Want to maintain brain health as you age? Science says follow these simple rules.
The study, known as US POINTER, is the largest trial to examine how healthy lifestyle behaviours can improve brain health. Its results were published in JAMA medical journal and presented at the Alzheimer's Association International Conference in Toronto.
About 45 per cent of dementia cases may be preventable by addressing modifiable risk factors, according to the 2024 Lancet Commission report on dementia prevention.
'If you can modify these and improve them, then it makes sense that you will improve your brain health, and you might prevent dementia,' says Kristine Yaffe, a professor and the vice chair of the department of psychiatry at the University of California at San Francisco.
The study, which was modelled on a 2015 randomised control trial in Finland, was designed to see how cognitive benefits of structured lifestyle changes could generalise to a larger, more diverse population.
The trial provides 'a new recipe' to improve cognitive function and shows healthy behaviours matter for brain health, says Laura Baker, a professor of internal medicine at Wake Forest University School of Medicine and the principal investigator of the study.
Helping those most at risk
The POINTER trial involved 2111 adults aged 60 to 79 across five locations, who were healthy but at risk for cognitive decline and dementia because of lifestyle factors, including a poor diet, lack of regular exercise or cardiovascular risk.
Crucially, the researchers recruited underrepresented groups known to be at high risk for dementia; 31 per cent of participants were from ethnic or minority groups, and 78 per cent had a family history of memory impairment.
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Sydney Morning Herald
3 hours ago
- Sydney Morning Herald
Want to maintain brain health as you age? Science says follow these simple rules
A mix of exercise, a healthy diet, social engagement and brain games could improve cognitive capabilities in older adults at risk of cognitive decline or dementia, a clinical trial has found. The study, known as US POINTER, is the largest trial to examine how healthy lifestyle behaviours can improve brain health. Its results were published in JAMA medical journal and presented at the Alzheimer's Association International Conference in Toronto. About 45 per cent of dementia cases may be preventable by addressing modifiable risk factors, according to the 2024 Lancet Commission report on dementia prevention. 'If you can modify these and improve them, then it makes sense that you will improve your brain health, and you might prevent dementia,' says Kristine Yaffe, a professor and the vice chair of the department of psychiatry at the University of California at San Francisco. The study, which was modelled on a 2015 randomised control trial in Finland, was designed to see how cognitive benefits of structured lifestyle changes could generalise to a larger, more diverse population. The trial provides 'a new recipe' to improve cognitive function and shows healthy behaviours matter for brain health, says Laura Baker, a professor of internal medicine at Wake Forest University School of Medicine and the principal investigator of the study. Helping those most at risk The POINTER trial involved 2111 adults aged 60 to 79 across five locations, who were healthy but at risk for cognitive decline and dementia because of lifestyle factors, including a poor diet, lack of regular exercise or cardiovascular risk. Crucially, the researchers recruited underrepresented groups known to be at high risk for dementia; 31 per cent of participants were from ethnic or minority groups, and 78 per cent had a family history of memory impairment.
Sydney Morning Herald
a day ago
- Sydney Morning Herald
Want to maintain brain health as you age? Science says follow these simple rules.
A mix of exercise, a healthy diet, social engagement and brain games could improve cognitive capabilities in older adults at risk of cognitive decline or dementia, a clinical trial has found. The study, known as US POINTER, is the largest trial to examine how healthy lifestyle behaviours can improve brain health. Its results were published in JAMA medical journal and presented at the Alzheimer's Association International Conference in Toronto. About 45 per cent of dementia cases may be preventable by addressing modifiable risk factors, according to the 2024 Lancet Commission report on dementia prevention. 'If you can modify these and improve them, then it makes sense that you will improve your brain health, and you might prevent dementia,' says Kristine Yaffe, a professor and the vice chair of the department of psychiatry at the University of California at San Francisco. The study, which was modelled on a 2015 randomised control trial in Finland, was designed to see how cognitive benefits of structured lifestyle changes could generalise to a larger, more diverse population. The trial provides 'a new recipe' to improve cognitive function and shows healthy behaviours matter for brain health, says Laura Baker, a professor of internal medicine at Wake Forest University School of Medicine and the principal investigator of the study. Helping those most at risk The POINTER trial involved 2111 adults aged 60 to 79 across five locations, who were healthy but at risk for cognitive decline and dementia because of lifestyle factors, including a poor diet, lack of regular exercise or cardiovascular risk. Crucially, the researchers recruited underrepresented groups known to be at high risk for dementia; 31 per cent of participants were from ethnic or minority groups, and 78 per cent had a family history of memory impairment.
The Age
a day ago
- The Age
Want to maintain brain health as you age? Science says follow these simple rules.
A mix of exercise, a healthy diet, social engagement and brain games could improve cognitive capabilities in older adults at risk of cognitive decline or dementia, a clinical trial has found. The study, known as US POINTER, is the largest trial to examine how healthy lifestyle behaviours can improve brain health. Its results were published in JAMA medical journal and presented at the Alzheimer's Association International Conference in Toronto. About 45 per cent of dementia cases may be preventable by addressing modifiable risk factors, according to the 2024 Lancet Commission report on dementia prevention. 'If you can modify these and improve them, then it makes sense that you will improve your brain health, and you might prevent dementia,' says Kristine Yaffe, a professor and the vice chair of the department of psychiatry at the University of California at San Francisco. The study, which was modelled on a 2015 randomised control trial in Finland, was designed to see how cognitive benefits of structured lifestyle changes could generalise to a larger, more diverse population. The trial provides 'a new recipe' to improve cognitive function and shows healthy behaviours matter for brain health, says Laura Baker, a professor of internal medicine at Wake Forest University School of Medicine and the principal investigator of the study. Helping those most at risk The POINTER trial involved 2111 adults aged 60 to 79 across five locations, who were healthy but at risk for cognitive decline and dementia because of lifestyle factors, including a poor diet, lack of regular exercise or cardiovascular risk. Crucially, the researchers recruited underrepresented groups known to be at high risk for dementia; 31 per cent of participants were from ethnic or minority groups, and 78 per cent had a family history of memory impairment.
