20 Mar 2023
Debunking dementia myths: is it all in the genes?
If you think that dementia is completely genetic, we’ve got news for you!
Research has shown that with the right changes, up to 40% of cases could be avoided or delayed.
Are you ready to prioritise your brain and learn about the specific lifestyle changes that could make all the difference?
This Episode:
In this episode, we’re joined by Dr Miia Kivipelto, a Professor in Clinical Geriatrics at the Center for Alzheimer’s Research. Dr Kivipelto’s translational research focuses on the prevention, early diagnosis and treatment of cognitive impairment, dementia and Alzheimer’s disease (AD).
After this episode, you’ll know how to tailor your diet, exercise and lifestyle in order to give yourself the best chance at reducing your risk for dementia.
Dementia, a disease that takes decades to play out, is notoriously difficult to study. That’s why over a decade ago, Dr Kivipelto set up the FINGER study - the first of its kind - to track the lives of 1,000 Finnish adults aged 60 to 77. These adults all had a heightened risk for dementia, with some already showing signs of cognitive decline. Half of these adults were randomly selected to take part in the biggest intervention of its kind.
As the years have gone by, some astonishing results have emerged that have started to answer the age-old question: is there anything we can do to stave off dementia?
Dr Kivipelto’s research on the phenomenal FINGER study has shown how brain training and other specific lifestyle factors can slow down cognitive decline and the progression of dementia by as much as 30%!
Episode Highlights:
Did you know that improving multiple aspects of your life at once can have an effect that’s even stronger than the sum of its parts?
Interventions can improve cognition even in people already starting to show cognitive decline with cognitive performance deteriorates as they age.
Five Lives App:
How healthy is your brain? Discover your brain health score and risk for dementia on the Five Lives app. Validated by an NHS doctor and approved as a class 1 medical device, improve your cognitive performance with easy, simple and powerful digital coaching and fun brain games!
Download the Five Lives app today from the Google Play and App Store! (https://www.fivelives.health/app)
Studies referenced in this episode:
-Kivipelto M, Solomon A, Ahtiluoto S, et al. The Finnish Geriatric Intervention Study to Prevent Cognitive Impairment and Disability (FINGER): https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/23332672/ (https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/23332672/)
-Rosenberg A, Mangialasche F, Ngandu T, Solomon A, Kivipelto M. Multidomain Interventions to Prevent Cognitive Impairment, Alzheimer’s Disease, and Dementia From FINGER to World-Wide FINGERS: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32010923/ (https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32010923/)
