Are you interested in maintaining cognitive sharpness as you grow older? A study conducted by researchers at Mass General Brigham, affiliated with Harvard, has identified 17 lifestyle and health factors within your control that could potentially reduce your risk of stroke, dementia, and late-life depression.

This research, published on April 3 in the Journal of Neurology, Neurosurgery & Psychiatry, indicates that making minor adjustments to your daily habits, along with effectively managing specific health issues, can significantly contribute to long-term brain protection.

What the study found

Researchers conducted a review of current studies concerning stroke, dementia, and late-life depression to identify shared risk factors that could potentially be altered through lifestyle modifications or medical interventions. Through data cross-referencing, they discovered 17 factors that may contribute to reducing the risk of developing all three neurological conditions.

Lead author Jasper Senff, a postdoctoral researcher at the Singh Lab, stated, “There is a significant interconnection among these brain diseases. When an individual is diagnosed with one, the likelihood of developing another increases. However, the encouraging aspect is that numerous risk factors overlap. Therefore, by addressing the prevention of one disease, we may also reduce the risk of others.”

What are the 17 risk factors

1. Diabetes- Raises the risk of all three major brain conditions.

2. High blood pressure – A major driver behind stroke, dementia, and depression.

3. Kidney disease – Associated with a higher likelihood of developing brain disorders.

4. High fasting blood sugar – Linked to increased risk across all three conditions.

5. High cholesterol – Especially tied to stroke and cognitive decline.

6. Excessive alcohol consumption – Can negatively affect both brain health and mood.

7. Unhealthy diet – Plays a big role in chronic diseases that impact brain function.

8. Hearing loss – Has been connected to a greater risk of dementia.

9. Chronic pain – May affect mental well-being and cognitive performance.

10. Lack of physical activity – A shared risk factor for all three conditions.

11. Feeling a lack of purpose – May heighten the risk of depression.

12. Poor sleep – Impacts emotional and brain health.

13. Smoking – A known contributor to various brain-related illnesses.

14. Social isolation or loneliness – Strongly linked to depression and cognitive issues.

15. Chronic stress – Can take a toll on both mental and brain function.

16. Untreated depression – May worsen or lead to further neurological problems.

17. Obesity – Increases vulnerability to stroke, dementia, and depression.

How to protect brain health

The research highlights that improving even one risk factor could lower the chances of developing multiple brain conditions. In other words, prevention doesn’t have to be complex. “Healthcare today can feel overwhelming,” said senior author Dr. Jonathan Rosand, a professor of neurology at Harvard Medical School. “But this study reminds us that prevention can be quite straightforward because many serious conditions share the same causes.”

By making simple, manageable lifestyle changes like eating healthier, staying active, managing conditions like high blood pressure or diabetes, and staying socially engaged, people can take meaningful steps toward protecting their brain health. As we grow older and the risk of dementia, depression, and stroke rises, this study sends a hopeful message: we may have more control than we realise. Quitting smoking, improving sleep, or managing stress today could lead to a healthier brain and a better quality of life tomorrow.

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