European Brain Day and Brain Awareness Week 03.10.2023

March 11 is European Brain Day, considered to be the start of Brain Awareness Week, a global campaign that this year is taking place March 13-19. It was first declared by the European Dana Alliance for the Brain (EDAB) in 1988, and in the Czech Republic this tradition was initiated and founded by a Czech neuroscientist, professor Josef Syka in 1998. Since then the Czech Republic has been on the list of countries participating in the global campaign. The week features presentations aiming to increase public awareness of the benefits and successful research in the area of neuroscience.

My Clinic neurologist Dr. Kateřina Storey, Ph.D. recommends tips for keeping your mental capacity fresh before aging.

Do you have the feeling, your memory isn't what it used to be? There's no need to fear the appearance of dementia right away, but it’s time to realize, that prevention is important.

In today's busy world, our attention is scattered to many stimuli. We don't concentrate enough, when we receive the information, and often we don't have the peace or energy, we need, when we recall. Insufficient attention is the first factor we can make better. We don’t concentrate enough, when we're for example tired, in a hurry, or feeling anxious.

Sleep is essential for regeneration. We can minimize sleep disturbances, due to pain or nighttime trips to the toilet, by for example, adjusting our behavior or treating night pain. A pleasant feeling of fatigue after physical activity, can help us to fall asleep easier.

The brain needs movement to make us feel good, but also for sufficient production of BDNF (brain-derived neurotrophic factor), a growth factor necessary for the regeneration and creation of new nerve connections. BDNF is a critical mediator of vulnerability to stress. Its insufficient production has been observed in stressed, deprived or even obese animals. Movement and mental stimulation, as well as weight loss, led to the reversible increase of its production.

Movement is also the cornerstone of caring for the healthy blood vessels. It helps to maintain proper cholesterol and glycemia levels, to keep the atherosclerosis under control. Atherosclerosis buildup is reducing blood flow through the blood vessels. In case of diabetes is the atherosclerosis process accelerated and the smallest capillaries, that supply both our central and peripheral nerves, become obstructed. High blood pressure then makes blood vessels less permeable and fragile.

All of these factors slowly and without us noticing, lead to energy deprivation of the brain cells and accumulation of the metabolic waste. Uneven energy supply to neurons and their insufficient ability to clear away the unusable substances, contributes to aging of the nervous system and deterioration of our cognitive abilities, balance, and other senses. The changes are gradual and painless, when they become evident, we have very few therapeutic options to support the nervous system.

At My Clinic you can undergo examinations for risk factors such as blood pressure, levels of blood sugar and cholesterol as part of health care programmes. The My Personal and My Exclusive programmes offer examination by several specialists, including preventive check-ups not covered by health insurance. You can get advice on how to maintain pain-free movement, to keep up the physical performance and a good mood. Something can be even done about the disorders, that lead to non-refreshing sleep.

Taking up the opportunity to treat treatable factors, will help us extend our mental capacity and delay aging, so that our memory serves us as best as possible, for as long as it can.

The twenty-fourth annual Brain Awareness Week will take place at the Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic on Národní třída starting March 13. Presentations will feature experts from the Neuroscience Centre, the Czech Neuroscience Society of J. E. Purkyně and the Institute of Experimental Medicine of the Czech Academy of Sciences.

Neurology at My Clinic