Breaking: Landmark Alzheimer's Association trial shows
lifestyle changes can protect brain health in diverse communities
Alzheimer's Association
This email is sent to all Alzheimer's Association volunteers,
supporters, and staff.
I am writing to share a major breakthrough that will transform the way
our nation approaches brain health. Results from the Alzheimer's
Association U.S. Study to Protect Brain Health Through Lifestyle
Intervention to Reduce Risk, known as U.S. POINTER, were shared for
the first time today at the Alzheimer's Association
International Conference (AAIC) 2025.
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On behalf of all those we serve in the U.S. and globally, I am
incredibly proud to share that healthy lifestyle changes -
specifically a combined exercise, nutrition, cognitive engagement and
health monitoring program - can meaningfully protect brain
health in diverse communities across the U.S. The lifestyle programs
in U.S. POINTER helped protect thinking and memory from the normal
decline that often comes with aging - and those in the more
structured program experienced even greater benefits, staying mentally
sharper over the two-year period. This is monumental.
Why these results matter
One of the most common questions we get at the Alzheimer's Association
is about how people can improve their brain health, reduce their risk
or even prevent Alzheimer's or other dementia. Until now, we had
a lot of strong evidence to suggest that positive everyday actions
could protect brain health, but we didn't have the type of
rigorous data in representative populations that proved a connection.
This is why we brought the U.S. POINTER Study to the United States,
building on learnings from a similar and successful study in Finland:
the FINGER study.
About the trial
Upon learning about the success of the FINGER study in Finland, the
Alzheimer's Association leadership decided in a bold move, to
replicate the study in a larger and more representative population
that reflected Americans at risk for cognitive decline and dementia.
Not only did we bring together the study team that worked with us to
conduct the study, we are also the primary funder, and ensured the
intervention delivery in community through partnership with our
chapter network. There is no other organization in the world that
could have conducted this community-based study for brain health.
These landmark results are a testament to our commitment to achieving
our mission and vision, and demonstrate that our efforts have real
impact.
U.S. POINTER was a rigorous, two-year, randomized controlled clinical
trial that tested two lifestyle interventions in a large, diverse
population of older adults at risk for cognitive decline and dementia.
Participants were randomly assigned to either a self-guided or
structured lifestyle program. Both interventions focused on increasing
physical activity, improving nutrition, cognitive and social challenge
and health monitoring, but differed in the level of structure,
accountability, and support provided.
Remarkably, cognitive function improved over the two years for both
intervention groups. However, the group that received more structured
support showed the greatest benefit - protecting cognition from
normal age-related decline for nearly two years. This extra benefit
was observed regardless of sex, ethnicity, genetic risk or
cardiometabolic health.
This means that, relative to the self-guided group, participants in
the structured group performed at a level comparable to adults 1 to 2
years younger in age - an effect that likely increases
resilience against cognitive decline.
Over the next few months, we will continue analyzing all the data from
the trial to uncover more insights about the results. We will continue
to share updates as they become available.
Leading the way toward a brain-healthy U.S.
As an extension of our leadership with U.S. POINTER, the
Alzheimer's Association will continue to lead the way to ensure
people in all communities across the country have an opportunity to
meaningfully improve their brain health. Over the next four years,
we'll invest $40 million to support this work. This includes an
extension of the trial to follow U.S. POINTER participants to
understand the longer-term impact of these lifestyle interventions, as
well as collaborations with health systems and health agencies to turn
the trial findings into action for people in all communities.
Here are several initiatives you can expect to see in the coming
months:
* A personal brain health assessment tool to help people create
their own brain health game plan
* An interactive, case-based virtual brain health training program
to help health care providers promote brain health among their
patients
* A brain health and dementia-capable Community Recognition
Program to recognize employers, health care systems and
communities that champion brain health and deliver quality care
and support
* A Brain Health Roundtable to bring together the brightest minds
among health care, public health, community and corporate
leaders.
A new era in brain health
This was one of the largest and most ambitious lifestyle intervention
trials for brain health in United States history. The results will
have a real impact on Americans for generations to come - but it
is just the beginning.
This is truly momentous news for each and every one of us that works
hard to drive the mission of the Alzheimer's Association. We are
so proud, and hope each and every one of you will celebrate this news
with us.
I look forward to working together to change the course of brain
health for people across the country.
Sincerely,
Joanne Pike signature
Joanne Pike, DrPH
President & CEO
Alzheimer's Association
Alzheimer's Association Home Office, 225
N. Michigan Ave., Fl. 17, Chicago, IL 60601
© 2025 Alzheimer's
Association. All rights reserved.
800.272.3900 alz.org
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