MBRF Trustee, Dr. Patricia Boyle, recently spoke with Flow Space to discuss brainspan – an emerging term to describe the brain’s ability to flourish throughout the lifespan. She explains “Brainspan is specifically related to a person’s ability to function cognitively throughout their life, including maintaining mental clarity, decision-making skills, creativity and focus.” To put brainspan in context with terms like lifespan and healthspan, Dr. Boyle adds, “Brainspan aims to look holistically at how a person’s brain and cognitive function will likely change throughout life. It aligns with lifespan and healthspan through shared influences like genetics, environment, disease and biological aging, but divergences will typically occur later in life, when chronic diseases or dementia begin to take a toll.”

In a recent interview with Real Simple McKnight Brain Research Foundation Trustee, Dr. Sharon Brangman shared her thoughts on research-backed lifestyle changes that can sharpen memory and keep your brain agile with age. She focused on three key tips: maintaining a consistent sleep schedule; getting 30 minutes of light-moderate exercise per day; and challenging your mind by learning a new hobby, like knitting, reading or painting.

NPR, Science Correspondent, Jon Hamilton, attended the MBRF Inter-Institutional meeting in May to hear presentations on the latest research happening at the McKnight Brain Institutes. Jon spoke with meeting attendees Drs Christian Agudelo, Matt Huentelman, and Charles DeCarli about the impacts their specialties—from sleep quality to cognitive testing and blood pressure—have on healthy brain aging. Alice Luo Clayton, neuroscientist and Chief Executive Officer of the MBRF, noted, “We’re going to have to understand [brain] aging at a mechanistic level” to preserve cognitive function later in life.

Do you feel overwhelmed and distracted by constant phone notifications? MBRF Trustee, Dr. Patricia Boyle, spoke with PARADE Magazine about the cognitive and mental health benefits of deleting the email app from your phone. “Fast-paced multitasking adds to our cognitive load and negatively impacts attention and focus,” Dr. Boyle explained, noting that our brains aren’t built to keep switching from one app to another.

MBRF Trustee, Dr. Patricia Boyle, recently spoke with Woman’s World about the online cognitive tests available to help people track changes in their cognition and memory over time and take a proactive approach to maintaining their brain health. “With any self-administered cognitive assessment, it’s a good idea to consult a doctor and share your test results to discuss what may be causing the changes you’re experiencing (in memory) and how to best address them,” she said.

Amanda L. Elton, PhD, with the McKnight Brain Institute of the University of Florida recently spoke with Women’s Health to explain what brain rot is and the role social media plays. Brain rot is a pretty graphic term, but don’t worry, your brain isn’t actually rotting, says Elton.