Background
Over the past 20 years, medicine has made incredible advances, and those of us in practice can attest to the incredible ways in which we can extend the life of our patients, beyond what we could have ever anticipated in medical school. But with longer lives comes the spectrum of cognitive decline and neurodegenerative diseases, namely dementia—an umbrella term for a number of neurodegenerative diseases, including mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and Alzheimer’s disease (AD). In early June, a rare, albeit small (n=51), randomized clinical trial was published in Alzheimer’s Research & Therapy that determined the effectiveness of lifestyle changes on the progression of MCI and AD, and I am inspired by the findings. It is estimated that 40% of global dementia cases are related to 12 modifiable risk factors. (Many of which also impact heart disease. Remember, what affects the heart affects the brain!). Several previous, small studies have shown the effectiveness of intensive lifestyle changes on the progression of MCI and early AD, but none had a control group nor were they randomized. That is what sets this study apart. What did the study address? Over the course of 20 weeks, participants and their spouses or study partners adapted the following lifestyle changes:
In the study, all interventions were supported via 4-hour Zoom sessions three times a week for the participant and spouse or study partner. The study aimed to determine if:
What did they find?
Interestingly, in one of the biomarkers, the degree of change was similar to that affected by the clinical trials for new intravenous medications! My takeaway This study provides yet another reason for us to eat real food, move more, breathe better and connect more—all of which have multiple benefits to our health and wellbeing. Let’s continue to work together on the path toward better health and wellness. Don’t forget, my concierge members also have access to the Concierge Choice Physicians Motivated Mondays program which provides a year’s worth of mini-resolutions focused on the prevention of cognitive decline through lifestyle changes. To sign up for the weekly emails, please contact CCP’s Erica Rios: [email protected] Click here to visit past editions of Motivated Mondays. Study source: Ornish, D., Madison, C., Kivipelto, M. et al. Effects of intensive lifestyle changes on the progression of mild cognitive impairment or early dementia due to Alzheimer’s disease: a randomized, controlled clinical trial. Alz Res Therapy 16, 122 (2024). https://doi.org/10.1186/s13195-024-01482-z
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AuthorJohn B. Johnson, MD is a primary care specialist with Batesville Medical Specialties Archives
October 2024
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