Neurocognitive Health
Brain health, cognitive function, neurodegenerative disease prevention, and neuroplasticity
2 insights across 1 source
Contemporary leading causes of death in developed populations are chronic, degenerative, and metabolic conditions—principally atherosclerotic diseases (coronary and cerebrovascular), cancer, neurodegenerative dementias (Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, Lewy body, vascular, frontotemporal), and metabolic disorders that amplify risk; COPD remains a major cause of death but is driven predominantly by cigarette smoking.
This frames why preventing and modifying chronic metabolic and aging‑related processes is essential to reduce present-day mortality, rather than relying mainly on acute care.
Concrete target domains for health‑span interventions are muscular strength, cardiovascular endurance, stamina, balance and coordination, processing speed and working memory, emotional regulation/happiness, and social relationships—improvements in these domains tend to produce 'twofers' (simultaneous gains in function and longevity).
Targets are broad domains rather than prescriptive doses; choose evidence-based interventions for each domain (resistance training for strength, aerobic training for endurance, cognitive training/engagement for processing speed, psychotherapy or social interventions for emotional and relational health).