New research suggests that maintaining a healthy lifestyle can help protect against cognitive decline, even in older adults whose brains show signs of dementia. The study, published in JAMA Neurology, highlights the role of healthy habits in boosting “cognitive reserve,” which helps individuals stay mentally sharp despite changes in the brain.
The study, based on the Rush Memory and Aging Project, analyzed data from 586 patients, most of whom lived into their late 80s or early 90s. Researchers looked at the patients’ lifestyle choices, such as diet, exercise, alcohol consumption, and cognitive activities, and compared these with postmortem brain data from 1997 to 2022.
The findings revealed that higher scores in five key lifestyle areas—healthy diet, cognitive activity in later life, physical exercise, no smoking, and limited alcohol intake—were linked to better cognitive function before death. This was true even when the patients showed brain changes associated with dementia, such as amyloid plaques, which are linked to Alzheimer’s disease.
The study suggests that healthy habits might help reduce brain inflammation and oxidative stress, which could protect the brain. The researchers believe this could explain why some people with brain changes still perform well cognitively. The findings stress the importance of healthy lifestyle choices in supporting brain health.
The study is seen as an important step forward in understanding how lifestyle affects dementia risk, and experts encourage integrating lifestyle changes with medical treatments for Alzheimer’s. More research is needed to explore how these findings apply to diverse populations
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