Significant correlation seen between lifestyle and both cognitive function and Aβ42/40 ratio
THURSDAY, June 13, 2024 (HealthDay News) — For patients with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) or early dementia due to Alzheimer disease (AD), comprehensive lifestyle changes may improve cognition and function, according to a study published online June 7 in Alzheimer”s Research & Therapy.
Dean Ornish, M.D., from Preventive Medicine Research Institute in Sausalito, California, and colleagues conducted a randomized controlled phase 2 trial involving 51 individuals aged 45 to 90 years with MCI or early dementia due to AD and a Montreal Cognitive Assessment score of 18 or higher. Changes in cognition and function tests were examined after 20 weeks of an intensive multidomain lifestyle intervention versus a wait-list usual-care control group.
The researchers found significant between-group differences in the Clinical Global Impression of Change (CGIC), Clinical Dementia Rating-Sum of Boxes (CDR-SB), and Clinical Dementia Rating Global (CDR Global), as well as borderline significant differences in the Alzheimer”s Disease Assessment Scale (ADAS-Cog) after 20 weeks. Compared with the control group, which worsened in all four measures, the intervention group showed improvement in cognition and function on the CGIC, CDR-Global, and ADAS-Cog and showed significantly less progression on the CDR-SB. There was an increase in the β-amyloid (Aβ)42/40 ratio in the intervention group and a decrease in the control group. A significant correlation was seen between lifestyle and both cognitive function and the plasma Aβ42/40 ratio. Improvement in the microbiome was only seen in the intervention group.
“These findings support longer follow-up and larger clinical trials to determine the longer-term outcomes of this intensive lifestyle medicine intervention in larger groups of more diverse AD populations,” the authors write.
Several authors disclosed ties to the biopharmaceutical industry.
More Extensive Deposits of Tau Seen in Early-Onset Alzheimer Disease 
NOACs Linked to Slower Cognitive Decline in Patients With A-Fib, Alzheimer Disease 
Cortical Atrophy in Early-Onset Alzheimer Disease Signature Can Predict Progression to Dementia 
Exercise Link to Dementia Varies by Physical Activity Domain 
CTE Pathology Found in Nearly 75 Percent of Deceased Former NFL Players 
Insomnia Linked to Increased Risk for Stroke, Odds of Admission 
Increased Dementia Risk Seen After Transient Ischemic Attack 
Nearly 3 in 4 Older Adults Express Interest in Vaccine to Prevent Dementia 
