The Design and Progress of a Multidomain Lifestyle Intervention to Improve Brain Health in Middle-Aged Persons to Reduce later Alzheimer’s Disease Risk: The Gray Matters Randomized Trial

Authors

Maria C. Norton, Utah State UniversityFollow
Christine J. Clark, Utah State University
Joann T. Tschanz, Utah State UniversityFollow
Phillip Hartin, University of Ulster
Elizabeth B. Fauth, Utah State UniversityFollow
Julie A. Gast, Utah State UniversityFollow
Travis E. Dorsch, Utah State UniversityFollow
Heidi Wengreen, Utah State UniversityFollow
Chris Nugent, University of Ulster
W. David Robinson, Utah State University
Michael Lefevre, Utah State UniversityFollow
Sally McClean, University of Ulster
Ian Cleland, University of Ulster
Sydney Y. Schaefer, Utah State University
Sheryl Aguilar, Utah State University

Document Type

Article

Journal/Book Title/Conference

Alzheimer's & Dementia: Translational Research & Clinical Interventions

Volume

1

Issue

1

Publisher

John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

Publication Date

5-16-2015

First Page

53

Last Page

62

Abstract

Introduction: Most Alzheimer's disease (AD) prevention studies focus on older adults or persons with existing cognitive impairment. This study describes the design and progress of a novel pilot intervention, the Gray Matters study. Methods: This proof-of-concept randomized controlled trial tests an evidence-based multidomain lifestyle intervention in 146 persons aged 40 to 64 years, in northern Utah. Data collectors were blinded to participants' randomization to treatment (n = 104) or control (n = 42). Intervention targeted physical activity, food choices, social engagement, cognitive simulation, sleep quality, and stress management, and uses a custom smartphone application, activity monitor, and educational materials. Secondary outcomes include biomarkers, body mass index, cognitive testing, and psychological surveys. Results: Midway through the study, achievements include a 98.7% retention rate, a 96% rate of compliance with app data entry, and positive trends in behavioral change. Discussion: Participants were empowered, learning that lifestyle might impact AD risk, exhibiting positive behavioral changes thus far.

Comments

The Published article can be found at https://doi.org/10.1016/j.trci.2015.05.001

Recommended Citation

Norton, M. C., *Clark, C., Tschanz, J. T., Hartin, P., Fauth, E. B., Gast, J. A., Dorsch, T. E., Wengreen, H., Nugent, C., Robinson, D., Lefevre, M., McClean, S., Cleland, I., Schaeffer, S. Y., & Aguilar, S. (2015). The design and progress of a multidomain lifestyle intervention to improve brain health in middle-aged persons to reduce later Alzheimer's disease risk: The Gray Matters randomized trial. Alzheimer's & Dementia: Translational Research & Clinical Interventions, 1(1), 53-62.