Reducing Dementia Risk - Anyone keen to participate in a free online course?

[RGAU]

A free online course from the University of Tasmania has just been rated in the top 15 online courses of all time by Class Central (from around 13,000 courses). It is about examining the latest evidence around dementia risk reduction. It is available worldwide at no cost. If anyone is keen to join me you can enrol now at mooc2.utas.edu.au/

[jeffcobb Ambassador]

Kind of like closing the barn door after all the cows have escaped for some of us, no?

[RGAU in reply to jeffcobb]

Hi Jeff - the course apparently also has good information that might be of benefit for those living with dementia (as well as those looking to reduce their risk of developing dementia).

[jeffcobb Ambassador in reply to RGAU]

Um OK. I would like to see the sources or science on anything claiming to prevent dementia. I know nutritional fans have their own ideas about the magic of foods and such but maybe engineering left me too....pramgatic shall we say. I just...can't make the logical connection between something I eat resulting in fewer to no protein deposits in the brain of someone already disposed to dementia in the first place.

Thats not to say nutritional stuff has no use IMO; I think it provides a form of hope for people already quite bereft of it so there is that angle.

[RGAU in reply to jeffcobb]

The course is a university-run course and it states that it is based on the latest evidence - so I am assuming this would be research published in peer-reviewed journals. Here is a copy of the course outline (copied from the site) -

Course Outline

Module 1 – Can Dementia Be Prevented?

Key concepts in dementia prevention

Definition of dementia and introduction to the diseases that cause dementia

The impact of dementia across the globe

The major non-modifiable and modifiable risk factors for dementia

The impact of genetics on dementia risk

How dementia risk is measured at individual and population levels

Module 2 – Dementia Risk - It's Not All in Your Head

Evidence supporting links between key vascular risk factors and dementia

The impact of physical activity and diet on dementia risk

The impact of smoking and alcohol on dementia risk

Module 3 – A Healthy and Active Mind

Evidence supporting links between key lifestyle factors and risk of dementia

Impact of depression on dementia risk

Impact of education on dementia risk

Concept of cognitive reserve

Module 4 – Interventions for Prevention

Key strategies for prevention at the individual and population level

Encouraging healthy behaviours

What you can do to reduce your risk of dementia

Current research initiatives in dementia prevention