How to Prevent Dementia: Understanding and Managing Cognitive Decline

by Richard Restak

A comprehensive guide to preventing Alzheimer’s and other thinking disorders from bestselling author and renowned authority Dr. Richard Restak!

How to Prevent Dementia begins with the principle that the more we know about dementia, the easier it is to prevent or delay it. A better foundation of knowledge also helps people to understand and interact thoughtfully with family members and other loved ones who may have Alzheimer’s and other dementias.

Dr. Restak examines the basic thinking of normal everyday people and progresses to people with thinking disorders. In understanding that dementias exist along a continuum, starting with perfectly normal performance and ending at the extremes of mental dysfunction, we learn how our attention to everyday habits, choices, and behaviors can affect where we are located along that continuum, as well as whether or how we will progress from one part to another.

As can be gleaned from recent reports, researchers may be on the cusp of a meaningful treatment or cure for Alzheimer’s. Dr. Restak also helps the reader to grasp both the positive and challenging consequences of the new medications that will soon be available.

At the end of the book, the reader will understand what practical steps can be taken each day to lessen the odds of dementia and how to take advantage of new medications, while gaining a better understanding of thinking and what it is like to have it falter.

Genres: Nonfiction, Health, Science, Brain

216 pages, Hardcover

Published October 17, 2023

About the author

Richard M. Restak M.D. is an award-winning neuroscientist, neuropsychiatrist and writer. The best-selling author of nineteen acclaimed books about the brain, he has also penned dozens of articles for a variety of publications, including The New York Times, The Washington Post, Los Angeles Times, and USA Today. A fellow of the American Psychiatric Association, the American Academy of Neurology, and the American Neuropsychiatric Association, he lives and practices in Washington, D.C.

Reviews

[Bookewyfe · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book helped me understand more about the disease and gave me a more positive way to think about it regarding wellness and prevention. It was also nice to see that the author strongly believes big breakthroughs will happen soon. I also now understand a little more about my father and some of the things that could’ve possibly contributed to his Alzheimer’s. I loved how the author brought up the Hogeweyk Dementia Village in the Netherlands!

Now, I need a book to help me understand the amyloid protein plaques and neurofibrillary tangles. These were discovered by Alois Alzheimer in 1906.

Link about the village here:
https://hogeweyk.dementiavillage.com/

[J Kromrie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for this eARC.

How to Prevent Dementia is a beacon of clarity in the often murky waters of cognitive health. Dr. Richard Restak, a seasoned neurologist, takes us on an illuminating journey through the labyrinth of our minds, offering practical insights and actionable steps to safeguard our brain health.

From the very first page, Dr. Restak's prose is like a gentle hand guiding us through the complexities of dementia. He demystifies the science, making it accessible to readers of all backgrounds. His approach is both compassionate and empowering, emphasizing that knowledge is our greatest ally in the fight against cognitive decline.

The book is structured thoughtfully, progressing from the basics of normal cognition to the intricacies of thinking disorders. Dr. Restak reminds us that dementia exists on a continuum, and our daily choices play a pivotal role in determining where we stand along this spectrum. Whether it's our diet, exercise routine, or social interactions, every decision matters.

One of the book's strengths lies in its balanced perspective on medication. Dr. Restak acknowledges the promise of new drugs while also highlighting their limitations. He doesn't shy away from discussing the challenges and potential side effects, ensuring that readers are well-informed.

The heart of the book lies in its practical advice. Dr. Restak encourages us to cultivate healthy habits: better sleep, regular exercise, intellectual stimulation, and maintaining social connections. These seemingly small steps can yield significant dividends in the long run.

[Luna Kari · Rating 4 out of 5]

Well written and easily digestible. He breaks down theories in an easy to understand way for the general public who are not experts in this field. A couple sections seemed unnecessary or didn't have a final point/conclusion. Was interesting to learn a brief overview of how the brain works and the different kinds of memory. He also did a good job of making it apparent that there is no one thing you can do to prevent it, but rather a handful of activities and lifestyle changes that can result in a lower chance of experiencing dementia. I.e.
Recalling and discussing formative moments and memories
Brain games, i.e. connections
Reading, esp fiction
Maintaining your hearing
Avoiding long periods of social isolation
Eating healthy, ketosis or fasting
Exercising, both forms

Lastly I think the author did a great job at citing studies, while also pointing out the potential flaws or variables that can't be accounted for.

[Andrea Wenger · Rating 5 out of 5]

Exploring dementia as a continuum shaped by lifestyle, this book emphasizes knowledge as the key to prevention and compassionate care. Illuminating the path from normal cognition to disorders like Alzheimer's, it provides practical insights to reduce risk, harness new treatments, and more deeply understand the experience of fading cognition.

The book is engaging and easy to read, providing new insights into this important field. I especially appreciated how the author shows that the dichotomy between psychiatry and neuroscience is a false one. Disorders of the brain are just that, and it's imperative to treat the patient holistically.

Thanks, NetGalley, for the ARC I received. This is my honest and voluntary review.

[Rachel]

Less technical than other books but covers the core research and potential ways to modify risk. Nothing groundbreaking here if you’re up to date on this topic, but will now point to my obsession about this topic as one of my tools to prevent dementia as recommended by the author. Def reinforced some items I’m currently trying to address.

[Alex Wilkins · Rating 4 out of 5]

A useful guide and starting point to understanding mental decline and dementia. A lot of this stuff isn't new if you vaguely follow the science already, but it's impressively comprehensive for its short length and I still learnt a fair bit of new stuff despite thinking I wouldn't. Lots of nice and sweet little anecdotes to make things less dry.

[Julie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Straightforward and understandably written primer as much about dementia as about how to prevent dementia. Quite a bit of information to absorb in 192 pages but if you take it slow you'll come away with perhaps less fear of an aging brain and a few good ideas about how to keep your own brain in as good a shape as your genetics might allow.

[FellowBibliophile KvK · Rating 5 out of 5]

Superb examination of the biology (causes, symptoms, prognosis, progression) of the dementias, the history of the evolution of the understanding of dementia, as well as concise suggestions for dealing with it.

Also discusses elements (exercise, nutrition, reading, nature) that are associated with reducing the risk of developing dementia.

[Barbara · Rating 3 out of 5]

Much stronger in terms of an overview of the subject than on managing (or prevention) other than the widely known basics. His explanation of his main tip for exercising your memory - using a picture story to aid in memorizing a list - was so confusing I wouldn't have understood it if I hadn't already seen it in another resource.

[lizzi · Rating 5 out of 5]

"How to Prevent Dementia" was a very interesting read! I hadn't done a lot of studying on this topic but am obsessed with brain health. I felt that this was a really interesting way to look at how we function within our brains, how we operate, and what we can do to prevent further harm.

[Judy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Quite interesting book with some overlap with a previous book which I read of his. His hope for the future is encouraging and his observations about how to treat people with dementia is quite compassionate.

[Correen · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good introduction to the topic. The general information was well presented. Some of the suggestions seemed to be more of that he could think of in the moment than a careful consideration.

[David Edmonds · Rating 5 out of 5]

Useful explanations and some good tips for maintaining a healthy brain

[Cherie Dellwo · Rating 5 out of 5]

Giving this a five as I think the author covers the topic well and in a very understandable way. It was very readable and informative.

[Denise · Rating 4 out of 5]

This comprehensive guide is engaging and easy to read. Who knew negative thinking can lead to cognitive decline? Chin up!

[John Wylie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an excellent, well researched and very readable book on dementia.
Highly recommended!

[Cathy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Easy for a layperson to understand and hopeful, and available in my local library, so it checks all the boxes for learning something about a subject that has unfortunately become relevant.

[Emily Carhan · Rating 5 out of 5]

A very helpful book that expands on dementia and the different forms and often overlooked symptoms. Lots of actionable takeaways here for lifestyle changes. I was blown away by the volume of stats in here and just how shocking they were. Recommend for anyone as this disease unfortunately touches far too many lives.

[Victoria Burley · Rating 3 out of 5]

Comprehensive descriptions of types of dementia, diagnoses and current understanding of underlying pathology. Despite the title, relatively thinner on preventative approaches.