Developments of a population‐based prospective cohort study for dementia (the Nakajima study) and an educational program for dementia experts (the NINPRO)

Abstract

AbstractAging of population is rapidly growing in Japan and all over the world. To overcome problem associated with an increase of older people with dementia, we have conducted a population‐based cohort study for dementia in Nakajima, Ishikawa, Japan (the Nakajima study) since 2006, and an educational program for development of dementia experts (the NINPRO) since 2014. The Nakajima study aimed to develop methods for early detection, prevention, and treatment of dementia; we developed a computerized assessment battery for cognition (C‐ABC) that can detect mild cognitive impairment (MCI) as well as dementia around 5 min and reported usefulness of magnetoencephalography as a tool of detection of early Alzheimer's disease (AD); we explored potentials of dietary polyphenols as preventive and therapeutic agents for AD/dementia leading to clinical trials. The NINPRO has provided activities for learning the basics, clinical practice, and care of dementia using e‐learning lectures and web‐based conferences, and has involved about 2,300 people of medical doctors, nurses, caregivers, and other professionals related to dementia. The Nakajima study and the NINPRO would contribute to improvement of prevention, early detection, medical practice, care, social welfare, and all other aspects of dementia in a super‐aged society in the middle of the 21st century.