Lifestyle adjustments in four areas could potentially slow down mental decay, according to recent findings on brain aging.
In a groundbreaking study, the U.S. POINTER trial has demonstrated that a structured multidimensional lifestyle program can significantly improve cognitive health in older adults at risk of Alzheimer's disease and related dementias.
The program, which targeted multiple risk factors for dementia without the use of medications, focused on five key components: physical exercise, nutrition, regular cognitive challenges, social engagement, and health monitoring. The U.S. POINTER trial aimed to maintain and improve cardiovascular health, support brain health, stimulate mental function, promote emotional well-being, and manage underlying risk factors like hypertension and cholesterol.
The trial compared two delivery methods over two years: a structured, more intensive and supported program, and a lower-intensity, self-guided format. Both groups showed cognitive improvements, but participants in the structured intervention with more accountability and support exhibited significantly greater gains in global cognition, protecting against normal age-related cognitive decline.
The structured program included 38 facilitated peer team meetings over two years, providing dedicated coaching and physician follow-up, which was not available in the self-guided program. The self-directed group "crucially lacked the dedicated coaching team and physician follow-up afforded to the structured intervention group," according to Ryan Arnold, MD.
The findings of the U.S. POINTER study affirm the core functional and integrative medicine principle of simultaneously addressing multiple contributing factors to health and disease. John Enwere stated that the results of the U.S. POINTER study affirm that structure and coaching are necessary. Ryan Arnold noted that a team-based approach is likely most beneficial for adherence to more complex components of the program.
U.S. POINTER's interventions, including cognitive training at home and support for following a MIND diet, may be adapted for residents at skilled nursing facilities. The trial's structured arm included stretching exercises in the physical exercise interventions, and its guideline-based health coaching involved appointments with a medical advisor every six months.
The extra benefit of the structured program was observed regardless of sex, ethnicity, genetic risk, or cardiometabolic health. The trial involved 2,111 older people considered at risk of dementia, with benefits consistent across diverse populations. The results highlight the applicability and scalability of this multidomain lifestyle program as a public health approach to protect brain health and reduce dementia risk.
Arnold believes in a strong support and profound optimism for treating Alzheimer's from a non-pharmaceutical angle. U.S. POINTER demonstrates that its multimodal approach can work in patients' family homes with caregivers, and its interventions may be adapted for various settings. The trial's results reinforce the importance of structured, supportive programs in promoting cognitive health and reducing the risk of dementia.
- The U.S. POINTER trial's findings suggest that a structured multidimensional lifestyle program, focusing on nutrition, physical exercise, cognitive challenges, social engagement, and health monitoring, can improve cognitive health in older adults at risk of Alzheimer's disease and related dementias.
- The study's results indicate that by maintaining and improving cardiovascular health, supporting brain health, stimulating mental function, promoting emotional well-being, and managing underlying risk factors, it is possible to protect against normal age-related cognitive decline.
- Both the structured and self-guided programs showed cognitive improvements, but the structured intervention with more accountability and support led to significantly greater gains in global cognition.
- The structured program included facilitated peer team meetings, dedicated coaching, and physician follow-up, which were not available in the self-guided program.
- The U.S. POINTER study's results affirm the principle of addressing multiple contributing factors to health and disease simultaneously, as is practiced in functional and integrative medicine.
- With cognitive training at home and support for following a MIND diet, U.S. POINTER's interventions might be adapted for residents at skilled nursing facilities.
- The benefits of the structured program were observed regardless of sex, ethnicity, genetic risk, or cardiometabolic health, indicating its applicability and scalability as a public health approach to protect brain health and reduce dementia risk.
