Can lifestyle modifications delay or prevent Alzheimer’s disease?

This multi-domain approach for lifestyle modification should be strongly recommended to cognitively intact older patients (level IB).

Modeled after the FINGER study, the Alzheimer’s Association U.S. Study to Protect Brain Health Through Lifestyle Intervention to Reduce Risk (U.S. POINTER) is a 2-year, multicenter, controlled clinical trial aimed at testing the ability of a multi­dimensional lifestyle intervention to prevent AD in at-risk older adults (age 60 to 79, with established metabolic and cardiovascular risk factors). Interventions include a combination of physical exercise, nutritional counseling and management, cognitive and social stimulation, and improved management of cardiovascular risk factors. Recruitment for this large-scale trial was estimated to begin in January 2019 (NCT03688126).⁷⁵

On a practical basis, Desai et al¹³ have proposed a checklist (Table 2¹³) that physicians can use in their routine consultations to improve primary prevention of AD among their older patients.

Bottom Line

Advise patients that pursuing a healthy lifestyle is a key to delaying or preventing Alzheimer’s disease. This involves managing cardiovascular risk factors and a combination of staying physically, mentally, socially, and spiritually active, in addition to adhering to a healthy diet such as the Mediterranean diet.

Related Resources

• Anderson K, Grossberg GT. Brain games to slow cognitive decline in Alzheimer’s disease. J Am Med Dir Assoc. 2014;15(8):536-537.
• Small G, Vorgan G. The memory prescription: Dr. Garry Small’s 14-day plan to keep your brain and body young. New York, NY: Hyperion; 2004.
• Small G, Vorgan G. The Alzheimer’s prevention program; keep your brain healthy for the rest of your life. New York, NY: Workman Publishing Company, Inc.; 2012.

Drug Brand Name

Curcumin • Theracurmin