As 2025 draws to a close, it’s worth spotlighting the compelling call-to-action from “Prevention Isn’t a Pill, It’s a Plan” in the recent edition of JAMA Neurology. The authors assert that while neurology has greatly improved diagnosis and treatment of established brain disorders, we now face a global surge in neurodegenerative disease and cerebrovascular illness, making reactive care insufficient.1
According to the Lancet Commission, nearly 45% of Alzheimer’s disease may be preventable by addressing lifestyle, environmental, and vascular risk factors, providing an example of how many neurological diseases could be avoided before they begin.1,2
The authors advocate for brain-health checks in primary care, interdisciplinary prevention teams, research on modifiable risk factors, modernizing medical education, and creating policies that reduce neurotoxic exposures and promote brain-healthy environments.1
If embraced widely, this approach could transform neurology by moving the field from reacting to disease to preventing it as best we can with available treatments. The authors advocate that protecting brain health should be a central priority, with proactive efforts to monitor risks and detect problems early, long before symptoms appear. Doing so can ease the strain on health systems and reinforce prevention as a long-term comprehensive strategy. This vision is also supported through educational initiatives like the Proactive Brain Health Alliance, which provides actionable insights for individuals at risk of neurodegenerative conditions.
References
1Sheth KN, Dorsey ER, Okun MS. Preventive Neurology Isn’t a Pill; It’s a Plan. JAMA Neurol. Published online November 17, 2025. doi:10.1001/jamaneurol.2025.4445
2Livingston G, Huntley, J, Liu KY, et al. Dementia prevention, intervention, and care: 2024 report of the Lancet standing Commission. Lancet. 2024;404(10452):572-628.doi:10.1016/S0140-6736(24)01296-0.
