Brain Health and Prevention: Clinical Research Highlights from 2024
In 2024, the brain health space saw incredible momentum, with cutting-edge research and discoveries shaping the future of cognitive health, Alzheimer’s prevention, and dementia care. Breakthroughs in cognitive health research have paved the way not only for new drugs, but also (and importantly) for innovative prevention strategies and more effective diagnosis methods. It’s been an inspiring time as science continues to unlock more doors into the mysteries of brain aging.
Keep reading to explore four groundbreaking studies that made headlines this past year. Plus, find practical takeaways from each study to support and motivate you in your own brain health journey.
1. Detecting Alzheimer’s from a blood sample: Alzheimer’s detection through blood biomarker test shows 90% accuracy for cognitive decline.1
The Alzheimer’s Association International Conference (AAIC) is one of the largest and most prestigious events dedicated to the latest research on dementia and Alzheimer’s disease. This year, a cutting-edge study took center stage, focusing on identifying Alzheimer’s disease through blood biomarkers. The study introduced a novel blood test, which measures the ratio of two types of amyloid beta and the proportion of tau (made up of a specific form of tau called p-tau217). Elevated levels of amyloid beta in blood are often associated with amyloid plaque buildup in the brain, which is a hallmark of Alzheimer’s disease. Similarly, elevated tau can form tangles inside brain cells, leading to further disruption in brain function. The test was found to be 88-90% accurate in detecting Alzheimer's, providing a potential breakthrough in diagnosing the disease earlier and more reliably.
Why is this important?
Most current Alzheimer's diagnostic tests require expensive procedures, such as PET scans for brain imaging or samples of cerebrospinal fluid, which is an invasive procedure that also cannot be performed in a primary care physician's office. This is problematic, as many individuals who first notice signs of brain aging typically visit their primary care physician for initial evaluations. The new blood test is changing this by paving the way for Alzheimer’s detection that could potentially be used in a primary care setting, making it more accessible and affordable. Early diagnosis is crucial, as it allows for proper strategies and treatments to be implemented to slow the progression of Alzheimer’s, ultimately providing patients with the best possible chance for better management of their condition. Potentially more important is the future use of blood tests like these to assess a person’s risk of Alzheimer’s: Think of how the blood test A1C is used for diabetes prevention, and now imagine how empowered people would be with an “A1C”-like blood test that helps people prevent Alzheimer’s. We experienced big steps forward for this in 2024. If you really want to dig deep, read this research article by NeuroReserve medical advisor Jeffrey Cummings MD, ScD on the many ways future blood tests can be used for Alzheimer’s and dementia prevention (click here).
2. Proper blood sugar regulation is a key contributor of the neuroprotective power of the Mediterranean diet.2
It's well established that the health of our body is deeply interconnected with the health of our brain. A study from the DIRECT PLUS MRI trial—one of the largest and longest MRI studies to date—highlights factors that help slow brain atrophy, which is the age-related loss of neurons and brain tissue (brain shrinkage) that happens as people age or accelerates, which can cause dementia.
Participants who adopted a Mediterranean diet or a green-Mediterranean diet (emphasizing certain polyphenol-rich foods like green tea) experienced slower brain aging and preserved brain volume. How much? A 50% reduction in the rate of brain shrinkage. However, the DIRECT PLUS MRI team wasn’t finished with that. They then set-out in this study to determine what the critical contributors to this result could be. They found that these benefits were closely linked to improved blood sugar control, including improvements in insulin resistance and fasting glucose levels. By managing blood sugar levels, these diets proved to not only support overall health but also help maintain a "younger" brain age, offering a promising approach to long-term brain health and resilience against cognitive decline.
Why is this important?
This research is a vital reminder of how our overall health profoundly impacts our brain health. It highlights that simple, low-cost additions to our routine—like Mediterranean nutrition and incorporating polyphenol-rich foods—can deliver significant benefits.
The findings also emphasize the importance of managing conditions like type 2 diabetes, obesity, and hypertension, which are directly linked to brain health outcomes. By taking proactive steps to improve overall health, we can protect our brain against age-related decline, making this research a practical and hopeful guide for lifelong cognitive well-being.
These two groundbreaking studies show remarkable strides in how we identify early signs of brain health decline and how to counter them. They offer deeper insight into how various aspects of our overall health are intricately linked to the well-being of our brain. And with this new understanding, we can take appropriate steps to maintain a youthful brain.
Building on this foundation, the next two research highlights from 2024 we'll discuss focus on prevention—particularly through intensive diet, nutrition, and lifestyle changes. These areas are at the heart of NeuroReserve's approach, emphasizing how daily, consistent changes can lead to significant improvements in brain function and longevity.
Proven habits can make all the difference when it comes to keeping your brain healthy, and there’s so much to learn from the Blue Zones—regions where people routinely live healthy, vibrant lives well into their 100s. Through the end of December, explore our Blue Zones Eating Pack, a curated collection of tools designed to help you embrace their brain-healthy habits. Start your path to better brain health this new year and see how small, sustainable changes can lead to lasting benefits. You'll receive The Blue Zones American Kitchen cookbook by Dan Buettner, the Blue Zones pioneer, you’ll get 100 recipes to help you live to 100, with beautiful photography, plus, a limited signed bookplate. The pack also includes an organic, low-caffeine green tea sourced from Japan—a simple, daily addition that can make a big impact on your health. Plus, you’ll get 2 bottles of RELEVATE, our brain health supplement inspired by the Mediterranean diet (a cornerstone of Blue Zones eating) to help fill in any nutritional gaps where your diet may fall short. Learn more and order it here, before it’s gone.
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References
1. Ashton, N. J. et al. Diagnostic Accuracy of a Plasma Phosphorylated Tau 217 Immunoassay for Alzheimer Disease Pathology. JAMA Neurol 81, 255–263 (2024).
2. Pachter, D. et al. Glycemic control contributes to the neuroprotective effects of Mediterranean and green-Mediterranean diets on brain age: the DIRECT PLUS brain-magnetic resonance imaging randomized controlled trial. Am J Clin Nutr 120, 1029–1036 (2024).
