UC Davis Participates in Historical Study to Determine Whether Lifestyle Changes Can Prevent Cognitive Decline



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The UC Davis Alzheimer's Disease Center and the Department of Public Health Sciences received $ 6 million to participate in a landmark study that will determine if multiple lifestyle changes may protect against memory changes and thought of the elderly.

Adults at risk of developing Alzheimer's disease and other forms of dementia are invited to participate in the US POINTER historical study. Adults at risk of developing Alzheimer's disease and other forms of dementia are invited to participate in the US POINTER historical study.

Adults at risk for Alzheimer's disease and other forms of dementia are invited to participate in the study. The UC Davis site plans to enroll 400 adults at risk over the next 18 months.

The US study to protect brain health through an intervention to reduce lifestyle risks (US POINTER) is sponsored by the Alzheimer's Association. This will include examining whether exercise, diet, mentally stimulating tasks and regular medical monitoring can improve brain health.

UC Davis Health is one of five sites involved in the national study, which includes adults aged 60 to 79 years with a family history of memory problems.

US POINTER is the first large-scale effort to test whether multiple lifestyle changes can prevent cognitive decline. We are delighted to be the second site of this historic essay. "

Rachel Whitmer, Professor of Public Health Sciences and Principal Investigator of the Study

What we know about brain health

It is estimated that 5.7 million Americans of all ages are living with Alzheimer's disease and with other forms of dementia, which have no cure. The disease affects about 50 million people worldwide and this number is expected to double every 20 years.

About one-third of Alzheimer's disease cases worldwide are related to physical inactivity, obesity, hypertension, diabetes, smoking, depression and stroke. lack of education about risk factors.

Researchers believe that it is a priority to find effective approaches that can slow down the progression, if not the reverse, of cognitive decline in its infancy.

"Recent research is highlighting the possibility of altering lifestyle by slowing cognitive decline," said Whitmer, also badociate director of UC Davis' Center for Alzheimer's Disease.

In fact, a two-year study of elderly people at risk in Finland is the basis of the US study POINTER. This research revealed that maintaining a healthy diet, participating in physical, social and cognitive activities and managing risk factors for heart disease improved or maintained cognitive functioning.

The purpose of the US POINTER study is to expand this work to determine whether lifestyle modifications can also protect the brain health of various groups of people around the world.

According to Sarah Farias, professor of neurology and principal co-investigator at UC Davis, the multi-faceted approach is more promising than any currently available medications.

About the US POINTER study

People participating in the US POINTER study will be encouraged to include more physical and cognitive activities and a healthier diet in their lives. They will also receive regular monitoring of blood pressure and other health measures.

A group will design and implement a lifestyle program that best fits their own needs and schedules. The other group will follow a specific program including weekly activities designed to promote health.

"We hope to show that older people are able to improve the health of their brains by making lifestyle changes," Farias said.

Source:

University of California – Davis Health

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