It is possible to reduce the risk of Alzheimer's

While the Ministry of Health continues its prevention and awareness campaigns for conditions like diabetes, hypertension, and obesity, Prof. Dr. Aslı Demirtaş Tatlıdede, Head of the Neurology Department at Bahçeşehir University Faculty of Medicine, stated that these chronic diseases are far more critical than expected. Highlighting the report of the Lancet Dementia Prevention, Intervention, and Care Standing Committee, Demirtaş Tatlıdede said, "Our fight against these chronic diseases directly impacts not only our cardiovascular health but also our brain health and the risk of Alzheimer's. Vascular health is crucial for the proper functioning of our brains. By controlling diabetes, hypertension, high LDL cholesterol, smoking, and excessive alcohol consumption, we can reduce the risk of dementia by 14 percent." Tatlıdede stated that all factors that support our vascular health have important protective effects on our brain health, emphasizing that treating vision and hearing loss, which are the channels that allow external stimuli to flow to our brain, provides a significant 9 percent reduction in the risk of dementia, while avoiding isolation, increasing quality socialization, and treating depression if present reduces this risk by 8 percent.

An active life, a healthy brain

Professor Dr. Aslı Demirtaş Tatlıdede, who recommends reducing obesity starting in middle age and exercising regularly for at least 150 minutes per week, stated that physical activity is essential for brain health. Highlighting the impact of air quality on brain health, she said, "Breathing clean air is also critical for brain health, as some substances in polluted air can cause an inflammatory reaction in the brain, which we call inflammation. At the same time, we need to protect our brains from head trauma and external damage."

Every investment you make in your brain is valuable

Prof. Dr. Demirtaş Tatlıdede emphasized that the risk of dementia decreases as the duration of education increases and that it is important to remain mentally active in adulthood, and continued:

"Trying to learn a new language or musical instrument, or engaging in activities that you enjoy but that challenge your mind, will delay the onset of the disease. These investments we make in our brains help preserve brain function and better cope with the disease."

Artificial intelligence improves the brain, misuse makes it lazy

Prof. Dr. Aslı Demirtaş Tatlıdede, noting that studies have shown a 42 percent lower risk of cognitive impairment in older people who use technology, stated that the positive and negative effects of artificial intelligence on brain aging depend on how it is used. She emphasized that adapting AI-based platforms to individual needs and providing a personalized learning experience is crucial for efficient use. She emphasized that exercises that adapt to each individual's pace and learning style can increase cognitive gains by enabling more effective understanding, learning, and recall in the brain.

Demirtaş Tatlıdede emphasized the promising nature of digital biotechnology studies aimed at detecting cognitive decline at an early stage. He stated that mental health support apps can help reduce stress, improve attention, and increase cognitive endurance. He continued, "However, from a negative perspective, we can say that there's a risk of making our brains lazy. GPS navigation systems, while helpful for traveling in unfamiliar environments, can affect brain regions related to spatial functions and navigation skills in the long run. Artificial intelligence platforms like ChatGPT may limit an individual's ability to evaluate and analyze information and develop their own ideas and opinions in the long run."

"Keeping your brain young is in your hands"

Prof. Dr. Aslı Demirtaş Tatlıdede stated that, as the aging process does not progress in the same way for everyone, it is possible to ensure that the brain ages well and to slow down the aging process significantly. She continued:

"There's a group of people who age really well, what we call 'super-agers.' By the time they're 80, their brains are functioning at mid-life levels. We see that super-agers have stronger social relationships, are curious, constantly learn new things, are more physically active, and have more movement throughout the day compared to their peers. By paying attention to these factors, it's possible to ensure the brain ages well and significantly slow down the aging process. Keeping your brain young is in your hands."

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Reporter: News Center