Research shows that 30-50% of the risk for developing dementia is attributed to our lifestyle choices. This means that, by adopting healthy habits, you have the power to influence the healthy ageing of your brain, and therefore the quality of your later life. You can reduce your risk by improving your physical activity, diet, weight, blood pressure, mood, stress levels and social connections.
About this research
The Thompson Institute's ground-breaking LEISURE study supported participants to adopt lifestyle strategies shown to reduce dementia risk. Participants helped us answer important questions about the causes of cognitive decline in ageing and dementia, and how it can be prevented.
Our team assessed participants’ current dementia risk profile and offered lifestyle programs aimed at reducing any identified risk. The research will determine if improvements in memory, thinking and mood can be brought about by these lifestyle interventions, and identify brain changes associated with improvement.
We also aim to address the lack of known early indicators of cognitive change, which is important for identifying people at risk of cognitive decline and intervening early.
This is the first research program to investigate the mechanisms underlying healthy brain ageing through integrating cutting-edge neuroimaging and biomarker analysis.
The lifestyle program
After the baseline assessments, participants were randomly assigned to either a lifestyle intervention program or a dementia risk information group.
The lifestyle intervention group participated in a 12-week program in which they were guided by an expert multi-disciplinary team to adopt realistic healthy lifestyle changes.
The dementia risk information group received a comprehensive report detailing their individual dementia risk profile together with lifestyle factors to work on to reduce their risk. At the end of the 12-week information period, participants also received access to the lifestyle intervention program content material to try.
Both groups focus on healthy lifestyle changes covered four key areas:
- Physical activity
- Modified Mediterranean diet
- Sleep quality
- Mindfulness
What the research involved
Participants took part in the following assessments to help our important research and allow us to build dementia risk reports:
- Self-report questionnaire
- Mood assessment
- Cognitive assessment
- Medical assessment
- Brain imaging scan (MRI)
- Brain activity scan (EEG)
- Blood test
- Activity monitoring
About the Thompson Institute
UniSC's Thompson Institute is a world-class hub for research, teaching and clinical services for Australia's most pressing mental health issues.
This program was supported by the Wilson Foundation