“We spend our whole lives using our brain. But how many of us have ever stopped to think — really think — about how to protect it?”
The Afternoon Nani Forgot the Word for Home
Sudha Krishnamurthy — 72, sharp as a tack, maker of the world’s best rasam, keeper of every grandchild’s birthday — started forgetting small things. The word for a particular vegetable. The name of the street where she’d lived for 30 years. The face of a cousin she’d grown up with.
Her family said it was age. Her neighbours said it was stress. Her daughter quietly Googled it at 2 a.m. and didn’t like what she found.
“She remembered everything that mattered emotionally,” her daughter recalls. “She’d still tear up when she heard Lata Mangeshkar. But she couldn’t remember what she’d eaten for breakfast.”
Sudha’s story is not unusual. In fact, it is one of the most common stories unfolding in homes across India — in cities and villages, in well-educated families and those without access to specialists. And yet, it remains one of the least talked about.
This June — Alzheimer’s and Brain Awareness Month — we invite you to do something radical: (Re)Think Your Brain.
India’s Invisible Crisis
Here is a number that should make us all pause: India is home to approximately 8.8 million people living with dementia — a broad term for the group of conditions that includes Alzheimer’s disease. By 2050, that number is projected to cross 17 million.
Yet awareness remains startlingly low.
A 2023 survey by the Alzheimer’s and Related Disorders Society of India (ARDSI) found that most Indian families attribute early dementia symptoms to “old age,” “weakness,” or “tension” — delaying professional consultation by an average of 2 to 3 years from the onset of noticeable symptoms.
Two to three years. In a disease where early intervention can meaningfully slow progression, that is not a small gap. That is a life — and a family — lost to silence.
But First — What Is Alzheimer’s Disease?
Let’s clear something up, because confusion here costs lives.
Alzheimer’s disease is the most common form of dementia — accounting for 60–80% of all dementia cases. It is a progressive brain disorder that slowly destroys memory, thinking skills, and eventually the ability to carry out the simplest everyday tasks.
It is not a normal part of ageing.
It is not the result of a weak mind or poor education.
It is not karma, destiny, or punishment.
It is a neurological disease — one in which abnormal protein deposits called amyloid plaques and tau tangles build up in the brain, disrupting communication between brain cells and eventually causing them to die.
The brain — the most extraordinary organ in the known universe — is being quietly dismantled. And by the time most families notice, the process has already been underway for 10 to 20 years.
That’s the part that should catch your breath.
(Re)Think #1: Alzheimer’s Begins Long Before You Forget
This is the most important thing science has taught us in the last decade — and the most underappreciated.
Alzheimer’s has a preclinical stage — a silent phase that can last 15 to 20 years before a person shows any obvious symptoms. During this time, amyloid plaques are accumulating in the brain. Inflammation is quietly rising. Neural networks are slowly being altered.
The person feels fine. Their family has no idea. And yet, the biology is already shifting.
Research published in Nature Aging (2024) confirmed that measurable biological changes in the brain can be detected nearly two decades before clinical diagnosis — through blood biomarkers, imaging, and cognitive testing done in structured settings.
This matters because it fundamentally changes the conversation from “How do we manage Alzheimer’s?” to “How do we intercept it — before it takes hold?”
The answer, emerging from global research, is both humbling and hopeful: your lifestyle choices today are writing your brain’s future.
(Re)Think #2: What’s Happening in Indian Brains — And Why
India has a unique risk profile for dementia that researchers are increasingly studying.
Several factors converge to make Indian brains particularly vulnerable:
The cardiometabolic connection:
India has among the highest rates of Type 2 diabetes, hypertension, and cardiovascular disease in the world — and all three are established risk factors for dementia. A 2023 Lancet study noted that vascular risk factors account for a disproportionately high burden of dementia in South Asian populations compared to Western counterparts.
The sleep deficit:
Urbanisation has created a nation of poor sleepers. Yet sleep is the brain’s only real maintenance window — the period during which the glymphatic system (the brain’s waste-clearance mechanism) flushes out toxic proteins, including amyloid. Chronic sleep disruption has been directly linked to faster amyloid accumulation.
Air pollution:
India’s cities regularly breach safe air quality limits. Research from The Lancet Planetary Health found that long-term exposure to PM2.5 particles accelerates cognitive decline — and India carries one of the highest pollution-related dementia burdens in the world.
Social isolation post-retirement:
In India, the retirement years often coincide with reduced intellectual stimulation and social engagement — both powerful protective factors against cognitive decline.
Dietary transition:
The shift from traditional, fibre-rich Indian diets toward ultra-processed foods is affecting gut health — and through the gut-brain axis, this has implications for neuroinflammation and cognitive resilience.
This is not a counsel of despair. It is a call to awareness. Because most of these factors are modifiable.
(Re)Think #3: The Brain Is Remarkably Resilient — If We Let It Be
Here is the hopeful part — the part that doesn’t get told often enough.
The brain has neuroplasticity — the ability to form new neural connections, reroute around damage, and build what researchers call cognitive reserve. Think of it as the brain’s savings account. The more you invest in it, the more you have to draw on when things get difficult.
And cognitive reserve can be built — at any age.
A landmark 2024 meta-analysis from the Global Council on Brain Health identified the following as the most evidence-supported strategies for reducing dementia risk:
1. Move your body — your brain depends on it
Aerobic exercise increases BDNF (Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor) — a protein that supports the growth and survival of brain cells. Even 150 minutes of moderate physical activity per week (a brisk morning walk, yoga, swimming) has measurable neuroprotective effects.
2. Challenge your mind — regularly
Learning a new language, taking up a musical instrument, solving puzzles, reading, and engaging in intellectually stimulating conversation all strengthen the brain’s neural networks. Interestingly, bilingualism — extremely common in India — has been associated with delayed onset of dementia by up to 5 years in multiple studies.
3. Protect your sleep
Aim for 7–9 hours of uninterrupted sleep. This isn’t laziness — it’s neuroscience. Sleep is when your brain cleans house.
4. Eat for your brain
The MIND diet (a hybrid of the Mediterranean and DASH diets) has been specifically designed to support brain health. Key components: leafy greens, berries, legumes, whole grains, nuts, fish — many of which are already staples of traditional Indian cooking.
5. Stay connected
Social engagement is one of the most powerful — and underrated — protectors of brain health. Regular, meaningful interaction with family, friends, and community is neurologically protective.
6. Manage your middle-age risks
Control blood pressure. Manage blood sugar. Quit smoking. Limit alcohol. These are not just heart-health measures — they are direct investments in your brain’s long-term survival.
(Re)Think #4: The 10 Warning Signs Are Not What You Think
Most people think Alzheimer’s is simply about forgetting names. The reality is more layered — and more important to recognise.
The Alzheimer’s Disease International lists these as early warning signs:
- Memory loss that disrupts daily life — especially recent events, while older memories remain intact
- Difficulty planning or solving problems — struggling with familiar tasks like following a recipe or managing bills
- Confusion with time or place — losing track of dates, seasons, or where one is
- Trouble understanding visual images — difficulty reading, judging distance, or recognising familiar faces
- New problems with words — stopping mid-sentence, repeating phrases, or struggling to name familiar objects
- Misplacing things and losing the ability to retrace steps
- Decreased or poor judgement — making unusual financial decisions or neglecting personal hygiene
- Withdrawal from social activities — avoiding hobbies, social engagements, or favourite TV programmes
- Changes in mood and personality — increased anxiety, suspicion, depression, or irritability
- Difficulty completing familiar tasks — getting lost on a route driven for years
Important: One forgotten name is not Alzheimer’s. A pattern of these symptoms — especially when they are new, progressive, and affecting daily functioning — warrants a medical evaluation.
The Family Burden India Doesn’t Talk About
In India, Alzheimer’s caregiving is largely invisible — and largely female.
The Dementia in India report (ARDSI, 2023) found that over 80% of primary caregivers for people with dementia in India are women — daughters, daughters-in-law, spouses — who often give up employment, social life, and their own health to provide round-the-clock care.
Caregiver burnout is real, medically documented, and dangerously under addressed.
If you are caring for a loved one with dementia, this is worth saying clearly: your health matters too. Seeking support — from doctors, from caregiver support groups, from family members — is not abandonment. It is sustainability. You cannot pour from an empty vessel.
What Diagnosis Looks Like — And Why It Matters
A diagnosis of Alzheimer’s can feel like the end of a conversation. In reality, it should be the beginning of one.
In India, diagnosis typically involves:
- A thorough clinical history — including from family members who observe changes the patient may not notice
- Cognitive assessment tools — such as the Hindi Mental Status Examination (HMSE) or the MMSE, adapted for Indian languages and literacy levels
- Neuroimaging — MRI and CT scans to rule out other causes and assess brain structure
- Blood tests — to exclude reversible causes of cognitive impairment (thyroid disorders, B12 deficiency, diabetes)
- Specialist review — by a neurologist or geriatric psychiatrist
While there is currently no cure for Alzheimer’s disease, there are approved medications that can help manage symptoms, slow progression in some patients, and significantly improve quality of life. There are also newer disease-modifying therapies in advanced stages of global trials — some of which target amyloid plaques directly.
The future of Alzheimer’s treatment is moving fast. But early diagnosis is the entry point to all of it.
If you notice persistent cognitive changes in yourself or a loved one, please consult a neurologist or psychiatrist. Early evaluation is not overreacting — it is the single most important step you can take.
A Note on Language: How India Talks About Dementia
In many Indian languages and communities, dementia has no precise word — and that linguistic gap has a real cost.
“Buddhaapa” (old age). “Dimag kamzor ho gaya” (the mind has weakened). “Bhool-bhulaiya” (lost in a maze).
These are the words families reach for. None of them carry the weight of a medical reality. None of them point toward treatment.
Changing the language we use — in homes, in clinics, in community conversations — is not a small thing. It is the difference between a family waiting and watching, and a family acting.
This June, consider having the conversation. Name what you see. Ask the question out loud.
(Re)Think Your Brain: A Checklist for June
This Alzheimer’s and Brain Awareness Month, start here:
Schedule a blood pressure check — uncontrolled hypertension in midlife is the single largest modifiable risk factor for dementia Get your blood sugar and HbA1c tested if you haven’t in the past year Commit to 30 minutes of physical activity, at least 5 days a week Prioritise sleep — create a consistent bedtime routine and limit screens after 9 PM Pick up something new to learn — a language, an instrument, a craft Call someone you haven’t spoken to in a while — connection is medicine If you have a family member showing early signs, book an appointment with a neurologist — not next month. This week.
Conclusion: Your Brain Has Been Carrying You. It’s Time to Carry It Back.
The brain is the most extraordinary thing you will ever own. It holds your memories, your loves, your language, your grief, your joy. It is the archive of everything you have ever been.
Alzheimer’s disease does not announce itself with fanfare. It arrives quietly, in the margins — a misplaced word here, a forgotten face there. And by the time most families in India recognise it for what it is, years have already passed.
But here is what this month asks of us: don’t wait for symptoms to start the conversation. Start today. With your doctor. With your family. With yourself.
Your brain has been quietly running your life for decades. This June — and every June — give it the attention it deserves.
Because the mind is not just where we think. It is where we live.
At Linux Laboratories, we are committed to advancing awareness in neurosciences, mental health, and brain wellness — because informed communities build healthier lives. This blog is for public awareness and educational purposes only. It does not constitute medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment recommendations. Please consult a qualified healthcare professional for personalised guidance.
References
- Alzheimer’s Disease International. World Alzheimer Report 2023: Reducing Dementia Risk. ADI, London.
- ARDSI. Dementia India Report 2023. Alzheimer’s and Related Disorders Society of India.
- Livingston G, et al. Dementia prevention, intervention, and care: 2024 report of the Lancet Standing Commission. The Lancet. 2024.
- Jack CR Jr, et al. Tracking pathophysiological processes in Alzheimer’s disease: an updated hypothetical model of dynamic biomarkers. The Lancet Neurology. 2013; 12(2):207–216.
- Dhana K, et al. MIND diet, common brain pathologies, and cognition in community-dwelling older adults. Journal of Alzheimer’s Disease. 2021.
- Global Council on Brain Health. Brain Health and Mental Well-Being. AARP, 2024.
- Siddiqui TJ, et al. Pollution and cognitive decline in South Asian urban populations. The Lancet Planetary Health. 2023.
