New research published in the Journal of Alzheimer’s Disease suggests that a personalized, multimodal approach to Alzheimer’s and dementia prevention may actually slow or even reverse advanced cognitive decline.
To date the findings are based on a single-arm, proof-of-concept, study. This means a sample of individuals with the targeted medical condition are given the experimental therapy and then followed over time to observe their response. This is the simplest stage of a study, but it signals scope for further research.
This is the latest research to suggest that the best treatment for dementia may not just be prescribed, but rather include a series of learned behaviors. The research involved Dr. Henry Mahncke, CEO of Posit Science, developers of the BrainHQ app which was used as the cognitive training portion of this study.
According to Dr. Mahncke: “While most studies of cognition look at the effect of a single type of treatment, this study is exciting because it represents a more 21st century, personalized approach to treatment.”
The findings are based on a series of experiments, which Dr. Mahncke summarizes as: “The researchers extensively tested participants, and then recommended a personalized approach for each one by applying a set protocol to the baseline test results. In each case, the researchers recommended a minimum of 15 minutes of daily training with BrainHQ, which quickly personalizes to each user.”
The study used twenty-five patients diagnosed with dementia or mild cognitive impairment (a pre-dementia condition that denotes high risk for dementia). Each patient was evaluated for numerous markers associated with cognitive decline.
At the start and end of the study, brain magnetic resonance imaging with volumetrics was performed. Each patient was treated for nine months with a personalized, precision medicine protocol, and cognition was assessed at baseline, and then at months three, six, and nine.
The studies evaluated the combined impact on dementia risk of a set programs in brain exercise, physical exercise, and anti-inflammatory diet.
The researchers found statistically significant before-to-after improvement in the primary objective cognitive measures. These encouraging results from the cognitive assessments were underscored by improvements in grey matter volume and slower hippocampal volume loss.
The next stage of the research will involve a randomized controlled trial.
The research study is titled “Precision Medicine Approach to Alzheimer’s Disease: Successful Pilot Project.”
