5 Lifestyle Changes Slow Cognitive Decline in Seniors: Latam-Fingers Study

The two-year clinical trial enrolled volunteers from Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Ecuador, Mexico, Peru, the Dominican Republic, and Uruguay. Researchers selected individuals who showed a cognitive performance lower than expected for their age alongside recognized risk factors for dementia. Participants were split into two distinct groups to test the effectiveness of a multi-domain intervention strategy.

One group followed a structured program combining physical activity, a healthy diet, strict management of cardiovascular risk factors, cognitive training, and socialization activities. The second group received only general guidance on maintaining healthy habits. While both cohorts showed improvement in cognitive function by the end of the monitoring period, the structured intervention group advanced at a significantly higher rate across global cognition and specific abilities like memory and executive functions.

Implementing Multi-Domain Lifestyle Interventions in Latin America

The research adapts a model originally developed in Finland, marking the first demonstration in large scale that a multi-domain intervention adapted to the Latin American reality can slow cognitive decline in a population historically underrepresented in dementia prevention studies. The authors noted that the strategy also works in middle-income countries characterized by significant social inequality and high rates of unmanaged cardiovascular risks.

Aqui partimos de uma realidade diferente da de países desenvolvidos. Temos mais fatores de risco cardiovasculares mal controlados e menos acesso a programas de promoção da saúde. Isso faz com que nossa janela de oportunidade para prevenção seja enorme— Paulo Caramelli, Neurologist and Professor at the Federal University of Minas Gerais (UFMG)

Caramelli, a Brazilian coordinator for the study, explained that dementia often stems from multiple biological processes occurring at the same time. The intervention tackles several of these mechanisms simultaneously rather than relying on isolated lifestyle tweaks.

Adaptations and Localized Dietary Guidelines

To fit regional realities, investigators tailored the program requirements to local conditions. In Belo Horizonte, nutritional guidance was adjusted to account for traditional diets higher in meats and fats alongside limited access to certain foods like fish, while group physical activities and socialization measures achieved high acceptance among Brazilian participants.

Não se trata de recomendar isoladamente que a pessoa faça exercício ou tenha uma alimentação melhor. O que demonstramos é que o efeito aparece quando os cinco pilares são trabalhados simultaneamente— Paulo Caramelli, Neurologist and Professor at the Federal University of Minas Gerais (UFMG)

According to geriatrician Claudia Kimie Suemoto, a professor at the University of São Paulo (USP) medical school and executive committee member, the magnitude of the benefit called the team’s attention.

O efeito observado foi quase três vezes maior do que o encontrado em estudos semelhantes realizados em outros países— Claudia Kimie Suemoto, Geriatrician and Professor at the University of São Paulo (USP)