Changing one’s lifestyle is difficult to do, and I think it’s especially challenging if the benefits could be years in the future — specifically doing those things that need to be done now to reduce the decline in cognition that happens as we get older. Two recently published studies have demonstrated how that’s possible. The characteristics of both were a structured program of changes in diet, exercise, learning and remembering, and social interaction with intermittent personal guidance from nutrition and exercise specialists. That regimen was compared with a control group who was provided with the same information but without the personalized assistance.

U.S. Study to Protect Brain Health Through Lifestyle Intervention to Reduce Risk (U.S. POINTER) was adapted for the U.S. based on a Finnish study. The primary outcome was a combination of surveys typically used to measure global cognitive status as well as other health metrics tested before and at six-month intervals for two years. Over 2,000 subjects between 60 to 79 were recruited from five sites throughout the U.S.; subjects were randomly assigned to the structured program or the self-guided program.

After two years, both groups experienced an improvement in the global cognitive status; those in the structured program experienced a greater improvement than the self-guided group. In fact, every sub-group experienced a mean improvement in cognition. That can result in reducing or delaying dementia and Alzheimer’s disease if sustained over the remainder of their lifespan. While these results were great, could there be an even better way to protect your melon? I’ll let you know on Saturday.

What are you prepared to do today?

        Dr. Chet

Reference: AMA. 2025;334(8):681-691. doi:10.1001/jama.2025.12923