Primary prevention recommendations to reduce the risk of cognitive decline

Few resources address steps clinicians can take to help patients reduce their risk of dementia, despite growing recognition that brain health can be optimized and that risk reduction for cognitive decline can be accomplished by lifestyle modifications.

To address this gap, UsAgainstAlzheimer's convened a risk reduction workgroup (RRWG) to review existing evidence and develop recommendations for primary care clinicians discussing cognitive decline and risk reduction with their patients.  RESULTS: The RRWG produced 11 consensus-based recommendations and implementation strategies across six topics: neurovascular risk management, physical activity, sleep, nutrition, social isolation, and cognitive stimulation.  DISCUSSION: These recommendations are a first step for clinicians to address brain health with patients and potentially help them prevent cognitive decline. To ensure there is routine care for brain health, proper incentives and policies must be instituted and more education for consumers should be provided.