Test: find out the true age of your brain and whether you have a predisposition to Alzheimer's disease

The brain is like a muscle – the more you exercise it, the better it develops. As you age, it is common for information processing to slow down because the brain shrinks and nerve cells die. British doctors have therefore developed a methodology to calculate the “age of the brain”.

Answer the questions in the test below, created by Dr. Vincent Fortanas, professor of clinical neurology at the University of Southern California. This test will help you find out the true age of your brain and assess how your habits affect its condition.

Test to determine brain age

Answer yes or no to the following questions:

1. I sleep 7-8 hours (or more) every night.
2. I eat at least five servings of antioxidant-rich fruits and vegetables daily.
3. I eat grilled fish rich in omega-3 fatty acids at least three times a week.
4. I take fish oil rich in omega-3 or flaxseed supplements at least five times a week.
5. I take a daily multivitamin and a folic acid supplement.
6. I take low-dose aspirin every day.
7. I drink red wine or grape juice at least five times a week.
8. I exercise most of the week, with each workout lasting at least 30 minutes.
9. I read complex books, solve crosswords or sudoku, or do other activities that require active learning, memorization, calculation, analysis and problem solving at least five times a week.
10. There were people in my family with „genes of longevity“ who lived to 80 and beyond without memory loss.
11. My total cholesterol level is under 5.2.
12. My “bad” cholesterol level is under 3.3.
13. I am not overweight.
14. My diet is „Mediterranean“, consisting mainly of vegetables, fruit, whole grains, legumes, nuts and seeds. The source of fat is olive oil and a small amount of red meat.
15. Instead of butter and margarine I use olive oil and do not consume trans fats.
16. I have never smoked.
17. My blood pressure is normal.
18. I do not have diabetes.
19. I do not have metabolic syndrome (characterized by high triglycerides, overall obesity and high blood pressure), also known as „insulin resistance syndrome“.
20. I do not have a sleep disorder such as snoring, obstructive sleep apnea or chronic insomnia.
21. Daily uncontrollable stress is not a problem for me.
22. There are people who actively support me; I enjoy spending time with friends, colleagues and relatives.
23. I do not plan to develop Alzheimer’s disease and I am willing to do anything to prevent it.

Scoring the results

• 0-11 points: High risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease. Add 10 years to your current age to get the actual age of your brain. Contact your doctor immediately and discuss your health concerns.
• 12-14 points: Moderate risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease. Add five years to your age to obtain the actual age of your brain.
• 15-19 points: Your brain corresponds to your chronological age. The risk of Alzheimer’s disease is small, but there is still room for lifestyle improvement.
• 20-22 points: Subtract five years from your chronological age – your brain is younger than you.
• 23-24 points: Congratulations! Subtract 15 years from your chronological age. Your mind is young and productive, with minimal risk of Alzheimer’s disease.

How to keep your brain young

1. Regular exercise

Physical activity is key for a healthy brain. Studies show that even simple 30-minute walks a day can significantly slow brain aging.

2. Enough sleep

Lack of sleep accelerates brain aging. Night shift workers have brains up to 6 years older than they should be. Ensure quality sleep and a healthy diet.

3. Giving up bad habits

Bad habits such as smoking, being overweight and high blood pressure negatively affect the brain. A healthy lifestyle promotes good blood supply and reduces the risk of brain diseases.

4. A meaningful social life

Communication with others stimulates brain areas involved in planning and decision-making. Socially active people experience slower brain aging.

Conclusion

Keeping your brain young requires a combination of physical activity, sufficient sleep, a healthy diet and an active social life. This simple test can provide you with important information about the condition of your brain and show where you can make changes for its better health.