The Alzheimer’s Association U.S. Study to Protect Brain Health Through Lifestyle Intervention to Reduce Risk (known as the U.S. POINTER) recently published the findings of a rigorous two-year study in the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA). The results showed that specific healthy lifestyle changes can meaningfully impact brain health in diverse communities across the U.S.

Building on years of previous research

The study included 2,111 participants that tested lifestyle interventions for exercise, cognitive engagement and nutrition. The participants were a diverse population of older adults in their 60s and 70s who were at high risk for cognitive decline and dementia due to a sedentary lifestyle and a suboptimal diet, plus at least two additional criteria related to a family history of memory impairment, cardiometabolic risk, race and ethnicity, older age and sex.

In the U.S., approximately 10% of adults aged 65 and older have dementia and another 22% have mild cognitive impairment. Additionally, the risk of dementia increases with age so it’s imperative to identify ways to prevent or delay onset of the disorder, especially in older adults who are at a higher risk.

“We’ve long studied individual interventions such as diet, socialization and exercise, but this is the first largescale study in the U.S. to combine them in a structured way,” shares Jessica Langbaum, Ph.D., senior director, Banner Alzheimer’s Institute, who wasn’t involved with this particular study. “This study builds on a strong foundation of research and shows that, together, these lifestyle changes can benefit certain aspects of memory and thinking abilities in adults at risk for cognitive decline.”

The results and why they matter

Everyone who took part in the study participated in a lifestyle program. Participants were randomly assigned to complete that program in either a self-guided or structured format. The self-guided group was encouraged to make lifestyle changes that best fit their needs and schedules with study staff providing general encouragement without goal-directed coaching. For the structured group, their program was prescriptive and focused on:

• Improving physical health with 30-35 minutes of moderate-to-intense aerobic activity four times a week, and strength and flexibility exercises twice a week.
• Exercising the mind through a computer-based brain training program three times a week for 30 minutes, plus regular engagement in other intellectually challenging and social activities.
• Healthy eating by adhering to the MIND diet, which emphasizes dark leafy greens, berries, nuts, whole grains, olive oil and fish, and limits sugar and unhealthy fats.
• Regular health monitoring for blood pressure, weight and lab results. 

This research provided a significant finding: cognitive function improved in both groups over the two-year period. The group receiving more structured support showed the greatest benefit. Those participants were able to protect cognition from normal age-related decline for nearly two years, regardless of sex, ethnicity, genetic risk or cardiometabolic health.

“This study shows that non-pharmacological lifestyle changes can positively affect certain aspects of memory and thinking ability,” explains Dr. Langbaum. “The data supports the notion that simple, healthy habits can make a difference. If you want to support your brain health, choose an activity you enjoy and can stick with. Even better, do the activity with others because socialization is important.” Dr. Langbaum noted that the field expects more results from the U.S. POINTER study later this year, including finding out whether there were changes in blood tests and brain imaging scans that measure Alzheimer’s disease pathology in the brain related to Alzheimer’s.

What comes next

Throughout the next four years, the Alzheimer’s Association will continue to make a significant investment to support this important work. The existing trial will be extended to better understand the long-term impact of these lifestyle interventions. Another area of focus will be establishing collaborations with health agencies and health systems that will help turn the trial findings into action for people across the U.S. in a cost-effective manner.

“The next stage of this research is critically important,” says Dr. Langbaum. “Scaling it within communities could unlock the greatest impact – reaching more people in a meaningful way. It would allow individuals across the U.S. to adopt consistent and sustainable healthy habits that would improve and maintain their brain health.”

Research remains crucial to gain a further understanding Alzheimer’s and dementia. Interested in contributing? You’ll find a wide range of active studies on the Alzheimer’s Prevention Registry.