Alzheimer’s disease, characterised by a continuous decline in thinking, behavioural and social skills, is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder which affects up to 70% of all people with dementia. Lifestyle modifications have recently gained considerable attention due to growing evidence that they help to slow cognitive decline and potentially lower the risk of Alzheimer’s dementia. To determine the impact of lifestyle factors on life expectancy lived with and without Alzheimer’s dementia, a total of 2,449 older adults aged above 65 years participated in a prospective population-based cohort study. The researchers developed a healthy lifestyle score based on 5 modifiable lifestyle factors including a diet for brain health (Mediterranean-DASH Diet Intervention for Neurodegenerative Delay—MIND diet score in upper 40% of cohort distribution), late life cognitive activities (composite score in upper 40%), moderate or vigorous physical activity (above 150 minutes/week), no smoking, and light to moderate alcohol consumption (women 1-15 g/day; men 1-30 g/day). The study showed that adherence to a healthy lifestyle was associated with a prolonged life expectancy and fewer years lived with Alzheimer’s dementia across the lifespan. The promising findings presented in this study may help health professionals, policymakers, and stakeholders to plan the future healthcare services, especially in preventing Alzheimer’s dementia.

Reference

 Dhana K, et al. BMJ. 2022;377:e068390.