INTERVENTIONS FOR PREVENTING COGNITIVE DECLINE AND DEMENTIA: RECOMMENDATIONS FROM A NATIONAL ACADEMIES OF SCIENCES, ENGINEERING, AND MEDICINE STUDY

Abstract

Organizations and individuals around the world are interested in what can be done to prevent, slow, or delay clinical Alzheimer's-type dementia, mild cognitive impairment (MCI), and age-related cognitive decline (ARCD). Although many statements are made in popular media claiming success in preventing these conditions, it has been much less clear whether the evidence base supports these claims. To clarify what evidence does exist on preventive interventions, the National Institute on Aging (NIA) turned to the Minnesota Evidence-based Practice Center (EPC, via the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality) and the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine (the National Academies). As described in sessions 1–3, the Minnesota EPC conducted a systematic review on the effectiveness of interventions to prevent, delay, or slow dementia due to Alzheimer's disease, MCI, or ARCD. An expert committee convened by the National Academies informed the design of the systematic review and later used it—along with supplemental evidence and considerations—to assess the quality of existing evidence on preventive interventions. Based on this, the National Academies committee made recommendations regarding which preventive interventions are supported by sufficient evidence to be incorporated into communications with the public, as well as recommendations for future research. This session will present findings from the National Academies’ committee's evaluation of existing evidence on preventive interventions findings, as presented in the report released in June, 2017. This session will also present the committee's conclusions and recommendations regarding potential communications with the public and future research priorities.