Five Dutch centers have started a large-scale study into the effect of lifestyle interventions on the thinking ability of the elderly. Scientists from Maastricht UMC+, Radboudumc, Alzheimer Center Amsterdam, Wageningen University and the UMCG will look at how lifestyle changes can contribute to improving the brain health of older people.
The research project, which bears the name FINGER-NL, started this week, Maastricht UMC+ reports on its website† The Dutch study is a follow-up to the Finnish study FINGER. It showed that a combination of exercise, a healthy diet, good monitoring of cardiovascular health and memory training significantly improves the thinking ability of the elderly. Other research shows that other lifestyle factors, including better sleep and adequate relaxation, may have a positive effect on thinking ability. In the FINGER-NL study, all these lifestyle factors are bundled into one comprehensive two-year lifestyle intervention.
thinking ability
One of the leaders of the study is Sebastian Köhler of the Alzheimer Centrum Limburg, part of MUMC+. “The idea that a healthy lifestyle is important for your brain is still relatively new. With FINGER-NL we want to provide the ultimate proof that what is good for your heart is also good for your brain,” says Köhler. The mind is about being able to remember things, learn new things and keep your attention on something. Factors associated with thinking ability include exercise, memory training, diet, cardiovascular health, sleep, relaxation, and social activities.
lifestyle program
The personalized lifestyle program in this study lasts two years and takes the form of a lifestyle program. It targets several factors associated with brain health, such as exercise, memory training, cardiovascular health, diet, sleep, relaxation and social activities. Participants in this study are between 60 and 79 years old. With the results of the study, a more targeted lifestyle advice can be given, with the aim of preventing a decline in the thinking ability of the elderly.
–
