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3w ago

Structured Lifestyle Program Outperforms Self-Guided Approach in Slowing Cognitive Aging

The Alzheimer’s Association is preparing community programs following US POINTER findings that structured, coach-led lifestyle changes boost cognition more than self-guided efforts.

The final preparation of a healthy salad and at the end the woman pours olive oil.

Overview

  • Participants in the US POINTER trial who followed a coach-led regimen of moderate-to-high intensity exercise, MIND diet adherence, cognitive challenges and social activities saw global cognitive improvements equivalent to being up to two years younger.
  • Those in the self-guided arm also showed cognitive gains but at a significantly lower rate, with structured participants improving by 0.24 standard deviations per year versus 0.21 in the unguided group.
  • A separate 10-year study found older adults aged 70 to 79 who maintained or increased daily walking habits experienced notable boosts in processing speed and executive function, especially among carriers of the APOE4 gene variant.
  • The Alzheimer’s Association is developing community-based programs to translate these evidence-backed protocols into accessible interventions for diverse populations.
  • Researchers are extending follow-up and fine-tuning exercise and walking protocols to pinpoint optimal regimens for specific genetic and demographic subgroups.