Alzheimer’s disease (60-80%) and Frontotemporal dementia (FTD) (10-20%) make up the two largest populations of dementia sufferers (Dementia with Lewy bodies comprises another 5%). Two fairly recently published studies have examined the effects of lifestyle changes on both Alzheimer’s and FTD. Both studies considered the participants’ physical and cognitive activities to create a definition of “active lifestyle” for the participants. For both the Alzheimer’s and FTD studies, participants with the greatest activity scores showed the greatest resistance to cognitive decline (for those not already showing mild cognitive impairment) or the greatest reduction in rate of cognitive decline (for those already showing some mild cognitive impairment).

Here are links to three media articles on lifestyle & Alzheimer’s:

People at Risk of Alzheimer’s May Improve Brain Function With Individualized Treatment

Lifestyle changes improved cognition in people at risk for Alzheimers, study shows

Could Regimented, Prescribed & Individualized Lifestyle Changes Improve Cognition in People at Risk for Alzheimer’s Disease?

Here is a link to the research article on lifestyle & Alzheimer’s:

Individualized clinical management of patients at risk for Alzheimer’s dementia

Here are links to three media articles on lifestyle & FTD:

Lifestyle changes may combat a dementia that strikes people in their 40s and 50s

Lifestyle Choices Could Slow Familial Frontotemporal Dementia

Active lifestyle may slow inherited frontotemporal dementia

Here is a link to the research report on lifestyle & FTD:

Active lifestyles moderate clinical outcomes in autosomal dominant frontotemporal degeneration

All links have been added to Health > Physical Exercise and Alzheimers > Mental Exercise.