Although amyloid plaques are associated with Alzheimer disease, they are not necessarily causative. In fact, previous studies of drugs targeting amyloid deposits have shown no clinical benefit. Because of the lack of effective treatments, prevention remains the best strategy for reducing the burden of dementia.

Secondary prevention equates to screening for dementia and offering interventions to patients who have positive findings on screening and confirmatory testing.

The American Heart Association AHA recently released a scientific statement on a primary care agenda for brain health. Prevention must address other neurodegenerative and cerebrovascular risk factors as well as comorbidities that can affect physical and cognitive function.

The AHA has identified a set of preventive interventions known as Life's Simple 7. These interventions include controlling blood pressure, avoiding smoking, getting adequate physical activity, preventing and controlling diabetes mellitus, eating a healthy diet, maintaining weight, and controlling lipid levels.

Unfortunately, few people meet the goals of Life's Simple 7. Among U. In addition to the risk factors addressed by Life's Simple 7, consistent observational evidence suggests the importance of education especially early in life , social engagement, and sleep quality in mitigating cognitive decline.

No randomized controlled trial RCT has shown that hearing interventions are effective for long-term cognitive outcomes, but observational studies suggest benefit. Although there is widespread interest in pharmacologic interventions targeted at preventing cognitive decline, there is no consistent evidence of benefit for any such products.

Supplements such as Ginkgo biloba and others containing vitamin B 6 , vitamin E, folic acid, and omega-3 fatty acids have been advertised to the public as beneficial to cognitive health. However, RCTs of these interventions have not shown any benefit for memory.

A few RCTs have examined the effectiveness of various types of mental exercises or training to prevent cognitive decline among healthy older adults. Thanks for visiting. Don't miss your FREE gift.

The Best Diets for Cognitive Fitness , is yours absolutely FREE when you sign up to receive Health Alerts from Harvard Medical School. Sign up to get tips for living a healthy lifestyle, with ways to fight inflammation and improve cognitive health , plus the latest advances in preventative medicine, diet and exercise , pain relief, blood pressure and cholesterol management, and more.

Get helpful tips and guidance for everything from fighting inflammation to finding the best diets for weight loss from exercises to build a stronger core to advice on treating cataracts.

PLUS, the latest news on medical advances and breakthroughs from Harvard Medical School experts. Sign up now and get a FREE copy of the Best Diets for Cognitive Fitness. Stay on top of latest health news from Harvard Medical School. Recent Blog Articles.

Flowers, chocolates, organ donation — are you in? What is a tongue-tie? What parents need to know. Which migraine medications are most helpful? How well do you score on brain health? Shining light on night blindness. Can watching sports be bad for your health?

Beyond the usual suspects for healthy resolutions. December 7, While there's currently no treatment that can prevent or cure dementia, researchers have identified some factors that may help protect you from cognitive decline. Exercise Exercise offers an impressive array of health benefits.

Not only does staying physically active help your brain, it also helps lower your risk of these conditions: Heart disease Type 2 diabetes High blood pressure Colon cancer Breast cancer Exercise also helps relieve insomnia, anxiety, and depression. A Mediterranean-style diet This eating pattern has long been recognized as promoting better cardiovascular health, lowering the risk of certain cancers, and may protect against cognitive decline.

A Mediterranean diet emphasizes: Fruits Vegetables Whole grains Beans Nuts and seeds Olive oil, Fish, poultry, and dairy products Alcohol Some older studies suggest that people who consume an average of one alcoholic beverage per day may have a lower risk of dementia However, experts do not recommend drinking alcohol to prevent cognitive decline.

Hara was previously an Assistant Professor in Neuroscience at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, where she remains an adjunct faculty member. Her research focused on brain aging, specifically how estrogens and reproductive aging influence the aging brain's synapses and mitochondria.

She earned a doctorate in neurology and neuroscience at Weill Graduate School of Medical Sciences of Cornell University and a bachelor's degree in biology from Cornell University, with additional study at Keio University in Japan.

Hara has authored numerous peer-reviewed publications, including articles in PNAS and Journal of Neuroscience. Want Better Brain Health? Study Says to Start Exercising Now.

Three Promising Diets to Improve Cognitive Vitality. Healthy Lifestyle Changes May Benefit Cognition in Older People with APOE 4. Brain Training Can Reduce Dementia Risk. Nine Lifestyle Factors May Lower Your Alzheimer's Risk. Does Obesity Increase Dementia Risk?

Your Brain is Begging You: Stop Smoking! First Steps to Protect Your Cognitive Vitality. Live Smart Seven Lifestyle Interventions Evaluated by the WHO for Preventing Cognitive Decline and Dementia August 14, Yuko Hara, PhD.

Quitting tobacco smoking Smoking cigarettes is associated with serious health risks, including many types of cancers, cardiovascular disease, asthma, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

Nutrition and diet A healthy diet is important for maintaining overall health, but it is also important for brain health. Reducing alcohol use disorder The evidence on the effects of alcohol on brain health has been inconsistent, with some studies suggesting that low-to-moderate alcohol intake is beneficial for brain health, while other studies suggesting that even light drinking can be harmful.

Cognitive interventions Lifelong learning is associated with cognitive health, and higher levels of cognitive activity at mid- or late-life are linked to delayed onset of cognitive impairment [ 4 ]. Social activity Social isolation is a risk factor not only for dementia but also for hypertension, coronary heart disease, and depression [ 6 ].

Weight management Observational studies have reported that people who are obese in midlife have an increased risk of dementia compared to those with healthy body weight [ 8 ]. WHO WHO Guidelines: Risk reduction of cognitive decline and dementia. Anstey KJ, von Sanden C, Salim A et al.

Am J Epidemiol , Langballe EM, Ask H, Holmen J et al. Eur J Epidemiol 30, Vemuri P, Lesnick TG, Przybelski SA et al. JAMA Neurol 71, Edwards JD, Xu H, Clark DO et al.