Dr. Ilene Naomi Rusk, 2523 Broadway Suite 200, Boulder, CO (2026)

02/27/2026

𝗙𝗼𝘂𝗻𝗱𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝗣𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗽𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗶𝘃𝗲𝘀 𝗶𝗻 𝗕𝗿𝗮𝗶𝗻 𝗛𝗲𝗮𝗹𝘁𝗵 𝗥𝗲𝘀𝗲𝗮𝗿𝗰𝗵: 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗣𝗢𝗜𝗡𝗧𝗘𝗥 𝗦𝘁𝘂𝗱𝘆

So often, we think that protecting our brain health has to be complicated. But research shows us that it's actually quite the opposite.

Because we’re usually addressing memory concerns later than we should, it can feel like the only options treatments are highly specialized, expensive interventions that are out of reach for many people.

The truth is: prevention and early intervention are the smartest medicines we have. And we can start with simple!

Building on the findings of the FINGER Trial, the U.S. POINTER Trial showed that personalized lifestyle changes can really improve thinking and memory over time. While it may sound simple, this is a point that is often missed, and it’s critical.

Incremental lifestyle changes are essential to preventing and reducing the risk of cognitive decline and prevention and early intervention are essential to preserving brain longevity or Brainspan.

The study also showed that structured programs for comprehensive lifestyle modifications work better than going it alone. It’s not just about the recommendations themselves, but about the guidance, support, and accountability that help people stick with changes long enough to see results.

Ultimately, the POINTER Trial reminds us that basic lifestyle steps, supported by clinical care and community — are what make the biggest difference for brain health because making lasting changes is often challenging to do on your own.

This research is clear- the findings give us an actionable framework for taking a precise, systems-based approach to caring for our brains, being able to prevent decline, and improve cognitive health.

💡 To learn more or explore options for personalized, supportive clinical care, visit ilenenaomirusk.com and start your brain health journey today.

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02/24/2026

𝟮𝟰 𝗛𝗼𝘂𝗿𝘀 𝗟𝗲𝗳𝘁 𝘁𝗼 𝗝𝗼𝗶𝗻! ⏳

BrainSpan Bootcamp begins tomorrow, and registration is closing in 24 hours!

We'd love to have you join us!

Over the years, I have seen how small, consistent changes in sleep, nutrition, movement, and stress physiology can meaningfully shift cognitive trajectory. Studies prove the efficacy of this incremental approach, and BrainSpan Bootcamp creates a personalized program for you that makes these meaningful shifts doable.

𝗕𝗿𝗮𝗶𝗻𝗦𝗽𝗮𝗻 𝗕𝗼𝗼𝘁𝗰𝗮𝗺𝗽 is a 12-week, expert-led small group training program grounded in the 𝗥𝗘𝗖𝗢𝗗𝗘 / 𝗕𝗿𝗲𝗱𝗲𝘀𝗲𝗻 𝗣𝗿𝗼𝘁𝗼𝗰𝗼𝗹 and the 𝟴 𝗣𝗶𝗹𝗹𝗮𝗿𝘀 𝗼𝗳 𝗕𝗿𝗮𝗶𝗻 𝗛𝗲𝗮𝗹𝘁𝗵. This is thoughtful, evidence-based instruction delivered in a small, engaged group where questions are welcomed and progress is intentional.

Together, we focus on how to:

✔ Support memory and executive function
✔ Reduce inflammation affecting cognition
✔ Build long-term neurological resilience
✔ Address root contributors before decline progresses

Each week, we apply practical, evidence-based strategies to help you improve:

🥗 Nutrition
😴 Sleep
🧬 Hormonal health
🏃 Movement and circulation
🌿 Detoxification pathways
🧘 Stress resilience
🤝 Community & purpose

All of these pillars work together to optimize your brain health.

Ultimately, brain health is not only about avoiding decline. It is about preserving clarity, curiosity, emotional steadiness, and the capacity to fully participate in your life.

If you are ready to cultivate a brain that supports clarity, vitality, and joy across your lifespan, I would be honored to have you join us.

𝗥𝗲𝗴𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗰𝗹𝗼𝘀𝗲𝘀 𝗶𝗻 𝟮𝟰 𝗵𝗼𝘂𝗿𝘀.

Enroll at https://www.ilenenaomirusk.com/brainspan-bootcamp or through the link in the comments.

02/23/2026

🧠 𝗛𝗼𝗽𝗲𝗳𝘂𝗹 𝗙𝗶𝗻𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗴𝘀 𝗶𝗻 𝗕𝗿𝗮𝗶𝗻 𝗛𝗲𝗮𝗹𝘁𝗵 𝗥𝗲𝘀𝗲𝗮𝗿𝗰𝗵: 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗙𝗜𝗡𝗚𝗘𝗥 𝗦𝘁𝘂𝗱𝘆

The FINGER Trial changed the conversation around cognitive aging and the brain.

For decades, much of what we believed about dementia prevention came from observational research, meaning we could see associations but could not prove cause and effect. The FINGER study advanced the field by using a randomized controlled trial design, the gold standard in medical research, and demonstrated that a structured, multidomain lifestyle intervention can measurably preserve cognitive function in at-risk older adults.

The results of this clinical trial matter far beyond one study.

Clinical trials are essential in neuroscience because the brain is complex and nervous system are complex and deeply influenced by multiple interacting systems. Without rigorous trials, we risk relying on trends, anecdotes, or incomplete evidence what should guide prevention and clinical treatments of Alzheimer’s. With the science, we can identify what really works, quantify benefit, and translate science into prevention strategies that you can use right away.

Brain health deserves the same scientific standard as any other field of medicine.

Prevention is not guesswork. It is evidence-based.

Stay tuned for exciting news about the POINTER STUDY!

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02/20/2026

🧠 𝗕𝗿𝗮𝗶𝗻𝗦𝗽𝗮𝗻 𝗕𝗼𝗼𝘁𝗰𝗮𝗺𝗽
→ 𝗢𝗻𝗹𝘆 𝟮 𝗗𝗮𝘆𝘀 𝗟𝗲𝗳𝘁 𝘁𝗼 𝗥𝗲𝗴𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗿!

What happens when we bring together neuroscience, lifestyle medicine, and genuine human connection? We create space for the brain to heal, adapt, and become more resilient.

This 𝟭𝟮-𝘄𝗲𝗲𝗸 𝘀𝗺𝗮𝗹𝗹 𝗴𝗿𝗼𝘂𝗽 𝗲𝘅𝗽𝗲𝗿𝗶𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲, led by 𝗗𝗿. 𝗜𝗹𝗲𝗻𝗲 𝗡𝗮𝗼𝗺𝗶 𝗥𝘂𝘀𝗸, 𝗣𝗵𝗗, 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗗𝗿. 𝗝𝗲𝘀𝘀𝗶𝗰𝗮 𝗞𝗻𝗮𝗽𝗲, 𝗠𝗗, was designed for people who want to feel clearer, sharper, and more confident in their thinking through practical, physician-guided strategies that support the whole person.

Grounded in the 𝗥𝗘𝗖𝗢𝗗𝗘 / 𝗕𝗿𝗲𝗱𝗲𝘀𝗲𝗻 𝗣𝗿𝗼𝘁𝗼𝗰𝗼𝗹 and the 𝟴 𝗣𝗶𝗹𝗹𝗮𝗿𝘀 𝗼𝗳 𝗕𝗿𝗮𝗶𝗻 𝗛𝗲𝗮𝗹𝘁𝗵, the program focuses on the foundations that truly matter. Nutrition, sleep, hormone balance, movement, detoxification, stress resilience, and meaningful community.

We explore how inflammation affects cognition.
Why memory changes happen.
And most importantly, what you can do about it.

The takeaway is empowering.
The brain is adaptable.
When we support it intentionally, it responds.

Each week includes live teaching, coaching, accountability, and a supportive private group. The setting is intentionally small to keep the experience personal and impactful.

The program begins 𝗙𝗲𝗯𝗿𝘂𝗮𝗿𝘆 𝟮𝟱, 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟲.

Sessions are held live on Zoom and at the HealthSpan / Brain + Behaviour Clinic.

𝗥𝗲𝗴𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗰𝗹𝗼𝘀𝗲𝘀 𝗶𝗻 𝟰𝟴 𝗵𝗼𝘂𝗿𝘀.

If this has been on your heart, consider this your gentle reminder.
Now is the time to begin.

Link to register in the comments below.

01/29/2026

Get ready to unlock your full potential! Our 6️⃣ session brain health programme kicks off February 25th! and I are excited to guide you through the Pillars of Brain Health, tailored just for you. We will support some deep healing and nervous system regulation as well! Join our warm community and boost your Brainpower! All the sessions will be recorded so don’t worry if you miss a few!! Put “Brain” in the comments below if you want us to send you more information! system

01/01/2026

I’m taking a deep dive into Polyvagal Theory this week in a class I’m teaching and talking about how the Vagus Nerve and particularly having flexibility in our Vagus Nerve, benefits, our brain health and our longevity… all the pillars of brain health that I talk about are impacted by the Vagus Nerve Healthy vagal tone supports flexibility across brain health pillars, helping the nervous system shift efficiently between activation and restoration, which influences sleep quality, emotional regulation, immune balance, metabolic health, and the brain’s capacity for repair and plasticity.
Practices that strengthen your brain health pillars—movement, breath, social engagement, nourishment, stillness, and meaning—directly influence vagal signaling, reinforcing a bottom-up sense of safety that allows higher cortical networks to function optimally. warm social connections, intentional, and conscious breathing working on nervous system, regulation and healing trauma are several of the ways we can work with the Vagus Nerve for brain health. Sending you all wishes for love and good health and of course, peace inside your homes and peace through throughout the world! When we take care of our individual nervous system systems, we definitely impact the nervous system of the planet!

11/06/2025

Magic happens! Right? I think you have to believe it does, and then it does. About three months ago, my son asked me if I’d ever go to India, and I said I’d only go if I could do service work and meet the Dalai Lama. Fifteen minutes after I sent those words out into the universe, I received an email and was invited to do exactly that by , an incredible organization. I bring my personalized brain and emotional health strategies with me and I’ll share them in the next post!

10/27/2025

For those of you who were at my talk called “A Blueprint for Brain and Mental Health” on Saturday, thank you for coming. I loved sharing that breathing technique and the butterfly tapping with you too! I defined BRAINSPAN as living long, and living with strong thinking abilities. Nobody wants to have a long life with dementia 😔Thanks to the Daily Camera for that excellent article that you wrote about my work, and for recognizing that we’re in a world where building resilience and tapping into our inner (and outer) resources is a key strategy for supporting our brain + emotional health! Anxiety and fear are rampant. We can build stress resilience and brain longevity though healing our traumas (yes, plural), and implement ting an integrative approach; moving our bodies more, eating more (and varied) vegetables, challenging our brains, varying and upticking our exercise routine, having a growth mindset, loving ourselves and each other more, (and more often), and oh, so much more. May many people implement these health optimizing pillars of wellbeing!!

10/24/2025

Dear friends! This weekend is an amazing gathering at !
Aging at Altitude (Saturday, October 25th, 8:30a-2p) is a place where you can find so many resources on optimizing aging and longevity in Colorado.

I’ll be giving a talk called
“Your Personalized Blueprint for Brain Health”
which of course includes nervous system health and building stress resilience!
(my favorite topics to share with you!)

This is a free event, join me!

10/20/2025

Clap if you think this is the cutest thing!!!
👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏

10/02/2025

Jane Goodall died peacefully in her sleep. She was 91. It will take our togetherness and kindness to make heaven a place on earth. I met Jane Goodall a number of years ago and she typified warmth as she adored, bugs, animals and humans with the same spacious compassion and acceptance. My prayers on this Holy day is that we can all dig more deeply into our compassionate and kind nature and change rigidity into curiosity, and fear into hopefulness. This tribute was posted on FB. Thank you . “She walked softly through the forest, yet her voice thundered across continents.

Jane Goodall was not merely a scientist; she was a soul entwined with nature’s breath.

With patience as her compass and compassion as her creed, she listened to the whispers of chimpanzees and taught humanity to hear.

Her legacy is etched not in stone, but in the living pulse of every creature she defended.

She stood against extinction, against indifference, against despair; undaunted, unyielding.

Her eyes saw not just animals, but kin.

Her hands planted hope where others saw ruin.

And now, though she walks no more among the trees, her spirit rustles in every leaf, echoes in every call of the wild.

Let us carry her torch; not as mourners, but as stewards.

For Jane Goodall did not vanish.

She became the forest” send you love

09/02/2025

Feeling anxious sometimes? S And anxiety takes so many forms doesn’t it? Some people experiencing anxiety as racing thoughts some people feel their heart beating more quickly or don’t even notice that they’re breathing higher in their chest and more rapidly. No one experiences anxiety in a quite the same way, but there’s some really important common features: to feel of trembling and unease about the future, to worry about your health often and become preoccupied with somatic symptoms. To avoid social@situation l

Dr. Ilene Naomi Rusk