MJFF_Better-Brain-Health_Single_6.21.22 | Page 5

Regardless of what has brought you here , welcome ! This guide offers clear information and tips for people of all ages , whether just getting older , at increased risk for a brain disease or already diagnosed .

Regardless of what has brought you here , welcome ! This guide offers clear information and tips for people of all ages , whether just getting older , at increased risk for a brain disease or already diagnosed .

Scientists are making unprecedented advances in unraveling the complex biology of the brain both in individuals who are simply aging and in those living with neurological disease . And these insights are flowing quickly into the drug development space to benefit all of us with better brain health that we can hang onto longer .

What it means for everyday people like you and me : Researchers now understand that there is so much we can do in our daily lives to boost brain health . From diet and exercise to social connection , research is piecing together the puzzle of how best to care for our precious brain , how to prevent disease and , if disease does arise , how to best treat it . Dozens of treatments are in clinical trials to slow or stop Parkinson ’ s , Alzheimer ’ s and other brain diseases . And research to predict and even prevent these conditions is expanding in a way we could only dream about a few short years ago .
As a reader of this guide , you might be focused on keeping your brain as healthy as possible throughout life . Or you may have reason to worry about the potential for brain disease , such as Parkinson ’ s or Alzheimer ’ s — perhaps because a family member lives with one of these conditions , you ’ ve learned you have a genetic or environmental influence linked to the disease , or you want to be prepared for whatever might come .
Regardless of what has brought you here , welcome ! This guide offers clear information and tips for people of all ages , whether just getting older , at increased risk for a brain disease , or already diagnosed . It offers simple and effective steps you can take to care for your brain , learn how to limit and live with your personal risk for disease , and get involved in brain health research .
At The Michael J . Fox Foundation , we ’ ve been identifying and partnering with research groups worldwide to enable cutting-edge neurological research for more than two decades . We ’ ve funded more than $ 1.5 billion in research to understand the incredible human brain and what gives rise to Parkinson ’ s and other diseases . And it ’ s part of our Foundation ’ s mission to share everything we ’ re learning with you . In fact , as a board-certified neurologist and movement disorder specialist , it ’ s my entire job .
I hope this guide inspires and empowers you to care for your brain the same way you care for your heart , lungs and every other part of your phenomenal human body .
Better Brain Health | Foreword 03