Structured Lifestyle Changes Slow Cognitive Decline

The US POINTER clinical trial has demonstrated that structured lifestyle interventions—including regular exercise, healthy diets, cognitive training, social engagement, and cardiovascular health monitoring—can significantly slow cognitive decline and improve memory in older adults at risk for dementia and Alzheimer's disease. Participants in facilitator-led programs performed cognitively at a level one to two years younger than their actual age, outperforming those making self-guided changes. Both structured and self-guided interventions provided cognitive benefits, with structured programs showing greater improvements. Key lifestyle factors included daily walking, Mediterranean or MIND diets, and consistent social and cognitive engagement. The findings, presented at the Alzheimer's Association International Conference, suggest that accessible lifestyle modifications can help protect brain health in diverse populations. Experts are calling these results a turning point in dementia prevention research.