ISLAMABAD, DEC 21 (ONLINE): With researchers estimating the number of people globally living with Alzheimer\u2019s disease to reach 153 million by 2050Trusted Source, scientists have been working recently to develop new preventions and treatments for this type of dementia.<\/p>\n
As the exact cause of Alzheimer\u2019s disease is still unknown, there is not currently a definitive way to prevent the disease.<\/p>\n
However, previous research shows certain healthy lifestyle modificationsTrusted Source may help lower a person\u2019s risk for the condition, including a healthy dietTrusted Source, regular physical exerciseTrusted Source, getting enough sleep, staying socially connectedTrusted Source, and managing health issues like high blood pressureTrusted Source and diabetesTrusted Source that can increase a person\u2019s risk for cardiovascular diseaseTrusted Source.<\/p>\n
Adding to this knowledge is a new study from researchers at the University of California \u2014 San Francisco (UCSF) that personalized health and lifestyle changes may be able to delay and even prevent memory lossTrusted Source in people at high risk for Alzheimer\u2019s disease.
\nThe study was recently published in the journal JAMA Internal MedicineTrusted Source.<\/p>\n
Personalized lifestyle modifications to lower Alzheimer\u2019s risk
\nDr. Kristine Yaffe, vice chair and professor in the UCSF Departments of Neurology, Psychiatry, and Epidemiology and Biostatistics, and first author and lead investigator of this study told Medical News Today they decided to study the effect of a personalized health and lifestyle approach because while clinicians know about lifestyle risk factors for Alzheimer\u2019s disease, it is not clear if reducing those risk factors leads to improved cognition.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt is hard to get people to change health and behavior,\u201d Dr. Yaffe continued. \u201cOur hypothesis was that a personalized approach, in which people\u2019s individual risk factors are assessed \u2014 not one size for all \u2014 and the person can choose their goals and ways to improve their risk factor \u2014 e.g. sleep, physical activity, social engagement \u2014 that we would be able to reduce risk and this would translate to better cognition.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cNo one has tried this approach before and we found that we could improve risk factors and cognition even though this occurred during COVID,\u201d she added. \u201cFurthermore, there are only a handful of trials that have ever shown cognition benefits with interventions on these health and lifestyle factors.\u201d<\/p>\n
While generalized health and lifestyle changes can certainly be effective, those who are less motivated to make these adjustments may benefit from a personalized plan.<\/p>\n
A personalized health and lifestyle modification plan allows a person to take charge of their health by specifying what areas they want to target for change.<\/p>\n
And as every person is different, a personalized approach allows medical advisors to tailor their suggestions to one person rather than to all people.<\/p>\n
A study published in June 2021 found that people receiving personalized nutrition advice improved their dietary intakeTrusted Source more than those receiving generalized diet advice.<\/p>\n
Another study published in June 2021 reported those who followed a personalized nutrition plan experienced improved lifestyle habits and reductionsTrusted Source in body weight and BMI.<\/p>\n
And research published in October 2019 discovered that personalized lifestyle advice given to seniors helped improve resilience and motivation, and helped provide a reduction in body fat percentage and hip circumference, compared to those receiving generic lifestyle advice.<\/p>\n
Lifestyle risk factors for dementia
\nFor the study, Dr. Yaffe and her team recruited 172 study participants between the ages of 70 to 89 years. All participants had at least two of eight dementia risk factors at the start of the 2-year study.<\/p>\n
These risk factors included:
\n\u2022\tphysical inactivity
\n\u2022\tuncontrolled hypertension
\n\u2022\tuncontrolled diabetes
\n\u2022\tpoor sleep
\n\u2022\tuse of prescription medications associated with risk of cognitive decline
\n\u2022\thigh depressive symptoms
\n\u2022\tsocial isolation
\n\u2022\tbeing a current smoker.<\/p>\n
Half of the participants received personalized coaching from a nurse and health coach and were allowed to select specific risk factors they wanted help with.
\nThese participants received coaching sessions every few months to review their goals. The meetings switched from in-person to telephone during the pandemic.<\/p>\n
The other half of the study participants had general educational material on dementia risk reduction mailed to them every 3 months.
\n74% improvement in cognitive function
\nAfter 2 years, researchers found participants who received personalized coaching experienced a modest boost in cognitive testing, amounting to a 74% improvement over the nonpersonalized group.<\/p>\n
Additionally, the personalized coaching group also had a 145% improvement in risk factors and an 8% improvement in quality of life compared to the nonpersonalized group.
\n\u201cWe were thrilled to see such a big difference in the groups,\u201d Dr. Yaffe said. \u201cThis provides clear evidence that if one can reduce these modifiable risk factors with this personalized approach, one can improve cognition and prevent decline which most likely would prevent Alzheimer\u2019s disease.\u201d<\/p>\n
Nonpharmacological approaches to dementia risk prevention
\nMNT also spoke with Dr. Shannel Kassis Elhelou, geropsychology and neuropsychology fellow at Pacific Neuroscience Institute\u2019s Brain Wellness and Lifestyle Programs in Santa Monica, CA, about this study.
\nDr. Elhelou, who was not involved in the research, said she found these findings promising and encouraging as they suggest that personalized health and lifestyle interventions can have a positive impact on cognitive functioning in older adults at high risk for Alzheimer\u2019s disease, which could potentially open new avenues for nonpharmacological approaches.<\/p>\n
\u201cThese findings could influence how providers discuss health and lifestyle interventions with their patients at high risk for Alzheimer\u2019s disease by opting for a personalized approach as opposed to a one-size-fits-all approach. In addition, providers may be more inclined to refer their patients to health coaches [who] can address specific needs and preferences, as well as assist with motivation to adhere to lifestyle changes.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u2013 Dr. Shannel Kassis Elhelou<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
ISLAMABAD, DEC 21 (ONLINE): With researchers estimating the number of people globally living with Alzheimer\u2019s disease to reach 153 million by 2050Trusted Source, scientists have been working recently to develop new preventions and treatments for this type of dementia. As the exact cause of Alzheimer\u2019s […]<\/p>\n
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