card

Taking care of our brain minimizes the risk of stroke, dementia, and Alzheimer's disease.  Doctors have determined that up to 40% of dementia cases and up to 60% of stroke cases are attributable to modifiable lifestyle risk factors that can be improved.  Many of the risk factors are common between dementia and stroke.

The Brain Care Score (BCS) was developed at the McCance Center for Brain Health to proactively promote brain care.  The BCS is made up of three categories:

1.       Physical Components (blood pressure, blood sugar, cholesterol, and Body Mass Index [BMI])

2.       Lifestyle Elements (nutrition, alcohol, smoking, exercise, and sleep), and

3.       Social/Emotional Factors (stress, social relationships, and meaning/purpose in life).

A study examined the BCS categories and their relationship to stroke and dementia in UK Biobank participants (398,900 people, average age 57, 54% female).

For Dementia:

• Participants under the age of 50, each 5 point higher BCS score was associated with a 59% lower risk
• Participants 50-59, each 5 point higher BCS score was associated with a 32% lower risk
• Participants over 59, each 5 point higher BCS score was associated with an 8% lower risk

For Stroke:

• Participants under the age of 50, each 5 point higher BCS score was associated with a 48% lower risk
• Participants 50-59, each 5 point higher BCS score was associated with a 52% lower risk
• Participants over 59, each 5 point higher BCS score was associated with a 33% lower risk

Takeaway:  Higher Brain Care Scores are associated with lower risk of dementia and stroke.  To view the BCS and evaluate your brain health, click on the Massachusetts General Hospital McCain Brain Care Score.

Well-being is a journey, not a quick fix.

The Legal Brain: A Lawyer’s Guide to Well-being and Better Job Performance is available on Amazon.

One reviewer said:

The Legal Brain is an important tool for understanding the complicated factors that impact lawyer well-being. It will help break the stigma around substance use and mental health disorders in the profession. These challenges are not weaknesses or failings, but brain chemistry issues that can be treated successfully. Lisa Smith, Recovery Advocate and Author of Girl Walks out of a Bar

Sources

Sanjula D. Singh, et al., Frontiers | The predictive validity of a Brain Care Score for dementia and stroke: data from the UK Biobank cohort (frontiersin.org), Nov. 30, 2023

Massachusetts General Hospital McCain Brain Care Score

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