Can Alzheimer's Disease be Prevented?
The NIA is funding several clinical trials to determine whether treating different aspects of diabetes might affect AD development or progression. For example, the NIA is supporting clinical trials to evaluate the effect of a drug called rosiglitazone on changes in cognitive abilities in people with mild cognitive impairment (MCI, a condition in which a person has memory problems but not other AD problems; this condition often progresses to AD). Rosiglitazone makes cells more sensitive to insulin. The NIA is also supporting a study that is evaluating cognitive and brain structure changes using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). This study, called ACCORD-MIND (Memory in Diabetes) has been added to the ongoing National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute
ACCORD (Action to Control Cardiovascular Risk in Diabetes) clinical trial. ACCORD is evaluating a variety of approaches for managing glucose, blood pressure, and blood lipids.
Examining social engagement and intellectually stimulating activities. Findings from studies of animals, nursing home residents, and older people living in the community have suggested a link between social engagement and cognitive abilities. Having lots of friends and acquaintances and participating in many social
activities is associated with reduced cognitive decline and decreased risk of dementia in older adults. In the NIA-funded Chicago Health and Aging Project, a high level of social engagement was associated with a significant reduction in cognitive decline.
Studies also have shown that keeping the brain active is associated with reduced AD risk. In the Religious Orders Study, for example, investigators periodically asked more than 700 participants
to describe the amount of time they spent in seven activities that involve significant information processing. These activities included listening to the radio, reading newspapers, playing puzzle
games, and going to museums. After following the participants for 4 years, investigators found that the risk of developing AD was 47 percent lower, on average, for those who did the activities most frequently than for those who did them least frequently. Other studies have shown similar results. In addition, a growing body of research,
including other findings from the Religious Orders Study, suggests that, even in the presence of AD plaques, the more formal education a person has, the better his or her memory and learning ability.
In this article
- Introduction
- Preventing a Complex Disease Like AD is a Challenge
- AD Risk Factors We Can’t Control
- The Search for AD Prevention Strategies
- The Search for Other Clues That May Contribute to Prevention Strategies
- What Can You Do?
- A Final Word of Caution
- For More Information
The Search for AD Prevention Strategies continued...
The NIA is funding several clinical trials to determine whether treating different aspects of diabetes might affect AD development or progression. For example, the NIA is supporting clinical trials to evaluate the effect of a drug called rosiglitazone on changes in cognitive abilities in people with mild cognitive impairment (MCI, a condition in which a person has memory problems but not other AD problems; this condition often progresses to AD). Rosiglitazone makes cells more sensitive to insulin. The NIA is also supporting a study that is evaluating cognitive and brain structure changes using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). This study, called ACCORD-MIND (Memory in Diabetes) has been added to the ongoing National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute
ACCORD (Action to Control Cardiovascular Risk in Diabetes) clinical trial. ACCORD is evaluating a variety of approaches for managing glucose, blood pressure, and blood lipids.
Examining social engagement and intellectually stimulating activities. Findings from studies of animals, nursing home residents, and older people living in the community have suggested a link between social engagement and cognitive abilities. Having lots of friends and acquaintances and participating in many social
activities is associated with reduced cognitive decline and decreased risk of dementia in older adults. In the NIA-funded Chicago Health and Aging Project, a high level of social engagement was associated with a significant reduction in cognitive decline.
Studies also have shown that keeping the brain active is associated with reduced AD risk. In the Religious Orders Study, for example, investigators periodically asked more than 700 participants
to describe the amount of time they spent in seven activities that involve significant information processing. These activities included listening to the radio, reading newspapers, playing puzzle
games, and going to museums. After following the participants for 4 years, investigators found that the risk of developing AD was 47 percent lower, on average, for those who did the activities most frequently than for those who did them least frequently. Other studies have shown similar results. In addition, a growing body of research,
including other findings from the Religious Orders Study, suggests that, even in the presence of AD plaques, the more formal education a person has, the better his or her memory and learning ability.
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