Healthy living system lowers dementia risk
Dementia is a general term describing a decline in memory or cognitive function beyond what would be expected with normal ageing. Although risk factors like genetics cannot be reversed, lifestyle factors that contribute to dementia, such as physical inactivity and poor diet, can be modified. The EU-funded IN-MINDD (Innovative midlife intervention for dementia deterrence) project has successfully created awareness and developed programmes for dementia prevention through healthy lifestyle adoption. IN-MINDD advanced an online tool that produces a dementia risk-factor profile and a Lifestyle for Brain Health (LIBRA) score for people aged 40 to 60. The LIBRA model was validated against a large population database. By reaching potential future patients while still in midlife, IN-MINDD intends to help them adopt lifestyle changes to reduce their risk of developing dementia. Together with clinical experts and within an online support environment, user-generated information was used to test the online profiler in randomised controlled trials across four EU countries. Importantly, IN-MINDD spread the word far and wide, via social media, on modifiable risk factors and preventative action that could reduce dementia onset later in life. Worldwide the social and economic costs associated with dementia are estimated to be over 800 billion US dollars. Cutting these costs would have a significant impact on healthcare particularly in ageing societies. IN-MINDD's recommended lifestyle changes could also influence other modifiable lifestyle conditions like heart disease.
Keywords
Healthy living, dementia, IN-MINDD, LIBRA model, randomised controlled trials
