Slowing cognitive decline during the aging process is possible, according to a comprehensive study. Here's how you can achieve that:

Slowing cognitive decline during the aging process is possible, according to a comprehensive study. Here's how you can achieve that:

In a groundbreaking study, the U.S. POINTER (Preventing Overweight Using Novel Dietary Strategies) trial has demonstrated that moderate lifestyle changes can significantly delay cognitive aging and improve brain health in older adults at risk for dementia.

The study, which included cognitively healthy individuals aged 60 to 79 who were sedentary and at risk due to health issues such as prediabetes and borderline high blood pressure, aimed to change participants' perceptions of their health and encourage decisions that align with this new outlook.

Over a two-year period, older adults at risk for cognitive decline who followed the interventions—including dietary modifications, exercise, socialization, and health monitoring—showed improved global cognition. Greater benefits were seen in those who participated in a structured lifestyle program compared to a self-guided approach.

Key findings from the U.S. POINTER randomized clinical trial include:

• Both structured and self-guided multidomain lifestyle interventions improved cognition in older adults at risk for dementia.
• The structured intervention, which involved greater intensity, accountability, clinician support, and prescribed activity goals, produced significantly larger improvements in global cognitive function than the self-guided intervention.
• These cognitive improvements were observed regardless of sex, ethnicity, genetic risk factors, or baseline heart health.
• The structured group attended many facilitated peer team meetings and had regular review of health metrics and goal setting, while the self-guided group had fewer meetings and encouragement without goal-directed coaching.
• Cognitive gains in the structured group translated to moving average performers from the 50th to nearly the 70th percentile in cognitive function over two years, indicating a substantial shift in cognitive trajectory.

This study is part of a global research effort inspired by the Finnish FINGER trial, confirming that accessible and sustainable lifestyle modifications targeting multiple factors can protect brain health and potentially reduce dementia risk.

One participant, Phyllis Jones, at 62, felt trapped in darkness due to her mother's death, pandemic stress, and a toxic work environment, which led to a medical leave and worsening depression. Her son, at 33, told her that he didn't think he would have to be her caregiver at that stage in her life. Jones found solace in the US POINTER study, where she met her best friend, Patty Kelly, at 81, who will accompany her to the Alzheimer's conference in Toronto.

The US POINTER study collected data on exercise, brain training, MIND diet score, attendance at team meetings, sleep data, blood biomarkers, brain scans, and other variables. The two-year results of the $50 million study, funded by the Alzheimer's Association, were simultaneously presented at the 2025 Alzheimer's Association International Conference in Toronto and published in the journal JAMA.

However, the US POINTER study has limitations, such as the potential for the practice effect. As the study progressed, researchers reduced check-ins to twice a month, then once a month. The study was not designed to provide the more immersive lifestyle interventions needed for people with early stages of Alzheimer's.

Nevertheless, the U.S. POINTER study provides strong clinical trial evidence that moderate, multidomain lifestyle changes are an effective strategy to delay cognitive decline and improve brain health in older adults at risk.

1. The study, part of a global research effort, demonstrates that moderate lifestyle changes can significantly enhance brain health and potentially reduce dementia risk.
2. The U.S. POINTER trial aims to change participants' perceptions of their health, encouraging decisions that align with a new outlook on wellness.
3. The research focuses on cognitively healthy individuals aged 60 to 79 who are sedentary and at risk due to health issues.
4. The study spans a two-year period, during which participants undergo interventions such as dietary modifications, exercise, socialization, and health monitoring.
5. Greater cognitive benefits were observed in those who followed a structured lifestyle program compared to a self-guided approach.
6. Both structured and self-guided interventions improved cognitive function in older adults at risk for dementia, regardless of sex, ethnicity, genetic risk factors, or baseline heart health.
7. The structured group attended many facilitated peer team meetings and had regular review of health metrics and goal setting.
8. Cognitive gains in the structured group were significant: average performers moved from the 50th to nearly the 7th percentile in cognitive function over two years.
9. The study confirm findings similar to the Finnish FINGER trial, suggesting that accessible and sustainable lifestyle modifications targeting multiple factors can protect brain health.
10. One participant, Phyllis Jones, found solace in the US POINTER study, which helped her combat depression and connect with others.
11. Data collected in the study includes exercise, brain training, MIND diet score, attendance at team meetings, sleep data, blood biomarkers, brain scans, and other variables.
12. The study's findings were presented at the 2025 Alzheimer's Association International Conference in Toronto and published in the journal JAMA.
13. Despite limitations such as the potential for the practice effect, the U.S. POINTER study provides strong clinical trial evidence that moderate, multidomain lifestyle changes can delay cognitive decline and improve brain health in older adults at risk.
14. The study does not provide immersive lifestyle interventions needed for people with early stages of Alzheimer's.
15. Multiple factors impacting health and wellness addressed in the study include chronic diseases like Alzheimer's, migraines, cardiovascular health, autoimmune disorders, and cancer.
16. Other aspects of health touched upon in the study include digestive health, eye health, hearing, skin care, and neurological disorders.
17. The study's findings emphasize the importance of nutrition, fitness, and education in maintaining overall health and wellness, especially in the context of job-search, career-development, skills-training, and personal growth.

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