How to avoid Dementia (Alzheimer’s disease, frontotemporal dementia)

Bruce Willis’ report on dementia (frontotemporal dimentia) progression has become a hot topic. Dementia prevention is an important issue for all people in order to have a healthy retirement.

frontotemporal dementia (FTD) is a degenerative brain disorder that affects the frontal and temporal lobes of the brain, resulting in a decline in cognitive and behavioral functions. While there is no guaranteed way to prevent FTD, there are steps to prevent FTD, Alzheimer’s disease and other types of dementia:

Exercise regularly:

Regular exercise has been linked to a reduced risk of dementia, including FTD. Aim for at least 30 minutes of moderate-intensity exercise, such as brisk walking, most days of the week.

Hamer M, Chida Y. Physical activity and risk of neurodegenerative disease: a systematic review of prospective evidence. Psychol Med. 2009 Jan;39(1):3-11. doi: 10.1017/S0033291708003681. Epub 2008 Jun 23. PMID: 18570697.

Eat a healthy diet:

A healthy diet rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, lean protein, and healthy fats may help protect against dementia.

Charisis S, Ntanasi E, Yannakoulia M, Anastasiou CA, Kosmidis MH, Dardiotis E, Hadjigeorgiou G, Sakka P, Scarmeas N. Mediterranean diet and risk for dementia and cognitive decline in a Mediterranean population. J Am Geriatr Soc. 2021 Jun;69(6):1548-1559. doi: 10.1111/jgs.17072. Epub 2021 Mar 16. PMID: 33724444.

Manage chronic conditions:

Manage chronic conditions such as high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and diabetes, which have been linked to an increased risk of dementia.

Association of Cardiovascular Risk Trajectory With Cognitive Decline and Incident Dementia ,Bryn Farnsworth von Cederwald, Maria Josefsson, Anders Wåhlin, Lars Nyberg, Nina Karalija
Neurology May 2022, 98 (20) e2013-e2022; DOI: 10.1212/WNL.0000000000200255

Chatterjee S, Peters SA, Woodward M, Mejia Arango S, Batty GD, Beckett N, Beiser A, Borenstein AR, Crane PK, Haan M, Hassing LB, Hayden KM, Kiyohara Y, Larson EB, Li CY, Ninomiya T, Ohara T, Peters R, Russ TC, Seshadri S, Strand BH, Walker R, Xu W, Huxley RR. Type 2 Diabetes as a Risk Factor for Dementia in Women Compared With Men: A Pooled Analysis of 2.3 Million People Comprising More Than 100,000 Cases of Dementia. Diabetes Care. 2016 Feb;39(2):300-7. doi: 10.2337/dc15-1588. Epub 2015 Dec 17. PMID: 26681727; PMCID: PMC4722942.

Stay socially active:

Maintaining social connections and participating in social activities has been linked to a reduced risk of dementia.

Piolatto, M., Bianchi, F., Rota, M. et al. The effect of social relationships on cognitive decline in older adults: an updated systematic review and meta-analysis of longitudinal cohort studies. BMC Public Health 22, 278 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-022-12567-5

Protect your head:

Take steps to protect your head from injury, such as wearing a helmet when riding a bike or participating in contact sports.

Traumatic brain injury and risk of dementia in older veterans, Neurology. 2014 Jul 22; 83(4): 312–319. doi: 10.1212/WNL.0000000000000616

Stay mentally active:

Keep your mind engaged by reading, learning new skills, and participating in mentally stimulating activities.

Su S, Shi L, Zheng Y, Sun Y, Huang X, Zhang A, Que J, Sun X, Shi J, Bao Y, Deng J, Lu L. Leisure Activities and the Risk of Dementia: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. Neurology. 2022 Aug 10;99(15):e1651–63. doi: 10.1212/WNL.0000000000200929. Epub ahead of print. PMID: 35948447; PMCID: PMC9559944.

It’s important to note that some types of FTD are genetic, so if you have a family history of FTD, you may want to speak with a genetic counselor to discuss your risk and potential preventative measures.