Additional Insights From the U.S. POINTER Study at CTAD 2025: Heather M. Snyder, PhD

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"The big picture is [that] we saw an improvement in cognition in those in the structured group versus the self-guided, but what we’re now seeing is greater benefit in overall health. It may be looking at the sleep linkages or the neurovascular linkages, for instance, that may be driving that cognitive benefit."

The Alzheimer’s Association U.S. POINTER trial (NCT03688126) tested 2 forms of a multicomponent healthy lifestyle intervention, 1 structured and 1 self-guided, that varied in the level of support, intensity, and accountability among patients with Alzheimer disease (AD). The program included physical activity, adherence to the MIND diet, cognitive training, and other intellectually and socially engaging activities. Previously reported findings showed that participants who received the structured intervention demonstrated greater improvement in global cognition compared with those in the self-guided arm across 2 years.¹

Newly presented results at the 18th Clinical Trials on Alzheimer’s Disease (CTAD) Conference, held December 1-4, 2025, in San Diego, California, revealed that the lifestyle intervention could also improve blood pressure regulation and reduce hourly sleep apnea respiratory events. Researchers also reported that the intervention may mitigate the cognitive impact of certain AD–related brain changes. Since dysregulated cerebral blood flow and sleep disturbances are considered risk factors for cognitive decline and dementia, including AD, these new findings highlight additional areas in which the structured intervention may provide benefit.²

In an interview with NeurologyLive^® at the conference, coauthor of the study Heather M. Snyder, PhD, the senior vice president of medical and scientific relations at the Alzheimer's Association, highlighted the latest findings from the U.S. POINTER study. She explained that the participants in the structured intervention arm showed greater improvements in cognition, blood flow regulation, and sleep apnea reduction compared with those in the self-guided arm. Snyder also noted that imaging findings suggested that individuals with higher baseline risk may experience even greater cognitive benefit.

Click here to view more coverage of CTAD 2025.

REFERENCES
1. U.S. Pointer Study Shows Structured Lifestyle Program Targeting Multiple Risk Factors Improves Cognition in Older Adults at Risk of Cognitive Decline. News Release. Alzheimer’s Association. Published July 28, 2025. Accessed December 2, 2025. https://aaic.alz.org/releases-2025/us-pointer-study-results-announced.asp
2. The U.S. POINTER Structured Healthy Lifestyle Program — Previously Shown to Improve Cognition — May Also Improve Sleep Apnea, Blood Pressure Regulation, and Cognitive Resilience. News release. Alzheimer’s Association. December 2, 2025. Accessed December 2, 2025. https://www.alz.org/news/2025/us-pointer-healthy-lifestyle-program-may-improve-sleep-apnea-blood-pressure-cognitive-resilience