AAN Brain Health Initiative
AAN Brain Health Initiative
The American Academy of Neurology’s groundbreaking Brain Health Initiative focuses on enhancing brain health at every stage of life, from a person’s earliest years of development to their oldest years.
In an era where cognitive well-being is increasingly recognized as paramount to overall health and productivity, we are proud to take a pioneering step towards promoting rigorous education, public policy, scientific discovery, and collaborative partnerships. Our commitment is to improve lives and make a meaningful impact on the landscape of brain health.
Read the AAN’s Brain Health Position Statement.
AAN Mission
To enhance member career fulfillment and promote brain health for all.
Brain Health Definition
A continuous state of attaining and maintaining the optimal neurologic function that best supports one’s physical, mental, and social well-being through every stage of life.
The AAN updated its figure on the global burden of neurological disease in line with the World Health Organization's analysis, which found over 1 in 3 people worldwide are living with a neurological condition.
The complete analysis was published in The Lancet Neurology in March.
Pillars of Brain Health
The Initiative’s pillars of science, patient care, public policy, and public education provide the framework for the AAN’s vision of brain health for all.
Science
Accelerating research and discovery to achieve scientific breakthroughs in preventing neurologic conditions and advancing brain health research.
Patient Care
Providing trustworthy brain health resources to medical professionals at all stages of training.
Public Policy
Advancing brain health by working with policymakers on the federal and state levels.
Public Education
Engaging with the public about how to keep your brain healthy through every stage of life.
The first-ever Ralph L. Sacco Scholarships for Brain Health have been awarded to two researchers, Patrick Devlin, Ph.D., of Houston, Texas, and Cyprien Rivier, M.D., M.Sc., of New Haven, Connecticut. Each will receive a $150,000 two-year scholarship to support continuing scientific research in brain health. Devlin and Rivier also receive the honor of being named the first inaugural “Sacco Scholars.”
Brain Health Resources
Science
- Does Using Your Brain More at Work Help Ward Off Thinking, Memory Problems? | April 17, 2024
- More Than Half a Million Global Stroke Deaths May Be Tied to Climate Change | April 10, 2024
- Earlier Menopause Plus High Cardiovascular Risk May Lead to Cognitive Problems Later | April 3, 2024
Patient Care
- With Increased Biomarker Testing, Experts Are Redefining How to Describe and Discuss Dementia (Neurology Today®) | May 2, 2024
- Military Researchers Find an Association Between Serious TBI and Brain Cancer (Neurology Today®) | April 4, 2024
- Exploring the Exposome, Researchers Parse Out Environmental Triggers of Neurodegenerative Disease (Neurology Today®) | April 4, 2024
Public Policy
- AAN Submits Letter of Support to Vermont Senate Committee on Health and Welfare Prior to Hearing on H.766, Prior Authorization Reform Legislation | April 22, 2024
- AAN Joins Comments Regarding Expansion of Prior Authorization Within Medicare Fee for Service | April 16, 2024
- AAN Joins American Brain Coalition Requesting Congress to Provide at least $740 Million in Funding for BRAIN Initiative in FY25 | April 2, 2024
Public Education
EVENTS
AAN Annual Meeting
The AAN Annual Meeting is the largest gathering of neurologists and neuroscience professionals and offers top-tier education, the latest in scientific discoveries, and an abundance of opportunities to connect with friends and colleagues from around the globe.
Interested in viewing brain health content from the 2024 Annual Meeting? Conferences On Demand allows you access to over 500 hours of content, including 375+ CME through March 1, 2025.
AAN Brain Health Summit
The 2023 AAN Brain Health Summit was held on September 21, 2023, in Washington, DC. The summit brought together leaders in brain health, representing dozens of academic and research organizations, professional medical societies, patient-centric associations, as well as key public and private sector stakeholders and United States policymakers as they continue to collaborate on shaping the future of brain health.
For further details, read the summit agenda and see the attendees list.
The 2024 Brain Health Summit will take place on September 19, 2024.
Your brain controls every aspect of your life, so it’s important to keep it as healthy as possible. The AAN, which has promoted brain health for decades through its advocacy and public outreach, is proud to stand united with a coalition of multidisciplinary stakeholders as we pursue a plan to improve brain health across each stage of your life.
Carlayne E. Jackson, MD, FAAN
President, AAN
Media coverage
Update on Brain Health with Dr. Rost (Neurology® Podcast) | June 24, 2024
Brain Health and the Need for Preventive Neurology (Medscape) | May 20, 2024
Lowering Your Risk of Dementia (The Chris and Amy Show on KMOX) | February 15, 2024
The Behavioral Health Integration Collaborative Part 2: Neurology (AMA STEPS Forward® Podcast) | February 14, 2024
How to Fight Dementia, According to Neurologists (CNN) | February 12, 2024
Exploring Brain Health and Confronting Veteran Suicides (What's Health Got to Do with It?) | January 6, 2024