Lifestyle Program Boosts Cognition 55% More Than General
A two-year study in Latin America found a structured lifestyle program with coaching improved global cognition 55% more than basic health advice in older
Older adults at risk of dementia improved their memory and thinking skills after following culturally adapted lifestyle programs across 11 Latin American countries. The findings, presented at the Alzheimer's Association International Conference 2026, show participants who received structured coaching and support improved substantially more than those given general health advice.
The Alzheimer's Association-funded study, called the Latin American Initiative for Lifestyle Intervention to Prevent Cognitive Decline (LatAm-FINGERS), followed 1,065 people for two years. The research builds on similar results from the U.S. POINTER study, showing that programs combining physical activity, healthy eating, cognitive training, and social engagement can be adapted for different cultures and health systems. The study was also published in The Lancet.
Adapting Programs to Local Cultures
Lucia Crivelli, the study's lead author, said the results demonstrate for the first time in Latin America that culturally adapted lifestyle interventions can be successfully implemented across diverse communities. "We did not simply translate the U.S. POINTER model," Crivelli said. "We adapted it to local cultures and habits while preserving its core elements."
Multinational working groups tailored the program to local settings. Exercise options included familiar activities like salsa and tango, along with outdoor group workouts in public parks. Nutrition guidance modified the MIND diet to fit regional eating habits, incorporating foods like avocado, quinoa, and chia seeds. Study materials were translated, and extra assistance was provided to people with limited digital experience.
Comparing the Two Intervention Groups
Participants were randomly placed into one of two groups that differed in the intensity of the intervention and the level of ongoing support they received.
| Group | Participants | Level of Support | Key Components |
|---|---|---|---|
| Systematic Lifestyle Intervention (SLI) | 539 | Continuous coaching and structured support | Supervised exercise, nutrition counseling based on a modified MIND diet, computerized cognitive training, cardiovascular risk monitoring, and 38 group meetings for social connection. |
| Flexible Lifestyle Intervention (FLI) | 526 | Periodic education and broad recommendations | Four group meetings covering diet, physical activity, cognitive and social engagement, and vascular risk management. No continuing coaching or supervision. |
Significant Cognitive Benefits Observed
After two years, the more structured SLI program produced significantly stronger cognitive gains. Participants in the SLI group had a 55% greater improvement on a composite measure of global cognition compared with the FLI group. They also experienced significantly larger improvements in memory, executive function, and processing speed.
Laura D. Baker, a principal investigator for the U.S. POINTER study, said the results demonstrate that brain health can be improved across diverse communities with varying access to resources. "We now have a second strong finding in a completely different part of the world, which suggests that the U.S." Baker stated.
Researchers believe programs addressing several risk factors at once may offer greater benefits because Alzheimer's disease and other dementias are influenced by multiple aspects of health and lifestyle. With dementia becoming more common, the results point to the potential value of practical and adaptable lifestyle programs for reducing risk, including in low- and middle-income countries.
Heather M. Snyder of the Alzheimer's Association said a key message is that structure and social support matter. These lifestyle interventions may eventually be combined with emerging drug therapies to reduce cognitive decline and dementia risk. The LatAm-FINGERS study is part of the World-Wide FINGERS network, an international effort that grew from an earlier Finnish trial.
