Intervention for a Digital, Cognitive, Multi-Domain Alzheimer Risk Velocity Study: Protocol for a Randomized...

Area of Science:

• Gerontology
• Neuroscience
• Public Health

Background:

• Alzheimer disease (AD) affects over 6 million US adults, with 1 in 3 older adults impacted.
• Lifestyle interventions show promise in slowing cognitive decline and delaying AD onset.
• Existing research often focuses on older populations and in-person interventions.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate a 2-year digital lifestyle intervention's effect on Alzheimer disease (AD) risk.
• To compare the intervention group with a health education control group.
• To assess impact on at-risk middle-aged and older adults aged 45-75 years.

Main Methods:

• A digitally delivered, personalized health coaching program targeting modifiable AD risk factors.
• Primary outcome: Alzheimer Disease Risk Index (ADRI).
• Secondary outcomes: functional fitness, blood biomarkers (inflammation, glucose, cholesterol, triglycerides), and cognitive function.

Main Results:

• No significant difference in AD risk between the intervention and control groups at baseline (P=.90).
• Baseline AD risk scores were comparable between groups (mean -1.68, SD 7.31).

Conclusions:

• The Digital, Cognitive, Multi-domain Alzheimer Risk Velocity intervention is designed to mitigate AD risk.
• The web-based program addresses modifiable, lifestyle-based risk factors.
• Further investigation into the efficacy of digital health coaching for AD risk reduction is warranted.