In recognition of Alzheimer’s Awareness Month, The Brew News sat down with Dr. Semer Wang, Medical Director of The Brain & Performance Centre – a DP World Company – to explore the science behind early cognitive decline, preventive strategies, and the unique brain health challenges posed by modern urban lifestyles.
In this in-depth interview, conducted by Managing Editor Shaneer N Siddiqui, Dr. Wang shares evidence-backed insights into maintaining long-term brain resilience, the role of stress and nutrition, and how personalised approaches and technology are reshaping Alzheimer’s prevention.
The Brew News: What are some of the earliest and often overlooked symptoms of cognitive decline—especially in individuals under 50?
Dr. Semer Wang: Cognitive decline does not begin with memory loss alone. In individuals under 50, early symptoms are often subtle and commonly misattributed to stress or lifestyle. A key early indicator is reduced mental stamina or difficulty sustaining focus during tasks that were previously routine. This may present as frequent distractions, slower information processing, or mental fatigue after minimal cognitive effort.
Other signs include changes in emotional regulation—such as increased irritability or reduced tolerance for stress—as well as impaired decision-making or changes in sleep patterns. These early disruptions may reflect functional changes in brain performance that warrant assessment.
While these symptoms are often dismissed, early intervention is possible. With timely assessment and personalised strategies, such as those offered at our centre, we can address these changes before they progress further.
The Brew News: At what age should individuals begin monitoring brain health to reduce their risk of Alzheimer’s?
Dr. Semer Wang: Monitoring brain health should ideally begin in one’s 30s or 40s. Although Alzheimer’s symptoms typically appear later in life, the underlying changes in brain structure and function can start decades earlier—often without overt symptoms.
Individuals with risk factors—such as a family history, high stress levels, or metabolic conditions, such as diabetes,—should be particularly proactive. Early cognitive assessments and advanced brain imaging can help identify subtle deficits, biomarker changes, or modifiable risk factors.
With timely intervention— utilizing cognitive training, physical conditioning, nutrition, and hyperbaric oxygen-based therapies—there is significant potential to delay or reduce the risk of developing Alzheimer’s-related pathology.
The Brew News: What unique cognitive health risks are posed by Dubai’s fast-paced, high-pressure lifestyle?
Dr. Semer Wang: Dubai’s demanding work culture, extended screen time, and high expectations contribute to elevated stress levels, disrupted circadian rhythms, and reduced cognitive recovery times—all of which affect long-term brain health.
Burnout, in particular, often manifests with reduced cognitive flexibility, impaired focus, and slower processing speed. Limited physical activity, calory rich nutrition, and insufficient exposure to restorative environments such as outdoor activities, sports, and hobbies, especially during the hotter summer months, further accelerate cognitive fatigue and potential long term brain damage.
In such environments, cognitive health cannot be treated as a passive concern. Ongoing brain health monitoring and structured interventions are essential for sustaining mental clarity and performance, especially in high-functioning professionals.
The Brew News: How do stress and chronic sleep deprivation affect long-term brain function?
Dr. Semer Wang: Chronic stress and insufficient sleep are two of the most significant—and underestimated—contributors to cognitive decline.
Prolonged stress elevates cortisol levels, which can impair the normal functions of many brain structures including the hippocampus, a region essential for learning and memory. Concurrently, sleep deprivation limits the brain’s ability to clear metabolic waste, consolidate memories, and maintain synaptic health.
Together, these factors may contribute to reduced neuroplasticity, emotional instability, and increased vulnerability to neurodegenerative conditions. Prioritising recovery—through stress regulation strategies and quality sleep and recovery—is essential for protecting long-term brain resilience.
The Brew News: Is Alzheimer’s truly preventable, or only delayable? What does the current science say?
Dr. Semer Wang: Alzheimer’s is a complex and multifactorial disease. While full prevention may not be possible in every case, emerging research confirms that the condition is highly modifiable.
Neuroimaging and biomarker studies now reveal a lengthy preclinical phase—often decades long—during which preventive strategies can be highly effective. These include personalised interventions focused on inflammation reduction, vascular health, metabolic balance, and neural stimulation.
When combined with early targeted medical protocols, and structured lifestyle modifications, onset of Alzheimer’s disease can be delayed, and in many cases, prevent the clinical progression to Alzheimer’s disease altogether. Genetic predisposition plays a role, but environment, and lifestyle choices and behaviours, shape the trajectory.
The Brew News: What role does nutrition play in cognitive longevity, and are there specific foods or supplements you recommend?
Dr. Semer Wang: Nutrition plays a critical role in maintaining brain health, reducing inflammation, and supporting cognitive performance. In general terms, caloric restriction, low carbs and high protein intake, plays a major role in a healthy diet.
The MIND diet (Mediterranean–DASH Intervention for Neurodegenerative Delay) is a well researched nutrition approach based on eating fresh healthy produce and includes foods rich in omega-3 fatty acids (such as salmon, flaxseeds, and walnuts), folate (leafy greens like spinach and broccoli), and flavonoids (found in berries).
Another well researched strategy is the time restricted eating, sometimes referred to as intermittent fasting, where calory consumption is reserved to a 4-8 hour window each day. For example, skipping breakfast and consuming food between 12:00-20:00 each day, while only drinking non caloric beverages preferably water between 20:00-12:00. This eating strategy has shown improvements in weight control, inflammation reduction and more.
Unfortunately, food supplements have shown only modest modifications in cognitive and general health, however, as their name implies, they may supplement a healthy eating regimen and give the consumer an additional health boost.
Key supplements may include:
- Omega-3 – reduces neuroinflammation improves brain function and metabolic health.
- Vitamin D – especially important for individuals with limited sun exposure, important for brain health, immune function and bone metabolism.
- Curcumin – has anti-inflammatory effects and possibly some positive effects on mood and cognition.
- NMN – may improve mitochondrial function and have anti-aging effects.
In addition, diets high in calories, carbohydrates, refined sugars, processed foods, saturated fats, and alcohol, should be avoided, as they promote insulin resistance neuroinflammation, and cancer.
The Brew News: How does regular movement support cognitive function—especially in sedentary professions?
Dr. Semer Wang: Physical activity enhances cerebral blood flow, supports neurogenesis, and increases levels of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), which is essential for neuronal repair and plasticity.
For individuals in desk-based or sedentary roles, incorporating short movement breaks—such as walking, light stretching, or brief aerobic bursts—can reduce mental fatigue and improve concentration.
Importantly, consistency is more beneficial than intensity. Daily movement, even in small amounts, plays a significant role in maintaining memory, executive function, and overall brain vitality.
The Brew News: What early interventions are most effective for individuals already noticing mild memory changes?
Dr. Semer Wang: When mild memory changes are observed, the first step should be a comprehensive cognitive evaluation to identify contributing factors—whether metabolic, emotional, sleep-related, or neurological.
Interventions may include:
- Optimising sleep quality
- Addressing nutritional deficiencies
- Managing chronic stress
- Initiating targeted cognitive exercises
- Increasing physical activity
- Reducing alcohol and eliminating smoking
Timely action can slow or even stabilise the trajectory of decline. Neuroplasticity remains possible at all ages—particularly when interventions are introduced early.
The Brew News: What is cognitive training, and how can it be practically integrated into a weekly routine?
Dr. Semer Wang: Cognitive training refers to structured exercises designed to activate and reinforce specific neural pathways related to memory, attention, decision-making, and executive function.
It can include digital and analog brain training programmes, or non clinical activities which stimulate the brain, such as playing chess, playing a musical instrument, solving sudoku and logic puzzles, or learning new languages. What’s essential is:
- Challenge: The activity should require mental effort.
- Novelty: It should be different from routine tasks.
- Consistency: Ideally practiced for at least half an hour on most days of the week.
Cognitive training, like physical exercise, builds resilience over time—supporting sharper focus and mental adaptability.
The Brew News: Are there cultural or lifestyle factors in the UAE that impact long-term brain health—positively or negatively?
Dr. Semer Wang: Certain lifestyle factors in the UAE pose challenges to cognitive health—particularly irregular sleep, high screen time, many opportunities to eat out in lunches, brunches and dinners, and limited outdoor activity during peak summer months.
The high prevalence of delivery-based eating may also contribute to excessive intake of refined foods. Additionally, long working hours in a sedentary environment, reduce time for recovery and restorative activity.
However, cultural strengths—such as strong family ties, community integration, travel, and increased investment in wellness technology—offer protective benefits. Tools like wearable devices, health apps, and early screening programmes can help mitigate risk and promote a proactive approach to cognitive care.
The Brew News: How is technology transforming early detection and personalised prevention of Alzheimer’s?
Dr. Semer Wang: Technological advancements are reshaping Alzheimer’s prevention by enabling earlier detection and more personalised care.
Wearables now track physiological data such as sleep quality, heart rate variability, and stress levels, offering early insight into neurophysiological stress patterns. Changes in the way we interact with our smartphones is being examined as having promise as a screening tool for early detection of cognitive changes. More advanced tools—such as advanced brain imaging, cognitive performance mapping, and biomarkers in the blood are becoming more accurate and are taking a greater role in early detection and personalized prevention strategies of Alzheimer’s disease.
This data allows clinicians to suspect cognitive dysfunction before clinical symptoms arise, enabling targeted interventions tailored to the individual’s risk profile before the symptoms start interfering with daily activities.
The future of neurodegenerative care is rooted in data-driven, preventive medicine—and this shift is already underway.
The Brew News: What are your top three science-backed habits for building long-term brain resilience?
Dr. Semer Wang:
- Engage in regular physical activity
Aerobic movement increases hippocampal volume and supports neural health. Spend at least 30 minutes on most days of the week performing some exercise, a brisk walking session on most days is sufficient, and a high intensity session at least twice per week is highly recommended. - Maintain lifelong mental stimulation
Learn new skills, engage in meaningful human interactions, and challenge the brain with novel tasks (books, languages, games). Cognitive reserve is built through consistent, purposeful learning. - Prioritise restorative sleep
Aim for 7–9 hours of uninterrupted sleep per night. Sleep is essential for memory consolidation, toxin clearance, and emotional regulation.
These pillars—movement, cognitive engagement, and sleep—form the foundation of long-term cognitive resilience. Small, consistent habits practiced early can have a measurable impact across the lifespan.
