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Rachel V Thomas

Healthy Lifestyle Changes Improve Memory, Thinking In Older Adults At Dementia Risk: The Lancet

More than 57 million people worldwide are living with <a href="https://www.healthandme.com/health/dementia">dementia</a>, a number expected to triple to over 152 million by 2050. While there is still no cure, growing evidence suggests that healthy lifestyle changes can help improve brain health and preserve cognitive function in older adults at risk of dementia.

A major study published in The Lancet suggests that adopting healthy lifestyle habits can significantly improve memory and thinking skills in older adults at risk of dementia. 

The study found that a culturally adapted, structured lifestyle program delivered across 11 Latin American countries produced meaningful improvements in cognitive function over two years. Participants in the intensive program showed 55 per cent greater improvement in overall cognition than those who received general health advice. 

Lead author Lucia Crivelli, principal investigator at Fleni, a neurological institute in Buenos Aires, Argentina, said culturally adapted lifestyle interventions can be successfully implemented across diverse communities and "deliver cognitive benefits" for people at risk of dementia. 

"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," added Heather M. Snyder, senior vice president of medical and scientific relations at the Alzheimer's Association.

Also read: <a href="https://www.healthandme.com/health-wellness/osteoporosis-affects-nearly-20-of-us-women-aged-50-why-screening-is-key-article-155085100" data-type="tilCustomLink">Osteoporosis Affects Nearly 20% Of US Women Aged 50+: Why Screening Is Key</a>

The clinical trial enrolled 1,065 adults aged 60 to 77 years at increased risk of cognitive decline across 12 sites in Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, the Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Mexico, Peru and Uruguay. 

Participants were randomly assigned to one of two groups. The Systematic Lifestyle Intervention (SLI) group received ongoing coaching, supervised exercise, personalized nutrition counselling, cognitive training and regular monitoring of cardiovascular risk factors. The Flexible Lifestyle Intervention (FLI) group received general lifestyle recommendations through periodic health education sessions without continuous coaching or supervision. 

The structured program combined supervised exercise, a brain-healthy MIND diet, computer-based cognitive training, regular monitoring of blood pressure, blood sugar and weight, and social engagement activities designed to encourage accountability and interaction.

To improve participation, the intervention was adapted to local cultures. Exercise sessions incorporated familiar activities such as salsa and tango, while nutrition counselling focused on regionally available foods including avocado, quinoa, açaí, chia seeds, pumpkin seeds and aguaymanto. 

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After two years, participants in the structured intervention experienced: 

<ul><li>55 per cent greater improvement in overall cognitive performance than those in the flexible intervention group. </li></ul><ul><li>The largest gains in memory. </li></ul><ul><li>Significant improvements in executive function, including planning and decision-making. </li></ul><ul><li>Faster processing speed. </li></ul>

The cognitive benefits were consistent regardless of participants' age, education level, ethnicity or genetic risk for <a href="https://www.healthandme.com/health/alzheimers-disease">Alzheimer's disease</a>.

The authors noted that while the program improved performance on cognitive tests, it did not determine whether the intervention prevents dementia. They said longer-term follow-up is needed to establish whether these cognitive improvements ultimately reduce the risk of developing the disease. 

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Dementia is an umbrella term used to describe a significant decline in mental function that is serious enough to affect everyday life. It commonly impacts memory, thinking, and reasoning skills. Dementia itself is not a single disease but a collection of symptoms caused by underlying conditions such as Alzheimer’s disease or vascular <a href="https://www.healthandme.com/health/dementia">dementia</a>.

<ul><li>memory problems, </li><li>confusion, </li><li>difficulty finding words, </li><li>changes in mood or behavior, </li><li>trouble completing familiar tasks. </li></ul>

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More than 57 million people worldwide are living with dementia, a number expected to triple to over 152 million by 2050. While there is still no cure, growing evidence suggests that healthy lifestyle changes can help improve brain health and preserve cognitive function in older adults at risk of dementia. A major study published in The Lancet suggests that adopting healthy lifestyle habits can significantly improve memory and thinking skills in older adults at risk of dementia. The study found that a culturally adapted, structured lifestyle program delivered across 11 Latin American countries produced meaningful improvements in cognitive function over two years. Participants in the intensive program showed 55 per cent greater improvement in overall cognition than those who received general health advice. Lead author Lucia Crivelli, principal investigator at Fleni, a neurological institute in Buenos Aires, Argentina, said culturally adapted lifestyle interventions can be successfully implemented across diverse communities and "deliver cognitive benefits" for people at risk of dementia. "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," added Heather M. Snyder, senior vice president of medical and scientific relations at the Alzheimer's Association.What Did The Study Find? Also read: Osteoporosis Affects Nearly 20% Of US Women Aged 50+: Why Screening Is KeyThe clinical trial enrolled 1,065 adults aged 60 to 77 years at increased risk of cognitive decline across 12 sites in Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, the Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Mexico, Peru and Uruguay. Participants were randomly assigned to one of two groups. The Systematic Lifestyle Intervention (SLI) group received ongoing coaching, supervised exercise, personalized nutrition counselling, cognitive training and regular monitoring of cardiovascular risk factors. The Flexible Lifestyle Intervention (FLI) group received general lifestyle recommendations through periodic health education sessions without continuous coaching or supervision. The structured program combined supervised exercise, a brain-healthy MIND diet, computer-based cognitive training, regular monitoring of blood pressure, blood sugar and weight, and social engagement activities designed to encourage accountability and interaction. To improve participation, the intervention was adapted to local cultures. Exercise sessions incorporated familiar activities such as salsa and tango, while nutrition counselling focused on regionally available foods including avocado, quinoa, açaí, chia seeds, pumpkin seeds and aguaymanto. Read More: Study Decodes Why COVID Survivors Continue To Suffer Vision ProblemsAfter two years, participants in the structured intervention experienced: 55 per cent greater improvement in overall cognitive performance than those in the flexible intervention group.  The largest gains in memory.  Significant improvements in executive function, including planning and decision-making.  Faster processing speed.  The cognitive benefits were consistent regardless of participants' age, education level, ethnicity or genetic risk for Alzheimer's disease. The authors noted that while the program improved performance on cognitive tests, it did not determine whether the intervention prevents dementia. They said longer-term follow-up is needed to establish whether these cognitive improvements ultimately reduce the risk of developing the disease.    What Is Dementia?Dementia is an umbrella term used to describe a significant decline in mental function that is serious enough to affect everyday life. It commonly impacts memory, thinking, and reasoning skills. Dementia itself is not a single disease but a collection of symptoms caused by underlying conditions such as Alzheimer’s disease or vascular dementia. Common signs include memory problems, confusion, difficulty finding words, changes in mood or behavior, trouble completing familiar tasks. 

healthy lifestyle changes improve memory, thinking in older adults at dementia risk: the lancet

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