Can We Prevent Cognitive Decline in Aging? Multi-Domain Trials with Laura Baker and Ellen Binder

Can we prevent age-related cognitive decline, and perhaps even head off Alzheimer's disease and related dementias before they start?

Pharmaceutical companies are spending billions searching for a magic bullet pill to answer that question. But what if the solution requires more than a single drug? What if real prevention demands a multi-domain approach that combines targeted diet, exercise, social engagement, and vascular risk factor management among other things?

On today's episode, we explore multi-domain interventions for cognitive risk reduction with two leading experts:

• Laura D. Baker, PhD, Co-PI and first author of the US POINTER study.

• Ellen Binder, MD, Co-PI and senior author of the rrAD Trial.

The key multi-component trials discussed in this episode include:

• FINGER Trial (Finnish Geriatric Intervention Study to Prevent Cognitive Impairment and Disability

• SMARRT Trial (Systematic Multi-Domain Alzheimer's Risk Reduction Trial -> Check out our previous GeriPal episode on SMARRT

• US POINTER Study (US Study to Protect Brain Health Through Lifestyle Intervention to Reduce Risk)

• rrAD Trial (Risk Reduction for Alzheimer's Disease)

My key takeaway from this conversation? We now have compelling evidence that actively modifying lifestyle risk factors can preserve, and even improve brain health as we age. That makes this episode's song choice all the more fitting: "Get On Your Feet."