A national survey commissioned by The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center suggests that many Americans are reconsidering when brain health should become a priority. Most respondents said protective habits should begin before age 40, while 60% reported wanting to focus on brain health earlier in life but not knowing which actions to take. Neurologist Douglas Scharre, MD, says that building healthy routines during young and middle adulthood may strengthen the brain’s “reserve”—its ability to continue functioning despite age-related changes or disease-related damage.
The survey included approximately 1,000 U.S. adults and points to a growing public interest in preventing cognitive decline before memory problems become obvious. Scharre, medical director of Ohio State’s Center for Cognitive and Memory Disorders and a professor of neurology at Ohio State College of Medicine, argues that brain health is not limited to older adults or people with a family history of dementia. According to him, the decades before conventional memory screening begins may represent an important window for reducing modifiable risks and supporting long-term cognitive performance.
One of the most consistently recommended strategies is regular physical activity. Exercise increases blood flow throughout the body and brain, supports cardiovascular health and may help regulate biological processes linked to inflammation, insulin sensitivity and vascular injury. Because conditions such as hypertension, diabetes and stroke can affect cognition, protecting the circulatory system also protects the neural networks that depend on a continuous supply of oxygen and nutrients. Scharre recommends consistent exercise rather than occasional bursts of activity, emphasizing that sustainable habits are more likely to produce lasting benefits.
Sleep is another central component of the brain-health equation. During high-quality sleep, the brain cycles through processes involved in memory consolidation, emotional regulation and metabolic maintenance. Disrupted or insufficient sleep can interfere with attention and learning in the short term, while persistent sleep problems have been associated with a range of long-term neurological and cardiovascular risks. Although healthy sleep cannot guarantee protection from dementia, maintaining a regular sleep schedule and addressing conditions such as sleep apnea may help preserve the cognitive systems needed for memory and decision-making.
Diet may also influence the biological environment in which the brain operates. Scharre highlights a Mediterranean-style pattern centered on fruits, vegetables, lean proteins and healthy oils such as olive oil. This approach supplies fiber, vitamins, minerals and unsaturated fats while generally limiting highly processed foods and excessive saturated fat. Its potential benefits may arise indirectly through improved blood pressure, cholesterol and glucose control, as well as through effects on inflammation and vascular function. Researchers caution, however, that dietary patterns work as part of an overall lifestyle rather than as a single guaranteed intervention.
Social interaction and mentally stimulating activities provide another form of cognitive exercise. Conversation requires the brain to interpret language, monitor facial expressions, retrieve memories, make judgments and respond to changing social cues. Puzzles, games, music and learning a language similarly challenge attention, working memory and problem-solving. Playing an instrument, for example, can combine auditory processing, motor coordination and long-term memory. These activities may help maintain cognitive flexibility, although scientists continue to investigate how much they directly delay neurodegenerative disease rather than simply improving performance on practiced tasks.
The Ohio State report also emphasizes the value of identifying cognitive changes early. Scharre recommends that adults without a family history of memory problems begin routine screening around age 65, while people with a strong history of early cognitive decline may consider testing sooner. The Self-Administered Gerocognitive Examination, or SAGE, is an 11-question assessment designed to evaluate several thinking abilities, including memory, language, orientation and problem-solving. It is not a diagnostic test for Alzheimer’s disease, but it can provide a baseline that clinicians may compare with results collected later.
Early assessment can be particularly important as new treatments for Alzheimer’s disease become available. If a screening result raises concerns, a physician may investigate potentially reversible or treatable causes, including thyroid disorders, medication effects, depression, nutritional deficiencies or vascular injury. Additional evaluation may involve neurological examinations, blood tests or magnetic resonance imaging. Scharre warns that people often dismiss subtle memory changes and delay seeking help for years. In disorders where treatment is most effective during earlier stages, waiting until daily functioning deteriorates may reduce available options.
The SAGE test can be repeated using alternate versions six to 12 months later, reducing the likelihood that people will simply remember the answers from a previous assessment. An exact digital version has also been developed and validated by BrainTest Inc. SEZC. Scharre serves on the company’s Scientific Advisory Board and as its head of medical affairs, a relationship disclosed in the report. This connection does not invalidate the broader health recommendations, but it is relevant when evaluating information about digital access to the assessment and its commercial applications.
The survey was conducted by SSRS through its Opinion Panel Omnibus between May 14 and May 18, 2026, among 1,004 adults. Data were collected online from 974 respondents and by telephone from 30 respondents, with a reported margin of error of plus or minus 3.5 percentage points at the 95% confidence level. The results describe public attitudes rather than proving that any individual habit will prevent dementia. Alongside exercise, sleep, diet, social engagement and mental stimulation, Scharre advises protecting the brain from traumatic injury by wearing seatbelts and helmets and avoiding high-impact activities. His message is simple: cognitive health is shaped over decades, and the earlier people adopt protective habits, the more opportunity they may have to preserve brain function.
Subject of Research: People
Article Title: Survey shows Americans want to start brain health habits earlier
Web References:
https://wexnermedical.osu.edu/
https://wexnermedical.osu.edu/brain-spine-neuro/memory-disorders
https://wexnermedical.osu.edu/brain-spine-neuro/memory-disorders/sage
References:
SSRS Opinion Panel Omnibus survey, conducted May 14–18, 2026.
Alzheimer’s Association, Alzheimer’s Disease Facts and Figures report: https://www.alz.org/getmedia/ef8f48f9-ad36-48ea-87f9-b74034635c1e/alzheimers-facts-and-figures.pdf
Image Credits: The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center
Keywords: Brain; Cognitive disorders; Dementia; Neurodegenerative diseases; Alzheimer disease
