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.

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, DrPH
President & CEO
Alzheimer’s Association