Researchers from Florida Atlantic University’s Charles E. Schmidt College of Medicine underscore how lifestyle interventions can significantly reduce the risk of cognitive decline, offering a hopeful path forward in the fight against Alzheimer’s disease.
As the prevalence of Alzheimer’s disease (AD) continues to rise, researchers from Florida Atlantic University’s Charles E. Schmidt College of Medicine are shedding light on how simple lifestyle changes can dramatically reduce the risk of cognitive decline.
Their findings, published in The American Journal of Medicine, advocate for proactive strategies to fight this growing public health crisis.
With an estimated 7.2 million Americans over age 65 currently living with Alzheimer’s disease — a number projected to nearly double to 13.8 million by 2060 — addressing cognitive decline is becoming increasingly urgent. Notably, up to 45% of dementia risk can be linked to modifiable lifestyle and environmental factors.
“While deaths from cardiovascular disease have declined since 2000, deaths from Alzheimer’s disease have surged by more than 140%,” co-author Charles H. Hennekens, the First Sir Richard Doll Professor of Medicine and Preventive Medicine and senior academic advisor in the Schmidt College of Medicine, said in a news release. “At the same time, it is estimated that up to 45% of dementia risk could be attributed to modifiable lifestyle and environmental factors.”
The research team emphasizes that interventions in lifestyle factors, such as physical activity, diet and social engagement, can yield significant benefits. Echoing results from the groundbreaking POINTER study, which showed that structured, team-based lifestyle interventions could enhance cognitive functions, this commentary provides a blueprint for clinical, public health and policy integration.
These interventions focus on manageable changes: increased physical activity, adherence to Mediterranean and DASH diets, cognitive and social engagement, and professional support. Participants in the POINTER trial exhibited statistically significant improvements in memory, attention and decision-making over two years.
The promising outcomes align with those of the Finnish FINGER trial, which also demonstrated cognitive benefits from multidomain lifestyle approaches.
“The data from both these landmark, large-scale randomized trials demonstrate that lifestyle changes — previously shown to reduce heart disease and cancer — also hold transformative potential for brain health,” Hennekens added.
Biologically, physical activity can enhance brain health by promoting hippocampal growth, improving blood flow and reducing inflammation. Furthermore, healthy diets can lower oxidative stress and enhance insulin sensitivity, preserving brain structure integrity and boosting mental resilience.
The researchers also discussed possible biological mechanisms behind these benefits. For instance, physical activity can enhance brain health by promoting hippocampal growth, improving blood flow and reducing inflammation. Healthy diets — such as the Mediterranean and DASH diets — can decrease oxidative stress, improve insulin sensitivity and reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease. Quitting smoking may help maintain brain structure and protect white matter integrity. Additionally, regular social and cognitive engagement supports neuroplasticity and strengthens mental resilience.
“The implications for clinical practice, public health and government policy are potentially enormous,” added co-author Parvathi Perumareddi, an associate professor of family medicine in the Schmidt College of Medicine.
The researchers propose that clinicians, public health officials and policymakers should leverage these findings to adopt cost-effective, low-risk strategies for preventing dementia and cognitive decline.
The economic implications are also noteworthy, considering the enormously high costs of caregiving and new pharmacologic treatments. Reducing key lifestyle risk factors even marginally each decade could significantly lower the overall burden of cognitive decline. In 2024 alone, nearly 12 million family members and unpaid caregivers logged an estimated 19.2 billion hours of care, equivalent to a societal cost exceeding $413 billion.
With tangible community-based solutions potentially easing the long-term burden on families and the economy, Hennekens concluded by emphasizing the importance of these lifestyle interventions.
“While more research is needed, the current totality of evidence supports a clear path forward: invest in lifestyle-based strategies to protect brain health,” Hennekens added. “Doing so will not only benefit individuals at risk but also serve as a powerful tool for reducing national and global healthcare burdens related to cognitive decline.”
Source: Florida Atlantic University