The Science Behind Dementia Prevention

The FINGER Study: Ngandu, Kivipelto, et al. Lancet 2015.

After two years of lifestyle change (specifically diet, exercise, cognitive training, vascular risk monitoring) in the FINGER study, participants’ cognitive skills improved. Risk for dementia dropped by 30%.

Beginning in 2018, FINGERS trials had been planned in several European countries, the United States, China, Singapore and Australia. Similar efforts are being planned in Central and South America, Canada, India, Japan, South Korea and Malaysia.

The United States has recently completed the POINTER trial, modeled after the FINGER study. Results are pending.

Effect of Personalized Risk-Reduction Strategies on Cognition and Dementia Risk Profile Among Older Adults. The SMARRT Randomized Clinical Trial. Kristine Yaffe, MD; Eric Vittinghoff, PhD; Sascha Dublin, MD, PhD, 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. Dean Ornish, MD; Catherine Madison, MD; Miia Kivipelto, MD; et al.