Definition

• According to the National Institutes of Health, brain health is "the ability to remember, learn, plan, concentrate and maintain a clear, active mind."
• The central idea around brain health is using tools and brain exercises to fight aging and memory loss.

Insights

• The European Commission funded brain research through the Framework Programmes at EUR 3.1 billion from 2007-2014 and at EUR 3.2 billion from 2015-2020.
• In the US, the NIH funded the Brain Research through Advancing Innovative Neurotechnologies (BRAIN) Initiative at $400 million, a 50% increase from the previous years funding.

Challenges

• Experts state that neurological research is currently underfunded globally.
• Another challenge is the lack of access globally to neurological care.

Key Players

• The US government NIH has launched a national campaign focused on brain health that is now managed by the National Institute on Aging.

• AARP funds the Global Council on Brain Health, a leading group of cognitive-health experts.

Innovations

• In 2019, one big study published in the Open BioMedical (OBM) journal Integrative and Complementary Medicine showed that "physical exercise, mental exercise, a grain-free/sugar-free diet, anti-inflammatory nutritional supplements, sleep optimization, and stress management" helped slow cognitive decline in adults over 55.

Market

• Globally, consumers spent "$1.9 billion on digital brain health and neurotechnology apps in 2018," four times the amount spent in 2012.