2026 LMS President’s October Message: Optimizing Brain Health Across Our Lifespan
What is the secret to having a long and happy life? According to Dr. Howard Tucker, a neurologist who worked almost up until his death at 103 years old and holds the Guiness World Record for longest practicing male physician, there are three simple principles that anyone can follow and that we all should embrace.
First, keep your mind engaged. There are studies that suggest people who pursue early retirement experience faster cognitive decline than individuals who keep working. The key is to keep doing something that you enjoy and that is meaningful. The brain is a “muscle” that needs to be exercised like any other muscle so keep learning, find new challenges, do some volunteer work, and continuing social activities with colleagues, friends, and family. Social engagement and connectedness are at the core of optimizing cognitive performance as we age.
Second, Dr. Tucker said one of the secrets to his longevity is to let go of negative energy. Carrying around disappointment, bitterness, and stress is harmful to our bodies, and we should try our best to find healthy coping mechanisms to turn that negative energy into something hopeful and positive.
Lastly, pursue everything in moderation, which is something I recommend to my patients on a regular basis. Living well means enjoying life, and that means not depriving yourself of certain pleasures but also not going overboard.
Beyond the sage advice from Dr. Tucker, do you wonder about the current areas of research that are being pursued to evaluate as well as to optimize your brain health? The landscape of brain health has shifted from a defensive stance to a more offensive and preventative approach to maximizing longevity and slowing down cognitive decline. Biomarkers are being studied to screen for early signs of neurodegenerative diseases, AI-driven neuroimaging is being used to learn about brain modularity, and technology is ever-evolving to evaluate how brainwave activity, sleep, and stress can suggest lifestyle or behavioral changes to improve our health. Our upcoming LMS Dinner Symposium is on Tuesday, October 13, 2026, and will address brain health, cognitive longevity, and dementia. Registration is also open for our next LMS Healthy Cooking Class on Saturday, October 24, 2026. Spouses are welcome at both events so please take advantage of these wonderful opportunities to connect with our physician colleagues. Thank you for being a member of the Lexington Medical Society and the Kentucky Medical Association.
