Looking to keep your mind sharp? A significant new study reveals that certain lifestyle adjustments are beneficial.
A large-scale investigation indicates that nutrition, physical activity, and other lifestyle modifications can substantially boost the well-being of maturing minds.
Researchers have presented compelling evidence that a blend of nutritional changes, workouts, and cognitive exercises can enhance thinking and remembrance among older adults in the United States.
An exploration involving over 2,100 inactive individuals in their 60s and 70s demonstrated that those who engaged in an intensive two-year program not only enhanced their cognitive capabilities but also seemed to mitigate the common declines linked to aging.
"These individuals are attaining cognitive scores comparable to those [peer group] who are one to two years younger," remarks Laura Baker, a lead investigator and professor of gerontology and geriatrics at Wake Forest University School of Medicine.
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At the Alzheimer's Association International Conference in Toronto, data from the so-called POINTER study were presented. The Journal of the American Medical Association also published the results at the same time.
These findings align with previous research from a smaller Finnish study that involved a less heterogeneous group and are in agreement with decades of studies suggesting that individual interventions, such as physical activity, can diminish brain and cognitive alterations related to aging.
An examination of individuals at risk
The POINTER study focused on those aged 60 to 79 with normal memory and cognitive skills yet at a heightened risk for cognitive decline and Alzheimer's disease.
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"Participants needed to be inactive, not regular exercisers, and follow a less-than-ideal diet," states Baker.
Half of the participants developed their own strategies for healthier eating and increased exercise.
The other half participated in a comprehensive, meticulously designed program that involved aerobic workouts four times a week, sticking to a heart-friendly Mediterranean diet, cognitive training online, compulsory social events, and monitoring blood pressure and glucose levels.
Both groups saw improvements in memory and cognitive tests, but the intensive group experienced significantly greater gains.
Although challenging, many found the rigorous program to be transformative, Baker notes. Most participants were able to implement considerable and enduring changes, with support, oversight, and abundant encouragement.
"Forming new habits or altering behaviors requires deliberate effort consistently," asserts Baker. "It’s simply impossible."
The Next Challenge
The Alzheimer's Association invested close to $50 million in the POINTER study, while the National Institutes of Health provided an even larger sum for brain scans, blood testing, and sleep studies for many participants, which will be published later for additional insights.
The findings do not apply to Alzheimer's disease; they only apply to changes brought on by age. Adoption may be aided by ongoing research findings, such as analyses of blood tests and brain scans that show whether quantifiable improvements in brain health aligned with a person's cognitive
In order to apply the insights gained from POINTER, the Alzheimer's Association plans to spend an extra $40 million over the next four years.
"The transition from the POINTER protocols to actionable community delivery is undoubtedly the next phase," explains study co-author Heather Snyder, a senior vice president at the Alzheimer's Association.
To facilitate this, the organization will be exploring a variety of inquiries, Snyder adds: "What will resonate with individuals? Will it be a suggestion from their healthcare provider? A technological app for motivation? Or a new feature in their devices?"
Such initiatives aimed at altering behavior nationwide should be energized by the increasing American interest in guidance for enhancing brain health, she notes.
"At the Alzheimer's Association, this is one of the most common inquiries we receive—people often ask, 'My mother had dementia; my father faced memory issues—what can I do?' This question is a strong motivator for many."
A critical step will be gaining commitment from the nation’s healthcare providers.
According to Langbaum, support from the country's healthcare providers would be a crucial first step.
Adoption may be aided by ongoing research findings, such as analyses of blood tests and brain scans that show whether quantifiable improvements in brain health aligned with a person's cognitive development. Researchers think that changing one's lifestyle to enhance cognitive function and slow down "brain age" could postpone dementia, including Alzheimer's. She believes that lifestyle modifications should be handled by doctors in the same way that they would a medication, requiring prescription regimens like the one in POINTER to be prescribed and being covered by insurance companies.
The results are expected to be made public later this year. According to Langbaum, even people who are living healthy lives might want to take it a step farther in the meantime.
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