Brain Health Challenge tests your knowledge of healthy habits.

The article introduces a weeklong Brain Health Challenge led by reporter Dana Smith that highlights everyday habits—like sleep, diet and exercise—that support cognition, and includes a quiz activity for readers to try and share.

The Brain Health Challenge is a weeklong series presented by reporter Dana Smith. It focuses on everyday behaviors that support thinking and reduce long-term risks such as cognitive decline, dementia and stroke. The series highlights basic habits such as nutritious eating, regular exercise and adequate sleep that can boost brain function. Clinical trials are reported to show that these lifestyle habits can improve cognition or slow decline, although they do not guarantee prevention of dementia. Key points: - The challenge presents one brain-supporting activity each day during the week. - Getting seven to eight hours of sleep is associated with better memory and other cognitive abilities. - REM sleep is reported to help transfer short-term memories into long-term storage. - During sleep the brain's glymphatic system clears abnormal proteins, including amyloid, which is linked to Alzheimer’s disease. - Several clinical trials are described as showing that lifestyle habits can improve cognition or slow decline. Summary: The article frames routine behaviors such as sleep, exercise and diet as ways to support brain function now and potentially reduce future cognitive risk. It notes a daily quiz activity as part of the weeklong challenge and reports that readers are invited to share their quiz results with an accountability partner or in the comments.