According to the Alzheimer’s Disease International, in 2020, an estimated 55 million people worldwide are living with Alzheimer’s disease and related dementia (ADRD). While some pharmacological interventions are reportedly effective in treating ADRD, from a public health perspective, it is critical to understand the effects of non-pharmacological interventions in reducing cognitive decline during late adulthood, which may ultimately reduce the risk of developing or slowing the progress of ADRD. Although middle age is a critical time window during which cognitive function as well as brain structure and function start to decline, most studies in brain aging have focused on older individuals (≥ 65 years). Therefore, more understanding about the brain aging in midlife and the effects of interventions on brain health in middle-aged adults is necessary.Better understanding the initiation of brain aging during midlife and the effects of interventions on cognitive function and brain structure and function during midlife will expand our knowledge about brain aging and early implementation of interventions for brain health in late life. Therefore, this Research Topic highlights studies investigating the decline in cognitive function and brain structure, as well as the effects of interventions, such as exercise, sleep, and diet on brain health in mid- and early-late life.Scope and information for Authors:• Cognitive and brain structure/function decline in mid- and early-late life• Effects of interventions on brain health in mid- and early-late life• Underlying neurophysiological mechanisms of cognitive decline and effects of lifestyle intervention in mid- and early-late life• Both intact and cognitive impairment are welcome• Both animal and human studies are also welcome
According to the Alzheimer’s Disease International, in 2020, an estimated 55 million people worldwide are living with Alzheimer’s disease and related dementia (ADRD). While some pharmacological interventions are reportedly effective in treating ADRD, from a public health perspective, it is critical to understand the effects of non-pharmacological interventions in reducing cognitive decline during late adulthood, which may ultimately reduce the risk of developing or slowing the progress of ADRD. Although middle age is a critical time window during which cognitive function as well as brain structure and function start to decline, most studies in brain aging have focused on older individuals (≥ 65 years). Therefore, more understanding about the brain aging in midlife and the effects of interventions on brain health in middle-aged adults is necessary.Better understanding the initiation of brain aging during midlife and the effects of interventions on cognitive function and brain structure and function during midlife will expand our knowledge about brain aging and early implementation of interventions for brain health in late life. Therefore, this Research Topic highlights studies investigating the decline in cognitive function and brain structure, as well as the effects of interventions, such as exercise, sleep, and diet on brain health in mid- and early-late life.Scope and information for Authors:• Cognitive and brain structure/function decline in mid- and early-late life• Effects of interventions on brain health in mid- and early-late life• Underlying neurophysiological mechanisms of cognitive decline and effects of lifestyle intervention in mid- and early-late life• Both intact and cognitive impairment are welcome• Both animal and human studies are also welcome