Alzheimer's Scientist on What the Disease Is, Its Treatments, and How It Can Be Prevented

Alzheimer's specialist John DenBoer, whose experiences and knowledge of the disease inform his new Netflix documentary This is Dementia , discusses with Newsweek what the average person can do to lower the odds of developing the disorder. "It's important for us not to live in fear or worry," DenBoer states. "Instead, we should use that emotion to educate and empower ourselves and, most importantly, to take action against this disease via early identification and intervention." Reducing stigma, boosting awareness, and having honest dialogues with loved ones are vital initial steps, according to DenBoer. He attributes dementia's rising prevalence to population growth, expanding life expectancy, and baby boomers entering into the phase of mild cognitive impairment and dementia. DenBoer suggests efforts to create a cure have been obstructed "by a misunderstanding of the true causal mechanisms of the disease and neuroimaging technology that is still in its relative infancy." He adds that treating dementia "involves approaching it as a progressive disease that begins with mild cognitive impairment, the clinical precursor to dementia. It's at this point we need to intervene." DenBoer's advice for average people is to educate themselves, noting that "a combination of aerobic and cognitive exercise is really beneficial."