"Dementia, Overcome with Exercise and Social Activities... Social Capital Also Needed"

2023 Global Dementia Conference
Co-hosted by the Korean Dementia Association and the Cognitive Intervention Therapy Association

Yoshida Katsuaki, Director of Tsurumi Rehabilitation Hospital in Yokohama, Japan, is giving a lecture at the '2023 Global Dementia Conference' held on the 22nd at the Chosun Hotel in Jung-gu, Seoul. Photo by Kang Jin-hyung aymsdream@

"Active social engagement is essential for dementia prevention. 'Moving your legs frequently' is also important."

On the 22nd, Katsuaki Yoshida, director of Yokohama Tsurumi Rehabilitation Hospital, emphasized this at the '2023 Global Dementia Conference' held at the Westin Chosun Hotel in Jung-gu, Seoul. He highlighted the need for active social interaction and exercise to prevent dementia. Director Yoshida is an expert who has treated dementia patients in Japan for many years and treats dementia patients without relying on medication.

The conference, jointly hosted by the Korean Dementia Association and the Cognitive Intervention Therapy Association, was organized to discuss how to prepare for the changing environment of dementia treatment during Dementia Overcoming Week. According to the Korean Dementia Association, new dementia drugs such as lecanemab and donanemab, which work by removing beta-amyloid accumulated in the brain, have been developed and are awaiting approval from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Along with this, as cognitive intervention therapy expands, the environment for managing dementia patients is also changing. Cognitive intervention therapy is a treatment method that stimulates and trains the cognitive functions of dementia patients without using medication.

Director Yoshida explained that dementia can be prevented through active social relationships. This is because reclusive elderly people who are socially isolated have fewer opportunities for interaction, leading to a higher incidence of dementia. Increasing opportunities to go out, such as participating in local events, can be helpful.

Light exercise like walking is much more beneficial for dementia prevention than doing nothing at all. According to Director Yoshida, over 75% of all hospitalized patients in Japan are elderly aged 65 or older. A characteristic of these patients is that many are bedridden, and continuous bed rest makes the onset of dementia more likely. Exercise combined with cognitive activities, known as 'Cogni Walk,' is also a good preventive method. Cogni Walk is a term combining 'Cognition' and 'Exercise,' referring to activities that stimulate the brain, such as playing word chain games, while walking.

Having interests that can be enjoyed consistently is also good for dementia prevention. This method stimulates the right brain through continuous hobbies to prevent degeneration. Examples of hobbies include drawing and listening to music. Feeling a sense of fulfillment through volunteer work is another method. However, all activities must be maintained consistently.

Additionally, ▲avoiding overeating ▲avoiding greasy foods ▲consuming fish, green and yellow vegetables, and fruits ▲reducing meat and dairy products ▲getting sufficient sleep were suggested as lifestyle habits for dementia prevention.

Above all, he emphasized the importance of 'social capital,' which is the asset of community members cooperating with each other. He cited the example of Rosette Village in Pennsylvania, USA. This village, with a population of just over 1,000, had a heart disease mortality rate one-seventh that of other areas, thanks to a community where members could always share their concerns. Director Yoshida concluded his lecture by stressing, "Dementia patients should not be cared for by individuals or families alone, but by the entire community."

Professor Arthur Kramer of Northeastern University is giving a lecture at the '2023 Global Dementia Conference' held on the 22nd at the Chosun Hotel in Jung-gu, Seoul. Photo by Jinhyung Kang aymsdream@

Before Director Yoshida, Professor Arthur Kramer from Northeastern University in the United States also emphasized the importance of exercise. Professor Kramer stated, "Previous studies showed that exercising about three times a week for six months, such as walking or stretching, had a positive effect on improving cognitive function," and explained, "(For dementia prevention) there are many factors, but among them, intellectual activities and physical exercise are important."

Exercise improves brain cognitive function and delays dementia onset through its effect on the hippocampus, a part of the brain located inside the temporal lobe, known to play a crucial role in learning and memory. Professor Kramer explained, "Walking exercise improves cognitive ability by stimulating the brain, which slows the aging process in the hippocampus."

Additionally, at the forum, Dr. Mawan Saba Barrow from the Neurology Research Institute (BNI) discussed the development process and research trends of dementia drugs, and Dongwon Yang, chairman of the Korean Dementia Association and professor of neurology at Seoul St. Mary's Hospital, lectured on the current status and implications of dementia in Korea. Companies developing dementia-related digital therapeutics (DTx), such as Rowan, Neurofit, and Imocog, also introduced their development status.

Yang Dong-won, Chairman of the Korean Dementia Association, along with key guests and speakers, are attending the '2023 Global Dementia Conference' held on the 22nd at the Chosun Hotel in Jung-gu, Seoul, and are taking a commemorative photo. Photo by Kang Jin-hyung aymsdream@

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.