Alzheimer’s prevention: A Proactive Approach

An estimated 7.2 million Americans over age 65 currently live with Alzheimer’s disease (AD). That number is expected too nearly double to 13.8 million by 2060. These increases reflect more than demographic shifts; thay point to a growing public health crisis that requires a new, proactive approach. While chronological age is the strongest known risk factor for cognitive decline, losing cognitive function isn’t an inevitable part of aging.

As AD and other forms of cognitive decline continue to rise at an alarming rate, researchers from Florida Atlantic University’s Charles E. Schmidt College of Medicine highlight a powerful and untapped path to prevention.

In a commentary published in The American Journal of medicine, the researchers urge clinicians, public health professionals, and policymakers to implement coordinated efforts to support lifestyle-based interventions that can definitely help reduce the growing burden of cognitive decline in the United States and worldwide.

While deaths from cardiovascular disease have declined since 2000, deaths from Alzheimer’s disease have surged by more than 140%.At the same time, it is estimated that up to 45% of dementia risk coudl be attributed to modifiable lifestyle and environmental factors.

Charles H. Hennekens, M.D., FACPM, FACC, co-author, the First Sir Richard Doll Professor of Medicine and Preventive Medicine, and senior academic advisor, schmidt College of Medicine

lifestyle risk factors like physical inactivity, poor diet, obesity, alcohol use, and conditions such as hypertension, diabetes, depression, and social or intellectual isolation are believed to contribute to cognitive decline. The authors point out that the same therapeutic lifestyle changes proven effective for reducing risks of cardiovascular and other major diseases may also help reduce cognitive decline – perhaps with additive effects when multiple risk factors are present.

The commentary highlights the recently published results from POINTER, the first large-scale U.S.-based randomized trial to test whether intensive lifestyle changes can improve cognitive outcomes in older adults.