Free Brain Care Score Cuts Dementia Risk by 40%

Lauren Sprague has lived with fear every single day since she was 16 years old. That's when her father had a stroke that spiraled into dementia, taking his life at just 63.

"Every day of my children's lives up until now, I've worried that that could be me," she said. Like millions of people with family histories of dementia, she felt powerless to change her fate.

Then she met Dr. Jonathan Rosand, a neurologist at Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston. He had great news: research shows that up to 45% of dementia cases can be prevented or delayed through simple lifestyle changes.

The catch? Most people don't know where to start or which changes matter most. So Rosand and his team created the Brain Care Score, a free online questionnaire that gives you a personalized roadmap for protecting your brain.

The tool measures how well you're managing 14 modifiable risk factors, from physical activity and diet to sleep quality and social connection. Answer simple questions about your daily habits, and you get a score that shows where you stand and which changes will help most.

For Sprague and her husband Scott, the score gave them clarity. They added more vegetables and cut processed foods, earning one point. Spending more time outdoors for fitness and stress relief added two more points. Her creative pursuits like singing brought purpose and stress relief, adding another two points.

"The Brain Care Score really gave me the prescription that I needed," Sprague said. "The wonderful thing about it is, it is a recommendation, but there is nuance, and it can be customized."

The Ripple Effect

The benefits extend far beyond the brain. A groundbreaking study from June 2025 found that people who improved their Brain Care Score by just five points saw a 43% lower risk of heart disease and 31% fewer cases of common cancers like lung, colorectal, and breast cancer.

What's good for your brain turns out to be good for your entire body. The same habits that protect against memory loss also shield your heart, reduce cancer risk, and improve mental health.

Best of all, you get to choose which changes to tackle first. Whether it's adding a daily walk, improving your sleep schedule, or reconnecting with friends, every small step counts toward a healthier future.

"It is you," Rosand said. "It is each of our viewers. It is everyone who wants to take a step forward."