In a study of 172 participants, personalized health and lifestyle interventions led to significant improvements in cognition and overall quality of life in older adults at risk for Alzheimer's disease. These interventions, which targeted factors such as physical inactivity, uncontrolled diabetes, and hypertension, showed promising results even in the face of the challenges of the pandemic.

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The study, conducted by UC San Francisco and Kaiser Permanente Washington, compared participants who received personal coaching with participants who did not receive coaching. Those who took advantage of coaching showed significant improvement in cognitive testing, risk factors and quality of life. This approach, known as SMARRT (Systematic Multi-domain Alzheimer's Risk Reduction Trial), differs from previous studies in that it offers tailored coaching tailored to participants' individual risk profile and preferences.

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Participants aged 70 to 89 years with at least two risk factors for dementia, such as lack of exercise or uncontrolled high blood pressure, were included in the study. They were given coaching sessions a few months apart to address the risk factors they had selected, ranging from controlling high blood pressure to increasing physical activity. Although the pandemic made it necessary to postpone coaching sessions, the positive effects of the interventions were retained.

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The study authors, including lead researcher Kristine Yaffe, MD, and co-lead researcher Eric B. Larson, MD, MPH, are optimistic about the potential of risk-reduction programs in the fight against Alzheimer's disease. Unlike drugs that target specific disease mechanisms, these programs are inexpensive, easily accessible, and do not require extensive monitoring of side effects. The findings point to a promising future in which a combination of lifestyle changes and targeted medications could help effectively treat Alzheimer's disease, similar to treating cardiovascular diseases.