The Ohio State University Cognitive Health in Late Life (CHILL) Lab has launched an initiative encouraging Ohioans to adopt lifestyle changes to improve their brain health. The program, based in the College of Arts and Sciences, is also seeking community members to participate in a new study that aims to provide an overview of the state of brain health in central Ohio.

Jeremy Grant, an Ohio State neuropsychologist leading the effort, said the study will be administered at locations throughout the community that are convenient for participants.

“We’ll be coming out to the community to make sure it’s as accessible as possible,” he said.

Grant said the goal of the study is to build upon research he and his team began earlier this year by offering free memory screenings to community members.

“We have screened 170 people thus far since January of this year,” he said. “Our goal is to get to about 250 people.”

Susan Cooper, a Near East Side Columbus resident who completed a memory screening with Grant’s team, said the test is as important as other health screenings.

“Your awareness is important. You really need to take it and find out, what do I know? What does it reflect? What have I learned from taking this cognition test about myself?” Cooper said. “These are things that you use, all the tools you can.”

Grant said the study and the CHILL Lab’s services are designed to help participants prevent, detect and manage brain diseases such as Alzheimer’s and dementia.

“Physical activity, cognitive activity, social activity, eating well and sleeping well. Those five things, as well as a host of others” can help prevent or slow down cognitive disorders, he said. “There’s a wealth of research evidence showing that those things can either help reduce your risk of having Alzheimer’s disease or, if you do get it, they can also help slow the rate of decline that you may experience.”

Grant cited research that shows eating a healthy diet and regular exercise can optimize brain health.

“A more plant-based diet is really what’s most healthy for your brain – in part, because it’s healthy for your heart, as well. Essentially, reducing your intake of red meat and sugary foods,” he said. “It’s really important to develop good habits. It’s not about … one day, it’s really about your habits over a long period of time.”

Madison McGuire, a research technician working at the CHILL Lab this summer, said risk factors for cognitive disorders include family history and environmental factors.

While people have little to no control over such factors, nearly half of those at risk for developing dementia can significantly reduce their risk through healthy lifestyle choices, she said.

“Things like managing your cholesterol … mental health, managing your depression,” she said. “Diabetes, hypertension and obesity, these are all things that really do contribute to our overall brain health, and they affect the risk.”

Grant encourages central Ohio residents to access free programming offered by the Ohio State Wexner Medical Center’s Healthy Community Center, located at 1600 E. Long St. in Columbus.

“There’s a teaching kitchen” where participants can learn to prepare healthy meals, he said. “There are all kinds of gym classes, exercise classes, line dancing classes.”

The CHILL Lab offers free memory screenings and other early-detection resources that can help participants who may be at risk of developing cognitive disorders, Grant said.

“One of the things that attracted me to Ohio State is there are so many resources if you are diagnosed with dementia,” he said. “There’s a whole unit devoted to dementia care and diagnosis.”

For more information about the study and the CHILL Lab’s services, visit the program’s website, email chilllab@osu.edu or call 614-688-0369.