Lifestyle changes, whether structured or self-guided, can improve cognition in older adults at risk of cognitive decline, according to the results of the Alzheimer’s Association’s US POINTER study.

Structured Lifestyle Changes Yielded More Significant Results

The POINTER study evaluated two lifestyle interventions for their effectiveness in improving participants’ cognition. While both protected participants’ cognition from normal age-related decline, the degree of protection differed.

One cohort participated in a structured intervention that included frequent meetings with study staff for guidance, structured moderate to high intensity exercise, adherence to the MIND diet, and weekly web-based cognitive training using the BrainHQ platform. The other cohort was self-guided, with participants encouraged to adapt lifestyle changes that best fit their needs and schedules in less frequent meetings with staff where they received encouragement and coaching. The structured cohort scored 13% higher on cognitive tests than the self-guided cohort – though, as the study’s lead author notes, the self-guided results are still significant.

“The potential to improve cognition with fewer resources and lower participant burden is compelling,” said first author Laura D. Baker, PhD. “It highlights that while not everyone has the same access or ability to adhere to more intensive behavior interventions, even modest changes may protect the brain.”

Further research is needed to determine if the results are similar for people who carry an FTD-causing gene variant, or if FTD runs in their family.

Risk-Factor Research in FTD Still Ongoing

The extent to which lifestyle, diet, environment, and other factors may influence FTD onset and progression remains unclear. While some potentially modifiable factors have been identified, work is still underway to definitively answer whether these factors affect one’s risk of getting FTD.

Risk-factor research is challenging; large volumes of data are required that can be reliably interpreted, and the results will need to be successfully replicated in later studies using different methods. Some potential risk factors may be less frequently assessed or documented in medical records. Additionally, FTD is frequently misdiagnosed, which can make it challenging to attribute risk factors to the disorder.

Because of these issues, families should be careful when interpreting the results of studies. The benefits of a particular intervention may not be generalizable to FTD.

Over 2,000 Participated in Study

The US POINTER study was designed to determine if the results of an earlier study could be replicated in a larger, more diverse population. Researchers recruited 2,111 participants at risk for cognitive decline and dementia across the United States. Participants underwent two years of interventions in both groups.

“These are the initial results,” Dr. Baker says. “Over the coming weeks and months, study leadership will be exploring all of the data collected in the trial to paint an even more comprehensive picture of the US POINTER intervention effects on brain health.”

AFTD Resources for Brain Health and Managing FTD

While lifestyle changes to support brain health may help manage FTD, families must be careful when trying to implement them; FTD is a complicated disorder that is different for each person on the journey. Take a person-centric approach that is comfortable for yourself or a loved one with FTD, but most importantly, take your time; you are already carrying a heavy workload by managing the disease.

If you have questions or concerns about brain health, lifestyle, and FTD, AFTD’s HelpLine is here to support you. Contact the HelpLine at 1-866-507-7222 or info@theaftd.org.

You can learn more about research into potential FTD risk factors by reading about AFTD’s 2025 Holloway Summit. If you are interested in learning more about what we currently know about risk factors, watch the session from AFTD’s 2024 Education Conference: Lifestyle Choices and Brain Health: What Does the Research Really Say?