AAN shares 12 patient-provider conversation starters about brain health

Key takeaways:

• A wealth of external factors is likely to affect an individual’s brain health.
• Discussion of these factors with health care providers is necessary to maintain and improve brain health.

In a newly published paper, the American Academy of Neurology promoted 12 key concepts for patients and providers to successfully promote and maintain brain health.

“Continued advocacy by neurologists, including efforts to fund scientific research and improve access to health care, improves brain health on a national level,” lead author Linda M. Selwa, MD, associate chair of clinical operations in the department of neurology at the University of Michigan Medical School and fellow of the American Academy of Neurology, said in a release related to the paper, published in Neurology. “There are many ways to improve brain health individually and resolving to improve your brain health in the new year is a great start.”

Developed through research and consensus among leaders in the field, “Emerging Issues in Neurology” articles are published by the AAN to offer guidance to neurologists on emergent issues of patient care for which formal evidence is evolving.

Selwa and colleagues synthesized the latest available evidence on a range of social, economic, physical and environmental factors that influence brain health into a 12-letter mnemonic, SAFEST BRAINS, which highlights its influence across the lifespan.

This memory device additionally aims to provide a framework for individuals, including those with active neurologic conditions, to discuss various aspects of brain health with their providers to enhance quality of life and delay disease progression:

• Sleep — Does an individual get enough sleep, or feel sufficiently rested after sleeping?
• Affect — Does an individual feel good about their mood, state of mind and overall mental health, including concerns about anxiety or stress?
• Food and diet-related issues — Does an individual or family have any concerns about availability of food and/or meal planning with healthy foods, vitamins or additional supplements?
• Exercise — Are there ways an individual can better fit exercise into a daily or weekly schedule?
• Social interactions and social support — What is the status of contact with close friends, family or other acquaintances, and what is the overall status of one’s support system?
• Trauma avoidance — What steps does an individual take to ensure both personal safety and for that of one’s family?
• Blood pressure — How can one best maintain good blood pressure or take the appropriate steps to manage issues at home and in daily life which may arise from anxiety or stress that might have negative consequences?
• Risk factors — What can be done to prevent, control or mitigate certain genetic and metabolic factors such as blood sugar, cholesterol or other neurologic conditions?
• Affordability and adherence — How can an individual best manage cost and availability of their necessary medication with a daily routine?
• Infection — What are the steps to take if one is not current with all necessary vaccines and how can one access the latest viable information about them?
• Negative exposures — What is an individual’s status regarding consumption of alcohol, tobacco, medication, or what external environmental factors may negatively impact one’s health status?
• Social and structural determinants of health — What concerns or issues would an individual express about their housing and transportation status, their physical and emotional safety as well as access to insurance and health care?

“Neurologists are the experts in brain health, with the training and insight needed to help you keep your brain in top shape throughout life,” American Academy of Neurology President Carlayne E. Jackson, MD, FAAN, stated in a related release. “This article can serve as a great conversation starter for you and your physician about ways to keep your brain healthy.”

Reference:

Twelve questions to ask your doctor for better brain health in the new year. https://www.aan.com/PressRoom/Home/PressRelease/5223. Published Dec. 23, 2024. Accessed Dec. 26, 2024.