ARC Event Explores Impact of Lifestyle Factors

Earlier this month, the Brain Health Alliance, alongside Glasgow Caledonian University, presented a two-day workshop exploring the impact of lifestyle factors on brain health. Welcoming speakers from as far as South Australia, the first day featured break-out sessions and input from voices in academia and social enterprise, while the second day offered a collaborative space for grant writing. ​

Hosted and facilitated by Prof Sebastien Chastin, attendees were joined remotely by Prof Ashleigh Smith and Dr Maddison Mellow from the University of South Australia to hear about their 24-hour lifestyle intervention research in rural communities. This examined creating the “ideal day” for brain health ageing and dementia risk reduction. 

Dr Terry Quinn, director of the Brain Health Alliance, gave an outline of the origins and ambitions of the ARC and an update on the BioHermes data challenge. Prof Greet Cardon of Ghent University shared evidence-based lifestyle interventions with a focus on physical activity to benefit brain health.  

Moving from academia to social enterprise, Pasna Sallis of WeekdayWow shared her experience of creating a community of fun, freedom and friendship to enhance the brain health and well-being of senior members.  

Lifestyle factors also included the impact of sleep and cognition in brain health with Dr Maria Valdes Hernandez from Edinburgh University, and nutrition and cognition through the life course with Dr Rebecca Townsend from the University of Newcastle. 

To conclude day one, Ailin Chen from Stirling University joined remotely for an update on Brain Health Scotland and their mission to inspire and empower individuals to protect their brain health and reduce the risk of diseases that lead to dementia.  

Day two was a facilitated writing retreat to give attendees an overview of upcoming funding opportunities, the space to review ideas, and begin drafting proposals.  

Thank you to everyone who joined and collaborated!