What are the methods for Alzheimer's disease prophylaxis (Alzheimer's disease prevention)?

From the Guidelines

To prevent Alzheimer's disease, a multimodal intervention approach that includes a healthy diet, physical exercise, mental and social stimulation, and control of comorbidities is recommended, as it has been shown to reduce the incidence of dementia by up to 60% in individuals who adhere to 4 or all 5 of these healthy behaviors 1.

Key Lifestyle Modifications

• Regular physical exercise, such as weekly moderate or vigorous physical exercise, to improve blood flow and stimulate nerve cell growth
• A brain-healthy diet, such as a Mediterranean-style diet rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, fish, and olive oil, to provide antioxidants and anti-inflammatory compounds
• Maintaining cognitive engagement through activities like reading, puzzles, learning new skills, or playing musical instruments to build cognitive reserve
• Social interaction to reduce isolation and increase dementia risk
• Managing cardiovascular risk factors by controlling blood pressure (target below 130/80 mmHg), cholesterol, and blood sugar to protect brain vessels
• Quality sleep (7-8 hours nightly) to allow the brain to clear waste proteins
• Avoiding smoking and limiting alcohol consumption to reduce risk

Additional Recommendations

• Aim to maintain systolic blood pressure of 130 mm Hg or less in midlife from around 40 years
• Encourage use of hearing aids for hearing loss and reduce hearing loss by protecting ears from excessive noise exposure
• Reduce exposure to air pollution and second-hand tobacco smoke
• Prevent head injury
• Limit alcohol use
• Avoid smoking uptake and support smoking cessation
• Provide all children with primary and secondary education
• Reduce obesity and the linked condition of diabetes
• Sustain midlife and possibly later-life physical activity These approaches work by maintaining vascular health, reducing inflammation, promoting neuroplasticity, and potentially slowing the accumulation of abnormal proteins in the brain, as supported by recent studies 1.

From the Research

Methods for Alzheimer's Disease Prophylaxis

The following methods are suggested for the prevention of Alzheimer's disease:

• Lifestyle interventions, including education, social engagement, cognitive stimulation, exercise, and diet 2
• Dietary patterns, such as the Mediterranean or MIND diet, which have shown promise in reducing the risk of Alzheimer's disease 3
• Physical exercise, including aerobic and resistance training, which has been shown to improve cognitive function and reduce the risk of Alzheimer's disease 4
• Primary prevention recommendations, including neurovascular risk management, physical activity, sleep, nutrition, social isolation, and cognitive stimulation 5
• Dietary factors, such as:
  • High consumption of fats from fish, vegetable oils, nonstarchy vegetables, and low glycemic index fruits 6
  • Low consumption of foods with added sugars 6
  • Moderate wine intake 6

Key Components of Alzheimer's Disease Prophylaxis

The key components of Alzheimer's disease prophylaxis include:

• Lifestyle modifications, such as exercise and diet, which can reduce the risk of cognitive decline 2, 3, 4
• Management of risk factors, such as neurovascular risk management and social isolation 5
• Dietary patterns, which can provide protective effects against cognitive decline and dementia 3, 6

Benefits of Alzheimer's Disease Prophylaxis

The benefits of Alzheimer's disease prophylaxis include:

• Reduced risk of cognitive decline and dementia 2, 3, 4, 5, 6
• Improved cognitive function and brain health 4
• Delayed onset of Alzheimer's disease and related dementias 2, 3, 4, 5, 6