This study is in progress, not accepting new patients

Can Lifestyle Changes Reverse Early-Stage Alzheimer's Disease

a study on Alzheimer's Disease

Summary

Eligibility
for people ages 45-90 (full criteria)
Location
at Sausalito, California and other locations
Dates
study started
estimated completion
Principal Investigator
by Dean Ornish, MD

Description

Summary

The objective of this study is to determine if comprehensive lifestyle changes may slow, stop, or reverse the progression of early-stage Alzheimer's disease.

Official Title

Lifestyle Intervention for Early Alzheimer's Disease

Details

51 patients who have early Alzheimer's disease (MoCA above 17) in the San Francisco Bay area were enrolled over time and are randomly assigned to one of two groups.

After baseline testing, the first group then receives this lifestyle medicine program for 20 weeks, four hours/day, three days/week (all done virtually via Zoom since March 2020 due to COVID-19).

The second group will not receive the lifestyle program for 20 weeks and will serve as a randomized control group during this phase of the study.

Both groups will be re-tested after 20 weeks.

Then, the second group will "cross over" and receive this lifestyle medicine program for 20 weeks and the first group will continue the lifestyle program for 20 additional weeks. After a total of 40 weeks, both groups will be re-tested again and compared. Those initially randomly assigned to the control group will receive the intervention for 40 weeks and then be re-tested at that time.

Keywords

Alzheimer Disease, Mild Cognitive Impairment, Lifestyle medicine

Eligibility

You can join if…

Open to people ages 45-90

  • Current diagnosis of mild dementia or mild cognitive impairment due to Alzheimer's disease/process (McKhann and Albert criteria), with MoCA score above 17 (i.e., 18 or higher)
  • Willingness and ability to participate in all aspects of the intervention
  • Availability of spouse or caregiver who can provide collateral information and assist with study adherence

You CAN'T join if...

  • severe dementia
  • physical disability that precludes regular exercise
  • clear evidence for other causes of neurodegeneration or dementia, e.g., severe cerebrovascular disease, Parkinson's disease
  • significant ongoing psychiatric or substance abuse problems

Locations

  • Preventive Medicine Research Institute
    Sausalito California 94965 United States
  • Renown Health Institute of Neurosciences
    Reno Nevada 89502 United States

Lead Scientist at UCSF

Details

Status
in progress, not accepting new patients
Start Date
Completion Date
(estimated)
Sponsor
Preventive Medicine Research Institute
ID
NCT04606420
Study Type
Interventional
Participants
About 51 people participating
Last Updated