Structured lifestyle coaching improves cognition in dementia risk trial

A two-year randomized trial known as LatAm-FINGERS has found that structured lifestyle coaching significantly improves cognitive function in older adults at risk of dementia. The study, published in The Lancet and presented at the Alzheimer's Association International Conference, followed 1,065 participants aged 60 to 77 across 11 Latin American countries.

The research compared an intensive intervention group against a group receiving general health advice. The intensive group received supervised exercise, nutrition counseling based on an adapted MIND diet, computerized cognitive training, and regular social meetings. This structured approach resulted in a 55 percent improvement on a composite measure of global cognition compared to the group receiving lighter-touch recommendations.

Dietary experts highlighted specific foods that support brain health, such as Brazil nuts, which are rich in selenium and healthy fats, and chickpeas, which provide essential proteins and amino acids. The study suggests that the combination of regular exercise, cognitive training, and supervised nutritional guidance may help protect memory and executive function in high-risk populations.