EMBARGOED FOR RELEASE UNTIL 4 PM ET, September 20, 2023

A Brighter Brain Future for All: AAN Sets New Vision for Brain Health by 2050

MINNEAPOLIS – Do you want to improve your brain health? Neurologists, the experts in brain health, have a plan. The ��ɫ���� (AAN), the world’s largest association of neurologists and neuroscience professionals with over 40,000 members, is sharing its vision to improve the nation’s brain health by 2050. The new vision is part of a new AAN position statement on brain health, published online September 20, 2023, in , the medical journal of the ��ɫ����. The AAN’s vision for national brain health by 2050 includes: • Brain health research that leads to scientific breakthroughs • Preventive neurology as a thriving cross-disciplinary field • Brain health practice guidelines that are available for all ages • Brain health visits which become a standard of preventive care • Brain health education that is widely available and public engagement is high • A National Brain Health Plan established to guide research, care, and public engagement priorities “Your brain controls every aspect of your life, so it’s important to keep it as healthy as possible,” said ��ɫ���� President Carlayne E. Jackson, MD, FAAN. “The ��ɫ����, 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.” Driven by neurology expert consensus, the AAN newly defines brain health as 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 new position statement explains that brain health is crucial to optimizing both the function and well-being of every person at each stage of life and is key to both individual and social progress. Neurologists treat diseases of the brain, and as brain health specialists they can advance brain health through preventive neurology. Preventive neurology offers strategies to prevent or slow the progression of brain disease. Jackson said, “Optimizing brain health with preventive care, accelerating scientific discovery and advancing public policy will improve brain health for all.” The position statement will be presented at the 2023 AAN Brain Health Summit being held on Thursday, September 21, which will bring together nearly 150 leaders in brain health, representing dozens of academic and research organizations, professional medical societies and 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. Learn more about brain health at , home of the ��ɫ����’s free patient and caregiver magazine focused on the intersection of neurologic disease and brain health. Follow Brain & Life^® on , and . When posting to social media channels about this research, we encourage you to use the hashtags #Neurology and #AANscience.

The ��ɫ���� is the leading voice in brain health. As the world’s largest association of neurologists and neuroscience professionals with more than 40,000 members, the AAN provides access to the latest news, science and research affecting neurology for patients, caregivers, physicians and professionals alike. The AAN’s mission is to enhance member career fulfillment and promote brain health for all. A neurologist is a doctor who specializes in the diagnosis, care and treatment of brain, spinal cord and nervous system diseases such as Alzheimer's disease, stroke, concussion, epilepsy, Parkinson's disease, multiple sclerosis, headache and migraine.

Explore the latest in neurological disease and brain health, from the minds at the AAN at or find us on , , , and .