Man fools himself. He prays for a long life, yet he fears old age.

Grace Stutzmann, PhD, director of the Center for Neurodegenerative Disease and Therapeutics, shared that proverb during RFU’s inaugural Alzheimer’s Prevention Day alongside a graphic showing the growth in human life expectancy from 18 years in the Iron Age to 78 in the early 21st century.

“In terms of a long life, we’ve done exceedingly well — life expectancy has increased considerably over the ages,” she said, “but with that, we bring this plethora of age-related degenerative disorders. The most common is Alzheimer’s.”

Researchers including Dr. Stutzmann — who has long studied the early neuronal pathology that develops in Alzheimer’s disease (AD) — took part in a May 15 roundtable discussion, which highlighted that even as they pursue therapeutics for AD, there are everyday tools we can use to promote brain health.

Dr. Stutzmann noted that certain factors increase the risk of developing AD — like age, previous head injury, genetic risk factors, and a sedentary lifestyle with poor diet and ragged sleep habits. A focus on prevention through wellness might produce a pound or more of cure.

Another speaker at the forum, Holly Hunsberger, PhD, shared a proverb-like message during her presentation: Exercise is the closest thing we’ve found to a magic bullet for combating the effects of aging.

“Exercise can change your brain connectivity, it can change your brain metabolism and it can help you age gracefully,” said Dr. Hunsberger, pointing out that norepinephrine, endorphins, serotonin and other neurotransmitters are boosted by physical activity.

Our annual Research edition of Helix brings the reader into the labs where experts are pursuing not only neurological wellness but treatments for cancer, substance abuse and other challenges. While we wait to see promising developments become common therapies, we have homework of our own to nurture our brains — as Dr. Stutzmann put it, “Basically, all the things you learned in kindergarten: Eat well, sleep well, play, engage in intellectual activities.”

Dan Moran is the former communications director in RFU’s Division of Marketing and Brand Management.