By:
Kim Butrum, MS, RN, GNP
Senior Vice President, Clinical Services
At the recent Alzheimer’s Association International Conference in Toronto, the results were presented of the US Pointer study. This was a follow up to the previous worldwide FINGER study that had found the benefit of lifestyle modifications in preventing the onset and decline in Alzheimer’s Disease.
POINTER was done at 5 sites in the US: northern California, Chicagoland, New England/Rhode Island, Houston and North Carolina. The goal of the Pointer study was to understand if lifestyle interventions could protect brain health and reduce risk of dementia in a large, diverse population of older adults in the US and whether varying levels of structure and support lead to different outcomes. Participants were all at high risk for cognitive decline and were randomized to two groups: a structured higher intensity lifestyle program or a self- guided lower intensity lifestyle program and then were followed for 2 years.
Findings demonstrated that a multidomain lifestyle approach could improve cognitive outcomes in older adults at risk of cognitive decline. Those in the structured program improved more, but the fact that both groups improved was significant. Carriers of the ApoE gene also improved which was encouraging. Based on the Pointer study if you are concerned about your risk of developing Alzheimer’s Disease or have any risk factors such as a sedentary lifestyle of a genetic risk, you can reduce your risk by the following lifestyle interventions:
- Do 30 minutes of moderate to intense aerobic exercise 4 times a week, with 2 days of strength /flexibility exercises.
- Follow the MIND diet. This diet focuses on dark, leafy greens, berries, nuts, whole grains, olive oil and fish and limits sugar and unhealthy fats.
- Get cognitive and social stimulation. While these study participants engaged in 30 minutes of computer- based brain training and other intellectually and socially engaging activities, it has been found that any meaningful, novel activities with social engagement are beneficial.
- Health monitoring and cardiovascular risk management: Make sure you are getting regular medical follow up with labs and treating high blood pressure, obesity and other heart or vascular risk factors.
The FINGER study reinforced what we have seen with our NEXUS program and now with the US Pointer study there is further evidence.
Concerned about someone who may be at risk for Alzheimer’s?
