A Multi-domain Lifestyle Intervention Among Aged Community-residents in Zhejiang, China (HERITAGE)

A study conducted in Finland discovered that a multidomain intervention, consisting of physical activity, nutritional guidance, cognitive training, social activities, and management of vascular risk factors, effectively decelerated cognitive decline in healthy older adults who were at an increased risk of cognitive decline. The HERITAGE study is a 2-year clustered randomized controlled trial (clustered-RCT) that explores the efficacy of a multidomain intervention among 1200 elderly residents with a higher risk of cognitive decline and dementia in Zhejiang Province, China

The effectiveness of a multidomain lifestyle intervention on the prevention of cognitive decline and dementia have not been studied in Asian elderly at high risk of dementia conversion. Dementia is caused by both nonmodifiable genetic variables, and modifiable lifestyle risk factors. While neuroimaging biomarkers have been well documented in the neurophysiology of ageing and age-associated cognitive decline, their role as surrogate endpoints and intermediate variables between multi-domain lifestyle intervention and cognitive benefits has not been studied. The current study aims to understand brain functional and structural changes that may result from a multi-domain lifestyle intervention and whether the changes correlate with improvement in cognitive function. At risk elderly aged 60-80 years will be randomly allocated to either the control arm (self-guided management) or the intervention (multi-domain lifestyle) arm, which consists of nutritional guidance, physical exercise, cognitive training and the monitoring and management of vascular and metabolic risk factors. We hypothesize that the multi-domain lifestyle intervention will promote favorable changes in cognitive function. Moreover, such intervention will slow down the progression of cerebrovascular disease and neurodegeneration in participants in the intervention arm. Findings from the present study will shed light on the biological mechanisms of age-related cognitive decline and neurodegenerative disease. Insight obtained from the study could be translated into new targets of nonpharmacological interventions which aim at the potential causal molecular pathways implicated in ageing and age-related cognitive decline. Adaption and implementation of our findings into clinical and public health practice will further promote healthy and confident ageing among Chinese elderly, to eventually expand their health span.

Cognitive Impairment, Alzheimer Disease, Vascular Cognitive Impairment, Dement, Brain Diseases, Central Nervous System Diseases, Nervous System Diseases, Neurocognitive Disorders, Mental Disorder, Cognition Disorder

Multi-domain structured intervention will be tailored by Chinese traditional and social norms and then conducted among the intervention group. That includes: Nutritional and dietary instruction, Cognitive training, Physical exercises, and Vascular risks monitoring and control.

Every 6-12 months, control group will receive a regular health education campaign to encourage a healthy lifestyle and a regular health monitoring and examination of blood pressure, weight, fasting blood glucose and liposome group

Structured Multi-domain Intervention (SMI) involves providing participants with intensive structure and support by a team of trainers to increase physical exercise, adhere to a healthy diet, cognitive training, increase intellectual/social stimulation, and better manage vascular risk factors.

In the Self-Guided Intervention (SGI), education about the importance of a healthy lifestyle as a preventive strategy and support to encourage change will be provided.

Globe cognitive performance (composite z-score) measured by comprehensive Neuropsychological Test Battery (NTB)

NTB domain-specific cognitive performance (composite z-score) for memory, executive function, attention, language, visuomotor speed and visuoconstruction.

Changes in brain structural integrity (gray matter volume loss, white matter microstructure degradation and increase of cerebrovascular markers) assessed by T1-weighted Magnetization Prepared Rapid Gradient Recalled Echo, Fluid Attenuated Inversion Recovery (FLAIR), T2-weighted, and Susceptibility Weighted Imaging sequences

Blood samples will be collected from all patients in tubes with ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid 0.1%. Changes in Novel and accessible blood markers to monitor AD- and CeVD- associated pathologies. Plasma concentrations of cardiac markers (High-sensitive cardiac troponin T (hs Troponin T), N-terminal pro b-type natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) and Growth/differentiation factor 15 (GDF 15)), and peripheral biomarkers of Aβ, tau and synaptic pathology, oxidative stress, endothelial/cardiovascular injury and degenerative protein modifications (DPMs) damaged proteins will be measured by laboratory testings.

The Clinical Dementia Rating-Sum of Boxes (CDR-SB) is scored from 0 to 18. Higher scores reflect worse performance.

Alzheimer's Disease Cooperative Study Activities of Daily Living Mild Cognitive Impairment-Activities of Daily Living Inventory (ADCS MCI-ADL)

The Alzheimer's Disease Cooperative Study Activities of Daily Living-Mild Cognitive Impairment-Activities of Daily Living Inventory (ADCS MCI-ADL) is scored from 0 to 53. Higher scores reflect better performance.

Physician-diagnosed cardiometabolic health disorders will be identified based on ICD-9 or ICD-10 codes (in any position). Any incident cardiometabolic morbidity, for example, ardiac dysrhythmias, heart failure, peripheral and visceral atherosclerosis, non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, chronic kidney disease, type 2 diabetes, hypercholesterolemia, and hypertension, will be recorded.

Grip strength will be assessed by a hydraulic hand dynamometer and expressed in absolute units(kilograms) andrelative units(kilograms divided by bodyweight).

Endurance will be assessed by the 2MW. Participants will be asked to "walk as fast as you can without running" for 2 minutes around a 50-foot course. A greater distance(m) indicates better endurance.

Lower limb strength will be assessed by 30 second sit to stand test and expressed by completion times.

The Quality of Life Questionnaire (15D) has a single index (15D score) on a 0-1 scale, which represents overall HRQoL (0 = being dead, 0.0162 = being unconscious or comatose, 1 = no problems on any dimension = 'full' HRQOL). This is calculated from the health state descriptive system by using a set of population-based preference or utility weights.

The Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS) is scored from 0 to 15. Scores of 0-4 are considered normal, 5-8 indicate mild depression; 9-11 indicate moderate depression; and 12-15 indicate severe depression.

The Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) is scored from 0 to 21. Higher scores indicate worse sleep quality.

The Leisure-Time Activities Questionnaire measures the frequency of engagement in the following activities: Health activities, Social activities, Productive activities, Fitness activities, Recreational activities, Any cognitively-stimulating activities. Scores are measured on a 3-point scale. Higher scores represent higher frequency of engagement in leisure-time activities.

The Resource Use Inventory (RUI) measures 4 domains: direct medical care, direct nonmedical care, informal care, and subjects' time use. The RUI is filled in based on the frequency and amount of resources used. If none were used, '00' is entered.

Vascular and metabolic risk factors measured by changes in blood pressure in mmHg. Incident events using serious adverse event reports will also be assessed.

Blood samples will be collected from all patients in tubes with ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid 0.1%. Lipid Profile will be expressed by total cholesterol, LDL-cholesterol, HDL-cholesterol or triglycerides in mmol/L.

Retinal fundus photographs will be taken of each eye with a nonmydriatic digital camera after dilation of pupils with 1% tropicamide eye drops. A semi-automated computer-assisted program will be used to assess retinal vascular fractal dimensions (among other parameters such as vessel caliber and vessel tortuosity) from optic disc-centered images of a randomly selected eye per participant.

Inclusion Criteria: At risk of cognitive decline: cognitive performance at the mean level or slightly lower than expected for age with no dementia (AD8>=3 and/or 5-min MoCA >, < 11) Free of physical disabilities that preclude participation in the study Willing to complete all study-related activities for 24 months Willing to be randomized to either lifestyle intervention group Exclusion Criteria: Diagnosed dementia patients Diagnosed major depression or other neuropsychological diseases Malignant diseases Symptomatic cardiovascular disease Revascularization within one year Severe loss of vision, hearing or communicative ability

School of Public Health and The Second Affiliated Hospital of School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China

Xu X, Chew KA, Wong ZX, Phua AKS, Chong EJY, Teo CKL, Sathe N, Chooi YC, Chia WPF, Henry CJ, Chew E, Wang M, Maier AB, Kandiah N, Chen CL. The SINgapore GERiatric Intervention Study to Reduce Cognitive Decline and Physical Frailty (SINGER): Study Design and Protocol. J Prev Alzheimers Dis. 2022;9(1):40-48. doi: 10.14283/jpad.2022.5.

Zhao X, Hu R, Wen H, Xu G, Pang T, He X, Zhang Y, Zhang J, Chen C, Wu X, Xu X. A voice recognition-based digital cognitive screener for dementia detection in the community: Development and validation study. Front Psychiatry. 2022 Jul 22;13:899729. doi: 10.3389/fpsyt.2022.899729. eCollection 2022.