That spectator motivated Tardif to volunteer for the first American experiment of its kind. Known as POINTER They think that computer-based mental health practices are similar to video games, with a healthy diet, exercise, and social interactions at risk for dementia.

Butler Hospital and Miriam Hospital, both jointly run one of the five POINTER study centers in Providence, nationally. Hiring volunteers From Great Boston and Rhode Island.

“Maybe I can do something to reduce my chances of getting it,” Tardif said. “Or if [researchers] Get something from someone else who can help me, that’s great. ”

Ann It is estimated that there are 5.8 million Americans. With Alzheimer’s – This number is expected to increase dramatically with older children. But hope is fading Inevitable, effective treatment for Alzheimer’sStudies examining the immune system and lifestyle of computer-generated brainstorms have created a new emergency.

“We will not have a blockbuster treatment for Alzheimer’s soon,” said Dr. Stephen Salowai, a professor of neurology and psychiatry at Brown University and co-director of the Rhode Island Experimental Center. .

The POINTER experiment aims to enroll 2,000 people in New England, including about 400. Volunteers should be 60-79 years old, generally exercise less than three times a week and have low blood pressure, cholesterol or blood sugar, or some family history memory problems.

Participants were assigned to one of two groups to receive inter-structured group instruction and receive regular training Mediterranean type diet Approaches to prevent cognitive decline in fruits and vegetables, and social interactions.

“If we can control the risk factors for heart disease and stroke, we will make your mind healthier,” Salloway said.

They are also required to comply with certain computerized brain-training exercises and prescribed aerobics, strength training and stretching.

The other group will receive more general information about exercise, good nutrition, and the benefits of participating in social and mental stimulation activities, such as new skills or hobbies.

Researchers evaluate both groups of volunteers every six years for two years, measuring changes in cognitive and physical health.

Brain exercises include a computer software program called BrainHQ, which is designed to be particularly challenging. Using a video game-like approach, it tests and strengthens participants’ attention, brain speed, memory, space exploration, and human abilities.

It is expected to receive a $ 35 million POINTER study from the Alzheimer’s Association to recruit and run test sites. Up to $ 47 million more From the National Institute of Aging to conduct a brain scan of participants. The poems, It is expected to provide important clues as to why interventions are effective or not.

“By training our brains … there is a chance that this could change some biology but we don’t have enough evidence to make a strong statement on this matter,” he said. Plada Day, He is the Deputy Director of the Department of Behavioral and Social Research at the National Institute of Aging, and oversees many of the Institute’s research on dementia. “So we need this kind of research to answer these kinds of questions.”

Over the years, there has been mixed evidence that some forms of cognitive training may be more effective in preventing cognitive impairment than others. For example, some studies have suggested Doing crossword puzzles or other problem-solving puzzles It may help, others Small results were obtained.

But the results from a well-known study Active experiment, Healthy seniors who received special mental training, known as process speed, found that their risk of developing dementia after 10 years was 29% lower than that of the control group.

(The speed of the process requires participants to see the target at the same time in the middle of the screen – even when they blink too short on the screen.)

Various mental exercises can help with daily activities such as driving, remembering people’s names and finding car keys.

Plued, from the Aging Institute, said the agency is funding various initiatives to find out which activities can be most effective.

“Some people who want to do this kind of work may choose to do it individually, and they don’t feel comfortable in a group, and other people don’t do it unless they are in a group,” he said.

“Let’s try to do this kind of training in different ways and see which ones to pull. And it may not be one-size-fits-all.

Working on that theory, the Pulud section recently funded a small one-year study in California, which tested the effectiveness of mindfulness exercises in a previously popular community-based fitness program.

POSit Science was awarded $ 465,000 for developing a brain development program with the San Francisco YMCA.

“The purpose of this grant is to take the known science of reducing the risk of forgetfulness and build a curriculum that can be run at any YMCA, on the ground floor of the church, or at any health-based community center across the country,” he said. Henry Mahncke, CEO of Posit Science.

Another new experiment is the PACT, which is being funded by the Florida Institute of Aging. The $ 44 million five-year trial, attended by 7,600 people, explores computerized brain training to reduce the risk of cognitive impairment, including Alzheimer’s disease.

Everyone is supporting the National Institute of Aging. 423 active clinical trials on Alzheimer’s disease And related forgetfulness problems are more than double that of non-pharmaceutical interventions compared to drugs such as the YMCA and Rhode Island.

Heather Snyder, According to the Vice President of Medical and Scientific Relations of the Alzheimer’s Association, both approaches can be effective.

“Anyone who has lived with someone with Alzheimer’s in their family knows the challenges the family faces, to improve the quality of life but to prioritize the problem, so people can do things with their families and have the best quality of life they can,” she said.

That sentiment agrees with Tardiff, North Atalborough’s grandfather, who lost his mother to Alzheimer’s and is taking part in the Rhode Island POINTER experiment.

A popular part of the experiment was a group discussion with other volunteers, he said, adding healthy recipes such as spinach to fruit desserts and encouraging them to stick to the program when they are tempted to skip certain activities.

“I’m trying to be better at getting rid of Alzheimer’s, and finding these people will help me along the way,” he said. “I hope it helps my mind.”

You can find Kay Lazar on. kay.lazar@globe.com Follow her on Twitter. @GlobeKayLazar.