Preventive approach for overcoming dementia

Abstract

Dementia is used as a general term to describe chronic disorders of mental processes caused by the deterioration of cognitive functions to the extent that one’s ability to perform daily activities is impaired. Currently, age is known to be the main risk factor for dementia, suggesting that the risk of being diagnosed with dementia significantly increases later in one’s life. Therefore, there are two approaches one can take when confronting dementia: to cure it when it occurs in late adulthood or to prevent the onset of symptoms beforehand. Recently, the latter strategy of delaying and preventing Alzheimer’s disease, the most prevalent form and most studied type of dementia, through both pharmaceutical and nonpharmaceutical interventions is becoming increasingly recognized. In this review, we discuss studies conducted in various fields that addresses nonpharmaceutical lifestyle interventions, including diet, physical activity, cognitive stimulation, and social engagement, and their effects in preventing and inhibiting dementia.