Are lifestyle changes key to victory over Alzheimer's?

It's too early to say they've found a cure, but there's reason to hope scientists are on to something when it comes to Alzheimer's disease.

At the very least, research begun by UCLA scientists should be expanded to many more test subjects.

The California team subjected 10 Alzheimer's patients to a personized regimen including a comprehensive diet change, brain stimulation, exercise, sleep optimization, specific drugs and vitamins and other steps affecting brain chemistry.

Of the 10, six who had stopped working or had been struggling with their jobs, were able to return to work. One, who had late-stage Alzheimer's, did not improve.

Nine out fo the 10 patients saw memory improvements within three to six months, but the lead researcher said the treatment was complex and none of the patients were able to stick to the entire protocol, especially the lifestyle and diet changes, as well as taking multiple pills each day.

And, perhaps Mom and Dad shouldn't be so critical of junior when he spends too much time playing video games.

We're not saying people should be encouraged to become couch potatoes, but another bit of research indicates playing videogames may have a part in keeping us sharp in our declining years.

Anyone who has spent much time online has probably seen advertising for the brain training program, "Lumosity," a "cognitive training program" that claims to "improve various core cognitive skills, including memory, attention, processing speed, mental flexibility, spatial orientation, logical reasoning and problem-solving skills."

Florida State University decided to put it to the test by comparing results to the Portal 2 video game.

The college had 77 participants randomly assigned to play either eight hours of Portal 2 or 8 hours of Lumosity.

They were tested, before and after their game-playing session, to compare their performance in problem solving, spatial skill and persistence.

Portal 2 players did better in all three cases.

"Portal 2 players also showed significant increases from pre-test to post-test on special small and large-scale spatial tests, while those in the Lumosity condition did not show any pre-test to post-test differences on any measure," the study concluded.

We wouldn't put too much faith in either study, since both are small and essentially anecdotal. But one can't go wrong with improved diet and more physical and mental exercise.

And, you don't have to go online to keep your synapses firing -- we know a lot of people who stay mentally sharp by working the Celebrity Cipher, crossword puzzle or Sudoku in the McCook Gazette.