Iowa scientists highlight advancements in Alzheimer’s research

DES MOINES — Results of a new clinical trial show adults in Iowa and around the world suffering from Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia benefit from increased physical activity, better nutrition and more social interaction.

The “U.S. POINTER” study is the first to demonstrate a healthy lifestyle intervention can slow cognitive decline, according to the Alzheimer’s Association.

Lauren Livingston, communications director for the Iowa chapter of the Alzheimer’s Association, said taking a combination of common drugs to treat blood pressure, cholesterol and diabetes may also slow cognitive decline.

“Especially in our state where we have fewer doctors and specialists in this field,” Livingston pointed out. “Hopefully in the near future, we’ll have more available and being able to prevent it for longer will give people more of a chance to get early detection and there may be more treatments available at that time, as well.”

Livingston added a decade of data from three large international studies showed people with a genetic predisposition to Alzheimer’s disease benefit the most from healthy lifestyle interventions.

The new research also found people who were exposed to lead early in life face a greater risk of dementia as they age and greatly benefit from lifestyle changes. Livingston noted Alzheimer’s is on the rise and continued research is critical.

In Iowa, there are 60,000 adults over the age of 65 living with Alzheimer’s disease and there are more than 80,000 caregivers. Without new treatments and without a cure those numbers are unfortunately expected to grow especially as the older generations continue to age.