Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jan 8, 2026
10:57
Determining Soil-transmitted Helminth Infection Status and Physical Fitness of School-aged Children
Published on: August 22, 2012
24.2K
Public Health
Yue Shi1, Takuji Kawamura2, Yingxu Liu3
1Tohoku University, Sendai, Miyagi, Japan.
Alzheimer'S & Dementia : the Journal of the Alzheimer'S Association
|December 23, 2025
Summary
Improving lifestyle, including physical activity and smoking cessation, can reduce Alzheimer's disease (AD) risk and slow cognitive decline, even for those with high genetic predisposition. Personalized prevention strategies are key.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Genetics
- Gerontology
Background:
- Genetic predisposition, measured by polygenic risk scores (PRS), is a significant Alzheimer's disease (AD) risk factor.
- Lifestyle factors (smoking, alcohol, physical activity, BMI) also influence AD risk, but their interplay with genetic risk is not fully understood.
- Epigenetic age acceleration (EAA) offers a novel marker to investigate how lifestyle changes impact AD and cognitive function over time.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the combined effects of genetic risk, longitudinal lifestyle changes, and epigenetic age acceleration on Alzheimer's disease (AD) risk and cognitive function.
- To explore how lifestyle modifications influence AD outcomes across different levels of genetic susceptibility.
- To identify potential personalized prevention strategies for AD based on genetic and biological aging profiles.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of longitudinal data from 7,265 diverse participants in the Health and Retirement Study (HRS) from 2004 to 2016.
- Assessment of lifestyle factors (physical activity, smoking, alcohol consumption) and Alzheimer's disease (AD) diagnosis over time.
- Quantification of epigenetic age acceleration (EAA) using DNA methylation clocks (GrimAge, DunedinPoAm38) and evaluation of cognitive function via telephone-based tests.
Main Results:
- Lifestyle improvements (increased physical activity, smoking cessation, moderate alcohol) were linked to slower cognitive decline and reduced AD risk across all genetic risk groups.
- Polygenic risk scores (PRS) strongly predicted worse cognitive outcomes and higher AD risk.
- Higher physical activity buffered the negative impact of genetic susceptibility on cognitive function, with significant benefits observed in language and executive function for high-risk individuals.
Conclusions:
- Integrating epigenetic age acceleration with lifestyle and genetic data provides novel insights into AD development and cognitive decline.
- Lifestyle interventions are crucial for mitigating AD risk, particularly for individuals with high genetic susceptibility.
- Findings support the development of personalized AD prevention strategies leveraging genetic profiles and biological aging markers.
More Related Videos
09:33Visualizing Field Data Collection Procedures of Exposure and Biomarker Assessments for the Household Air Pollution Intervention Network Trial in India
Published on: December 23, 2022
2.6K
07:20Dried Blood Spot Collection of Health Biomarkers to Maximize Participation in Population Studies
Published on: January 28, 2014
37.1K
Related Concept Videos
01:30Primary Healthcare Services
1.9K
Primary care promotes wellness and prevents disease. This care includes health promotion, education, protection (such as immunizations), early disease screening, and environmental considerations. Settings providing this type of healthcare include physician offices, public health clinics, school nursing, and community health nursing.
In 1978, international leaders convened in Alma-Ata, Kazakhstan, for what would be a pivotal event in global health. The Alma-Ata Declaration was the first to call...
In 1978, international leaders convened in Alma-Ata, Kazakhstan, for what would be a pivotal event in global health. The Alma-Ata Declaration was the first to call...
1.9K
01:26Levels of Health Promotion and Illness Prevention
14.1K
Health promotion allows a person to control the determinants of health, resulting in an improved health status. It enhances the quality of life and reduces premature deaths. Health promotion and illness prevention programs help people make beneficial choices to reduce the risk of disease and disabilities. There are three health promotion and illness prevention levels: primary, secondary, and tertiary prevention.
In primary prevention, actions taken before disease onset prevent the disease from...
In primary prevention, actions taken before disease onset prevent the disease from...
14.1K
01:30Preventive Healthcare Services
1.8K
Preventive healthcare services keep people healthy via frequent check-ups, screening, and counseling. They primarily aid in disease prevention rather than treating an acute or chronic illness. Preventive treatment also keeps individuals productive and energetic, allowing them to work well into their retirement years. Examples of preventive care services include:
1.8K
01:26Principles of Disease Surveillance
439
Disease surveillance is the systematic collection, analysis, and interpretation of health data essential to the planning, implementation, and evaluation of public health practice. This process integrates data dissemination to entities responsible for preventing and controlling disease, injury, and disability. Surveillance systems provide crucial information for action, helping public health authorities make informed decisions to manage and prevent outbreaks, ensure public safety, optimize...
439
01:17Healthcare Agencies II
1000
There are various healthcare agencies in the United States—some of which are managed by religious institutions and others by different government branches.
Parish nursing is a growing specialty nursing profession that focuses on holistic healthcare, health promotion, and illness prevention. It blends professional nursing practice with a health ministry, focusing on health and healing within the context of a Christian community. Parish nurses serve as health educators, referral sources,...
Parish nursing is a growing specialty nursing profession that focuses on holistic healthcare, health promotion, and illness prevention. It blends professional nursing practice with a health ministry, focusing on health and healing within the context of a Christian community. Parish nurses serve as health educators, referral sources,...
1000
01:26Methods Of Healthcare Delivery System
3.9K
At the different levels of the healthcare system, we see varying methods of healthcare used. These methods include managed care systems, case management, and primary healthcare.
Managed Care System:
The managed care system is designed to control the cost while maintaining the quality of care. The patient's care from admission to discharge is planned by the primary care provider or the case manager, also known as the gatekeeper. In a managed care system, the number of care providers is...
Managed Care System:
The managed care system is designed to control the cost while maintaining the quality of care. The patient's care from admission to discharge is planned by the primary care provider or the case manager, also known as the gatekeeper. In a managed care system, the number of care providers is...
3.9K