Simultaneous Modification of Multiple Risk Factors Slows Cognitive Decline in Older Adults at Risk for Dementia

Recent estimates suggest that about one third of Alzheimer disease cases might be attributable to seven modifiable risk factors: low education, hypertension, obesity, diabetes, inactivity, smoking, and depression. Efforts to prevent dementia by modifying one or two of these risk factors have been largely unrewarded. To assess a more comprehensive approach, researchers in Finland randomized 1260 patients (age range, 60–77) with risk factors for dementia and baseline cognitive function at or slightly below expected for age to a 2-year multidomain intervention or to general health advice (controls). The intervention consisted of individual and group sessions for dietary counseling and cognitive training, supervised aerobic and muscle-strengthe…