Lifestyle Interventions for Dementia Prevention

This trial aims to determine how lifestyle changes can help prevent dementia by focusing on five key areas: physical activity, brain-healthy eating, cognitive engagement, social connections, and mental well-being. Participants will receive a Personalized Dementia Risk Reduction Program to lower their dementia risk and will undergo regular assessments to track changes. The trial is open to individuals aged 50 or older who speak English well and do not have a dementia diagnosis. As an unphased trial, this study offers a unique opportunity to contribute to groundbreaking research on dementia prevention.

The trial information does not specify whether you need to stop taking your current medications.

Research has shown that personalized plans to lower dementia risk are generally safe for participants. In a two-year clinical trial, these plans improved thinking skills and reduced dementia risk, indicating they are well-tolerated.

The focus includes lifestyle changes such as increasing physical activity, consuming brain-healthy foods, engaging in mental exercises, building social connections, and enhancing mental well-being. These activities typically do not raise safety concerns or cause negative effects. Studies suggest that addressing lifestyle risk factors can slow memory and thinking problems without posing risks to participants.

Researchers are excited about the Personalized Dementia Risk Reduction Program because it offers a holistic approach to preventing dementia that goes beyond the traditional methods focused on medication. Unlike current treatments that often address symptoms after they appear, this program emphasizes proactive lifestyle changes, including physical activity, brain-healthy eating, cognitive engagement, social connections, and mental wellbeing. By encouraging a comprehensive lifestyle overhaul, this program aims to reduce dementia risk factors before they manifest, providing a potentially more effective and sustainable way to maintain brain health. This proactive and integrative strategy could revolutionize how we approach dementia prevention, making it a promising avenue for future healthcare.

Research has shown that personalized programs focusing on different life areas can lower the risk of dementia. This trial will evaluate various lifestyle interventions, including physical activity, brain-healthy eating, cognitive engagement, social connections, and mental well-being, as separate treatment arms. One study found that a personalized plan over two years led to some improvement in thinking skills and reduced the risk of dementia. A review of various studies supports the idea that addressing several lifestyle factors can be effective, especially in middle age. The Lancet Commission suggests that lifestyle changes, such as better diet and more exercise, provide promising evidence for preventing dementia. Overall, attention to changeable risk factors like physical activity, diet, and social connections can positively impact brain health.¹²⁵⁶⁷