Dementia is a condition that affects how we think, behave, and move, and it’s most common in older adults. But did you know that younger people can develop it too? In fact, over 28,650 people in Australia are living with younger-onset dementia today.

But there’s good news. A recent study by UNSW’s Centre for Healthy Brain Ageing (CHeBA) has shown that you can take steps to improve your brain health and possibly reduce your risk of dementia. The study, called the Maintain Your Brain trial, focused on modifiable risk factors for dementia and Alzheimer’s disease and involved over 6,000 participants aged 55 to 77.

Here’s what the study found:

What did the study look at?

Participants were split into two groups: one group received personalised online coaching to help improve their lifestyle habits, while the other group only received general information. The coaching focused on four key areas:

  • Physical activity: Regular exercise, strength training, and balance exercises
  • Nutrition: Eating a Mediterranean-style diet and reducing animal fats
  • Brain training: Engaging in cognitive activities to improve memory and attention
  • Mental health: Using strategies like cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) to manage anxiety and depression

The results: big improvements in brain health

The study showed that improving lifestyle habits can significantly slow cognitive decline and boost brain health. In fact, the group that received the personalised coaching showed the biggest improvement in cognition – meaning they were able to think, remember, and process information better over the course of three years.

Professor Henry Brodaty (pictured), the study’s lead researcher, said, “We have clear evidence that making positive lifestyle changes can delay cognitive decline and build resilience against dementia.”

Personalised prevention is key

One of the most exciting findings from the study was that younger participants (ages 55-65) showed even greater benefits. This suggests that starting prevention earlier could be especially helpful in fighting cognitive decline.

Professor Brodaty emphasised the importance of personalizing interventions, saying, “By tailoring programs to match individual risk factors, we’ve seen great results. It’s not just about following a one-size-fits-all approach.”

Why this matters for Australia

This research could have a huge impact on dementia prevention across the world. According to Ita Buttrose, chair of the CHeBA Advisory Committee, it’s time for Australia to take dementia seriously and invest in prevention.

“Australia has been a leader in prevention for issues like smoking and skin cancer,” Buttrose said. “Now, we need to step up for dementia and make prevention a national priority. This evidence shows that we can delay or even prevent dementia if we act now.”

What does this mean for you?

If you’re worried about dementia, the good news is that there are things you can do today to improve your brain health. The Maintain Your Brain study shows that with the right lifestyle changes – such as regular exercise, healthy eating, brain games, and managing stress – you can make a difference in your cognitive health and reduce your risk of dementia.

This research is a step forward in understanding how to take control of your brain health and build resilience against cognitive decline as you age. And the earlier you start, the better the results.