Independent Panel Finds Lack of Evidence for Ways to Prevent Alzheimer's Disease

According to an independent panel commissioned by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) this week, the following consensus is something I've been hearing much of lately. Simply put, there is nothing new on the Alzheimer's horizon and the focus will now change on caregiving issues. See below for more:

An independent panel commissioned by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) this week determined that modifiable factors, including mental stimulation, exercise and dietary supplements, have not been shown to delay the onset and/or reduce the severity of cognitive decline or Alzheimer's disease. The panel made its statement at the conclusion of the NIH State-of-the-Science Conference: Preventing Alzheimer's Disease and Cognitive Decline after reviewing available evidence from literature, expert presentations and audience input.
"We wish we could tell people that taking a pill or doing a puzzle every day would prevent this terrible disease, but current evidence doesn't support
this," concluded Martha L. Daviglus, M.D., Ph.D., conference panel chair and professor of preventive medicine at Northwestern University, Chicago.
According to the panel, limited progress to understand how to delay or prevent these conditions stems from the lack of a consistent definition of what constitutes Alzheimer's disease and cognitive decline, an incomplete understanding of the natural history of the disease, and limited understanding of the aging process in general.
While the panel found that there currently is no evidence of "even moderate scientific quality" supporting any modifiable factors such as supplement intake, use of prescription or non-prescription drugs, diet, exercise or social engagement as way to reduce an individual's risk for Alzheimer's disease, and "low-grade" evidence showing weak associations between many lifestyle choices and reduced risk, it said that some of these interventions "are not necessarily harmful and may confer other benefits."
Richard E. Powers, M.D., chairman of AFA's Medical Advisory Board, called the process "thoughtful, balanced and inconclusive."
"While the panel determined that the published data is not adequate to tell Americans that engaging in certain activities will prevent or reduce the risk for dementia, it was careful to avoid any message that suggested individuals should abandon good health habits such as exercise, weight control or management of hypertension.
AFA's message remains unchanged: Americans should embrace health behaviors that have multiple other proven health benefits," he said.
In addition, Powers said, "It is clear that preventions and possible cures for dementia are unlikely to occur in the near future. The nation must prepare for a decade of care and expand the focus on caregiver issues while we increase the investment in dementia research."