Lifestyle Intervention Boosts Cognition in Older Adults

A lifestyle program involving exercise, healthy eating, cognitive training, and social engagement helped older adults at risk of dementia improve their memory and thinking. The associated study was published in The Lancet. Latin America has a high burden of dementia. However, while studies from other regions suggest that multidomain lifestyle interventions can delay cognitive decline, Latin American populations remain underrepresented in dementia prevention trials. In the current study, researchers investigated whether a culturally adapted multidomain lifestyle intervention could improve cognitive function and help prevent cognitive decline. They recruited 1,065 adults aged 60 to 77 years who were at high risk of dementia and had suboptimal cognitive performance for a single-blind, randomized clinical trial across 11 countries. Participants were randomly assigned to receive either a two-year systematic lifestyle intervention or a flexible lifestyle intervention. The systematic lifestyle intervention was adapted for each country to account for local culture, climate, available foods, access to technology, and participant preferences. Exercise options included activities such as salsa and tango, while nutrition guidance incorporated foods such as avocado, quinoa, açaí, and chia. Study materials were also translated and adapted for local communities. While participants in the systematic intervention group received continuous coaching and support, those in the flexible intervention group received periodic health education and broad lifestyle recommendations, including four group meetings, but no ongoing coaching or supervision. After two years, participants in the systematic intervention group experienced a 55% greater improvement in global cognition compared with those in the flexible intervention group. They also experienced significantly greater improvements in memory, executive function, and processing speed. "The LatAm-FINGERS results add to U.S. POINTER findings by extending the evidence to Latin America and strengthening the case that these behavioral and lifestyle interventions can be adapted for diverse populations and communities worldwide," said study author Heather M. Snyder, Ph.D., Alzheimer's Association senior vice president of medical and scientific relations, in a press release. "A key message from this study is that structure and social support matter. Addressing multiple lifestyle factors can positively impact brain health and may eventually be combined with emerging drug therapies to reduce cognitive decline and dementia risk,' she added. Sources: Science Daily, The Lancet