Alzheimer’s and Brain Awareness Month is observed every June to raise awareness about Alzheimer’s disease, dementia, and brain health. Today’s column provides an overview of this disease and provides information on a structured two-year clinical trial that produced positive results.
The month also emphasizes support for caregivers and the development of treatments, with over 150 therapies currently in research pipelines.
Despite growing awareness, a significant gap remains between understanding that brain health matters and knowing how to protect it. According to the 2026 Alzheimer’s Disease Facts and Figures report, nearly 9 in 10 Americans say brain health is important, yet only 1 in 10 say they know what to do to maintain it. Access the report, Alzheimer’s Association 2026 Alzheimer’s disease Facts and Figures, at alz.org.
Early detection is crucial, as only about half of people with Alzheimer’s receive a diagnosis, delaying access to care and treatment.
Alzheimer’s disease overview
Alzheimer’s is the most common cause of dementia, accounting for 60–80% of cases. It is a progressive disease that worsens over time, with early symptoms including mild memory loss and later stages affecting communication and daily functioning. In 2026, an estimated 7.4 million Americans aged 65 and older are living with Alzheimer’s, with 74% of them aged 75 or older.
An overview of a two-year clinical trial (the U.S. POINTER clinical trial) shows that early detection is crucial, as only about half of people with Alzheimer’s receive a diagnosis, delaying access to care and treatment.
Research on brain health
Research shows that adopting healthy habits — such as regular physical activity, a balanced diet, social and cognitive engagement, and routine health monitoring — can help reduce the risk of cognitive decline.
Results from the U.S. POINTER clinical trial found that two lifestyle interventions target a combination of physical activity, improving nutrition, cognitive and social challenge, and health monitoring improved cognition in older adults at risk of cognitive decline.
While both interventions improved cognition, the cognitive benefits were even greater for participants in the more structured intervention group, helping to protect thinking and memory from the normal decline that often comes with aging over the nearly two-year period of the study.
The structured group followed a program with greater structure, intensity and accountability than the self-guided group. The “recipe” they followed included:
An upcoming column will provide more information on some of the early warning signs of Alzheimer’s and dementia as well as some recommended healthy habits for brain health.
Additional Information
Details and a more in-depth description of the U.S. POINTER clinical trial study can be accessed at alz.org.
Mark A. Mahoney, Ph.D. has been a Registered Dietitian/Nutritionist for over 35 years and completed graduate studies in Nutrition & Public Health at Columbia University. He can be reached at marqos69@hotmail.com.
This article originally appeared on Tallahassee Democrat: Recipe for brain health includes physical and cognitive exercise
Reporting by Mark A. Mahoney, Guest columnist / Tallahassee Democrat
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
By Mark A. Mahoney, Guest columnist | USA TODAY Network
