Preventing age-associated cognitive decline: The contribution of epidemiological research
Amieva, Hélène
Preventing age-associated cognitive decline: The contribution of epidemiological research - 2018.
87
“Healthy aging” is a major challenge for public health policies, as shown by the successive national or international plans. Nevertheless, whatever the policies implemented, the aging process is a fundamentally heterogeneous phenomenon. As we grow older, we accumulate a wide number of differences in terms of both the factor of risk and that of protection, which we are exposed to all throughout our lives. This explains why we are not all equal as we are confronted with aging and its associated cognitive changes. Over these last 30 years, epidemiological research has highlighted several factors associated with either a higher or a lower risk of cognitive decline, among which nine are modifiable factors: physical activity, nutrition, obesity, diabetes, hypertension, sensory deficits, leisure activities, social support, and education. Based on these findings, research on prevention has, over the last years, moved from descriptive studies to interventional studies. Since cognitive decline is multifactorial, several multidomain programs have been developed and are currently being tested in clinical trials. The estimation made at the Alzheimer's Association International Conference in 2017 stating that 35% of dementia cases could be potentially avoided, along with the promising results of these clinical studies—which still remain to be confirmed—, give hope for the future and encourage the community to continue its efforts on the path of prevention.
Preventing age-associated cognitive decline: The contribution of epidemiological research - 2018.
87
“Healthy aging” is a major challenge for public health policies, as shown by the successive national or international plans. Nevertheless, whatever the policies implemented, the aging process is a fundamentally heterogeneous phenomenon. As we grow older, we accumulate a wide number of differences in terms of both the factor of risk and that of protection, which we are exposed to all throughout our lives. This explains why we are not all equal as we are confronted with aging and its associated cognitive changes. Over these last 30 years, epidemiological research has highlighted several factors associated with either a higher or a lower risk of cognitive decline, among which nine are modifiable factors: physical activity, nutrition, obesity, diabetes, hypertension, sensory deficits, leisure activities, social support, and education. Based on these findings, research on prevention has, over the last years, moved from descriptive studies to interventional studies. Since cognitive decline is multifactorial, several multidomain programs have been developed and are currently being tested in clinical trials. The estimation made at the Alzheimer's Association International Conference in 2017 stating that 35% of dementia cases could be potentially avoided, along with the promising results of these clinical studies—which still remain to be confirmed—, give hope for the future and encourage the community to continue its efforts on the path of prevention.
Réseaux sociaux