Brain Awareness Week - March 14-20

Brain Awareness Week is the global campaign to foster public enthusiasm and support for brain science. Every March, partners host imaginative activities in their communities that share the wonders of the brain and the impact brain science has on our everyday lives.

Brain Awareness Week was founded by the Dana Alliance for Brain Initiatives (DABI) and the European Dana Alliance for the Brain (EDAB) and is coordinated by the Dana Foundation.

History of Brain Awareness Week

Brain Awareness Week began in 1996 as a modest effort involving just 160 organizations in the United States. DABI organized the first Brain Awareness Week to bring together diverse groups with different interests from academia, government, and professional and advocacy organizations. The goal was to unite them with the common theme that brain research is the hope for treatments, preventions, and possible cures for brain diseases and disorders and to ensure a better quality of life at all ages.

In the 26 years since its founding, Brain Awareness Week has evolved into a global education initiative that has included the participation of more than 7,300 partners in 120 countries. During the 2021 campaign, partner events were held in 45 countries and 32 states.

Interesting Facts About the Human Brain

Made up of billions of neurons (or nerve cells) that communicate in trillions of connections called synapses, your brain is one of the most complex and fascinating organs in your body. Keeping your brain healthy and active is vital. Discover just how powerful it is with these interesting facts.

60% of the human brain is made of fat

Not only does that make it the fattiest organ in the human body, but these fatty acids are crucial for your brain’s performance. Make sure you’re fueling it appropriately with healthy, brain-boosting nutrients.

Your brain isn't fully formed until age 25

Brain development begins from the back of the brain and works its way to the front. Therefore, your frontal lobes, which control planning and reasoning, are the last to strengthen and structure connections.

Your brain’s storage capacity is considered virtually unlimited

Research suggests the human brain consists of about 86 billion neurons. Each neuron forms connections to other neurons, which could add up to 1 quadrillion (1,000 trillion) connections. Over time, these neurons can combine, increasing storage capacity. However, in Alzheimer’s disease, for example, many neurons can become damaged and stop working, particularly affecting memory.

Brain information travels up to an impressive 268 miles per hour

When a neuron is stimulated, it generates an electrical impulse that travels from cell to cell. A disruption in this regular processing can cause an epileptic seizure.

On average, your spinal cord stops growing at 4 years old

Your spinal cord, which consists of a bundle of nervous tissue and support cells, is responsible for sending messages from your brain throughout your body. The spinal cord is the main source of communication between the body and the brain. ALS, or amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, causes the neurons in the brain and spinal cord to die, impacting controlled muscle movement. Another disease that affects both the brain and the spinal cord is multiple sclerosis (MS). In MS, the immune system attacks the protective layer that covers nerve fibers, causing communication problems between the brain and the body.

It’s a myth that you only use 10 percent of your brain

You actually use all of it, even when you are sleeping. Neurologists confirm that your brain is always active.

A brain freeze is really a sphenopalatine ganglioneuralgia

This pain occurs when cold hits the receptors in the outer covering of the brain, called the meninges. The cold creates a dilation and contraction of arteries, causing a rapid-onset headache. A piece of brain tissue the size of a grain of sand contains 100,000 neurons and 1 billion synapses. However, damage to neurons can have a great impact. During a stroke, for example, blood is not able to get oxygen to the brain. As a result, brain cells can die, and abilities in that particular area of the brain can be lost. Similarly, Parkinson’s disease occurs when the cells of a part of your brain called the substantia nigra start to die.

The human brain can generate about 23 watts of power (enough to power a lightbulb)

All that power calls for some much-needed rest. Adequate sleep helps maintain the pathways in your brain. Additionally, sleep deprivation can increase the build-up of a protein in your brain that is linked to Alzheimer’s disease.

Best Foods for a Healthy Brain

Since the brain is such a vital organ, it’s important to fuel it properly. Like the rest of your body, poor nutritional choices can negatively impact your brain’s function. Give your brain the right nutrients to boost memory and focus:

Salmon

As far as protein goes, salmon ranks pretty high for brain health. Fatty fish, like salmon, is high in omega-3 fatty acids that are critical for brain development and function. Additionally, these fatty acids have been found to lower the risk for heart disease, depression, and arthritis. Other types of fish that are good sources of omega-3 fatty acids are mackerel, herring, lake trout, and tuna.

Eggs

Eggs offer a host of healthy nutrients. As far as brain health goes, egg yolks are a good source of choline, which is associated with reducing inflammation and promoting brain function, like maintaining memory and communications between brain cells. Eggs are also high in tryptophan, an amino acid that’s a building block of serotonin — the “happiness” molecule – a side effect that is sure to put a smile on your face.

Blueberries

While all berries are good for brain health, the blueberry is crowned as king and could be considered America’s first superfood. Blueberries are bursting with antioxidants, specifically flavonoids. These antioxidants stimulate the flow of blood and oxygen in the brain, resulting in boosted concentration. A study even suggests that they could improve brain function in those who have mild cognitive impairment.

Leafy Greens and Cruciferous Vegetables

Leafy greens, like spinach, kale, and arugula, are rich in nutrients such as vitamin E and K, beta carotene, and folate. Vitamin E protects cells from damage from free radicals. These properties have been suggested to prevent or delay cognitive decline in the aging population. Vitamin K has been shown to sharpen memory. Meanwhile, beta carotene helps slow down cognitive decline. Their antioxidants can also protect the brain from toxic free radicals.

Nuts

Nuts like almonds, pistachios, and macadamias each bring something special to the table. Almonds help improve memory, pistachio nut oils help preserve fatty acids and prevent inflammation, and macadamias contribute to normal brain function. Yet, the top nut award certainly goes to the walnut. Compared to other nuts, walnuts offer twice as many antioxidants, which counteract cognitive decline, and they are packed with DHA, an omega-3 fatty acid, which helps fight inflammation.

Coffee

Java lovers rejoice! It turns out that kick-start in your morning comes with many added benefits. Caffeine increases alertness by blocking adenosine, a chemical that makes you tired. Researchers from the National Institute on Aging also found that individuals who drank more caffeine performed better on memory tests. Since drinking too much can have adverse effects, sip in moderation.

Dark Chocolate

Do you really need another excuse to snack on dark chocolate? Dark chocolate has powerful antioxidants, flavonoids, and caffeine. Flavonoids improve blood flow to the brain, which can enhance memory. As for caffeine, that can help improve short-term brain function.

Who Participates in Observing Brain Awareness Week?

Brain Awareness Week partners include colleges and universities, hospitals, medical research facilities, K-12 schools, advocacy groups, outreach organizations, professional associations, government agencies, corporations, and more. View the Partner List to see who’s involved, and visit Become a Partner to register.

Partners bring to the campaign their own unique perspectives and messages about the brain: an interest in a specific disease or disorder; a concern for early childhood development; a focus on successful aging; or a concern for the future of medical research funding. As a collaborative effort, Brain Awareness Week offers its partners an opportunity to focus national and international attention on these specific messages within the broader context of our shared interest in brain science.

What Types of Events are Held?

Brain Awareness Week events are limited only by the organizers’ imaginations! Some popular events include lectures, symposia, and panel discussions; lab tours and open houses at neuroscience laboratories; brain fairs with hands-on activities, games, and experiments; programs at K-12 schools; museum exhibitions about the brain; displays at malls, libraries, and community centers; art and literature competitions; concerts and theatrical performances; and social media campaigns.

For more ideas, visit Suggested Activities for Brain Awareness Week, or search the Calendar of Events and Partner Reports.

Sources:

https://www.brainawareness.org/

https://dana.org/dana-alliances/about-dana-alliances/

https://dana.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/09/history-declaration-european-dana-alliance-edab.pdf

https://www.nm.org/healthbeat/healthy-tips/11-fun-facts-about-your-brain

https://www.nm.org/healthbeat/healthy-tips/nutrition/best-food-for-a-healthy-brain