CLAIM OF ‘BEATING’ ALZHEIMER’S OVERBLOWN AND MISLEADING This ANU press release taken up by many websites and media including the ABC states ‘It may be possible to prevent Alzheimer’s disease for those experiencing cognitive decline’. It may be possible but THIS STUDY DOES NOT ESTABLISH THAT AT ALL.
Many other studies have now confirmed that the RISK of developing dementia (including Alzheimer’s – one cause of dementia) can probably be reduced by adopting diet and lifestyle changes. The ANU study demonstrated that the small group of people in the study were more likely to adopt these diet and lifestyle measures if they were intensively supported and educated about the necessary changes.
THEY WERE NOT PEOPLE WITH EARLY ALZHEIMER’S. Instead they were people who either had some cognitive problems that they or others had noticed (‘Subjective Cognitive Decline’) or ‘Mild Cognitive Impairment’. These conditions are known to be associated with a risk of progressing to dementia but not everyone with either of these conditions does go on to develop dementia.
At the end of 6 months follow-up after the study they scored well on a scale (ANU-ADRI) which assessed their risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease. The part of that scale on which they scored well was the ‘protective factors’ part which lists lifestyle changes in alcohol intake, physical activity, cognitive engagement and fish intake. So this showed that there lifestyle and diet had changed, reducing their risk of developing dementia. It did NOT show that there had been some change in their brains or bodies which reduced their risk or stopped them from developing Alzheimer’s.
They also showed improvement on some cognitive tests (brain function tests), particularly (compared to a ‘control’ group who had a less intensive and personal program) on one test: Symbol Digit Modalities Test (SDMT). This improvement does not equate to their having been prevented from developing Alzheimer’s as the press release and some of the reporting implies. People with and without Alzheimer’s or other dementias can improve in function (which of course may be very worthwhile) without that halting ultimate progression of the disorder.
https://www.anu.edu.au/news/all-news/lifestyle-changes-could-beat-alzheimers