It is startling to think that in 25 years, nine million Canadians will be 65 or older. In 15 years, the number of people who are considered elderly will double in North America. Age-related neurological conditions will become the leading cause of death and disability in our nation. For both policy makers and health-care leaders, we must be prepared to cope with this reality, including the resulting economic, social and health cost burdens.

Thankfully, we have been here before. For the last few decades, our society has effectively confronted the challenges posed by cardiovascular disease. Over the past 35 years, mortality from heart and vascular ailments has declined 50 per cent – a reflection of advances made in the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of common conditions whose expression begins in midlife and where the most severe disability afflicts us when we attain older age. It has been the combination of risk factor screening, public education, lifestyle changes, the funding of pharmaceutical advances and the continued development of novel rehabilitative therapies that have contributed to the decline.

Dr. William E. Reichman Why can’t we accomplish the same for brain health? Shouldn’t we find ways to readily identify the first signs of sluggish brain performance in midlife? Can’t we work harder to demonstrate that all of us can improve memory and cognitive performance through physical and brain exercise and better nutrition across the lifespan? Can’t we continue to work to find better techniques to identify those specifically at risk for Alzheimer’s disease and precursor states, such as mild cognitive impairment? Shouldn’t we develop theoretically sound and effective clinical interventions to rehabilitate the damaged brain just as we do now for injured joints or a compromised heart?

Baycrest’s role, given our unique strengths, is to be a leader in these next big steps forward in brain health promotion. Together with our partners in government and other sectors, we are going to help our society cross this critical threshold of preventing or delaying the onset of age-related disorders of the brain. We’re not going to wait and follow others; we’re going to lead from our strengths. Our journey is grounded in the world-class cognitive neuroscience conducted in our Rotman Research Institute, and our unrivalled potential to conduct applied science on our campus, which has one of the most comprehensive continuums of aging services in the world. Add to that the Ontario Government’s recent recognition of Baycrest’s position as a world leader in aging brain research, through $10 million in support to create a groundbreaking Centre for Brain Fitness.

Can we commit ourselves to do for brain health what we as a society are doing for cardiovascular health? Can we get to the point where disorders such as dementia, stroke, and late-life depression are not the inevitable consequences of aging for so many of us?

At Baycrest, we’re dedicated to ensuring that as we age, we have healthy bodies, healthy brains...and healthy minds.

Happy reading.

 

 

Donate Now!take the readership survey