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. 2024 Oct;57(6):442-446.
doi: 10.1007/s00391-024-02337-w. Epub 2024 Aug 22.

[Prevention of cognitive decline in old age : Selected primary preventive approaches]

[Article in German]
Carolin Steinmetz  1 , Marlena Schnieder  1   2 , Stephanie Heinemann  1 , Anne Linke  1 , Christine A F von Arnim  3
Affiliations

[Prevention of cognitive decline in old age : Selected primary preventive approaches]

[Article in German]
Carolin Steinmetz et al. Z Gerontol Geriatr. 2024 Oct.

Erratum in

  • Erratum zu: Prävention des kognitiven Abbaus im Alter.
    Steinmetz C, Schnieder M, Heinemann S, Linke A, von Arnim CAF. Steinmetz C, et al. Z Gerontol Geriatr. 2025 Jul;58(4):347. doi: 10.1007/s00391-024-02364-7. Z Gerontol Geriatr. 2025. PMID: 39254831 German. No abstract available.

Abstract
in English, German

There are currently 1.8 million people in Germany affected by dementia. Despite advances in research and new treatments, there is no cure for most cases of dementia. The evidence regarding the prevention of cognitive decline in old age is unclear. In addition to the optimized adjustment of drug treatment (e.g., arterial hypertension and diabetes mellitus), preventive measures that can be influenced by individuals themselves play an important role. These include areas such as physical and cognitive activity, remedying hearing loss, sleep, social contacts, abstaining from alcohol as well as tobacco consumption and nutrition. Multimodal concepts and digital approaches appear to be promising and an increase in evidence is expected in the coming years.

Derzeit sind 1,8 Millionen Menschen in Deutschland von einer Demenz betroffen. Trotz Forschungsfortschritten und neuen Therapien gibt es für die meisten Demenzerkrankungen keine Heilung. Die Evidenzlage bezüglich der Prävention von kognitivem Abbau im Alter ist nicht eindeutig. Neben einer optimierten Einstellung von medikamentösen Behandlungen (z. B. arterieller Hypertonie und Diabetes mellitus) spielen selbstbeeinflussbare Präventionsmaßnahmen eine wichtige Rolle. Hierzu zählen Bereiche wie körperliche und kognitive Aktivität, Behebung von Schwerhörigkeit, Schlaf, soziale Kontakte, Alkohol- als auch Tabakkonsumverzicht und Ernährung. Multimodale Konzepte und digitale Ansätze erscheinen vielversprechend, und ein Evidenzzuwachs wird in den kommenden Jahren erwartet.

Keywords: Cognition; Dementia; Diabetes mellitus; Hypertension; Lifestyle.

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References

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