In July 2022 Alzheimer’s overtook both cardio-vascular disease and cancer to become this country’s biggest killer. Are we all therefore powerless to avoid getting caught up in the tsunami of this cruel disease? The answer to that is emphatically ‘No’!

At New Synapse we’ve done the in-depth research, so you don’t have to. The Alzheimer’s Active Prevention Roadmap will guide you in easy steps through the scientific, evidence based but only practical steps that we should all consider taking to shape a better future. Who amongst us wants to become an emotional and financial burden on loved ones through our autumn years?

Alzheimer’s begins by stealing our mastery of daily life, then cherished memories and finally the sense of self that makes us all human. Our brain health remains our greatest wealth, so learn how to live better, longer – right now!

Today nearly one million in the UK are living with Alzheimer’s. That equates to one confirmed diagnosis every 60 seconds; by 2040 that strike rate will have doubled.

This is why the Alzheimer’s Society forecasts that one in three of us will be directly affected within the next 25 years – either caring for someone with the condition, developing it ourselves, or both. It is invariably fatal.

Alzheimer’s remains the dark shadow of our times; it accounts for over 60% of the global dementia burden. We’re living longer and age remains the most significant risk factor. Yet very few people understand that Alzheimer’s is also the most avoidable type of dementia.

In the case of Alzheimer’s pathology, genetic pre-disposition (APOE-4) does not equal genetic pre-determination.

The Lancet’s (2024) Special Report on Alzheimer’s is explicitly clear; 45% of Alzheimer’s risk factors remain modifiable. In other words, our personal life-style choices can be adjusted to gain real protective effect.

New Synapse is a purpose-designed and built training & briefing facility in West Dorset.

Over ten years of study and research, including two years of pilot testing have sculpted this product and marks the point where cutting-edge science meets actionable insight. The briefing presents listeners with18 possible, progressive ‘action steps’ (three for each of the six key pillars of optimum brain health: SLEEP! MOVE! NOURISH! CALM! CONNECT! CHALLENGE!). Pick just one action step from each pillar (a total of 6 possible interventions therefore, at whichever level you feel most comfortable), to build your own bespoke Active Alzheimer’s Roadmap – and keep Alzheimer’s at bay.

The Prevention Roadmap is offered in two formats:

• A ‘full fat milk’ briefing (approx 10 hours). To maximise impact this is best completed over two half-days; the afternoon of Day 1 and the following morning – Day 2. This option provides more headroom for an exploratory and discursive approach.
• A ‘skinny latte’ briefing (approx 4.5 hours), morning or afternoon – your choice. This condensed package focuses on the ‘action steps’. It’s akin to a formal briefing – with only very limited time for discovery of the underpinning brain science or wider discussion therefore.

At inception all of the modules’ content was exhaustively fact-checked by a ‘triumvirate of UK Subject Matter Experts’ (Senior GP, NHS psychologist and MSc nutritionist). Most recently (Feb 2024), it was carefully scrutinised by Dementia UK’s science team, under its CEO & Chief Admiral Nurse, Dr Hilda Hayo.

A unique compendium of well illustrated notes capture all the key content for you, leaving you ideally positioned to build your own prevention map that fits best with your particular circumstances and priorities.

No prior knowledge is required. Recent testimonials confirm that attendees return depart feeling engaged, enlightened and empowered.

In response to popular demand in the 2024 training season, for the first time ever, both formats of the Alzheimer’s Active Prevention briefing can be delivered ‘around the kitchen table’ in your own home, or at any other venue you arrange nearby.

Providing at least 4 listeners can be brought together (and minimal petrol / overnight accommodation expenses are met) either the ‘skinny latte’ or ‘full fat milk’ format can be presented in the comfort of your own home.

A large format iMac screen is used for small groups (4-6 pax). Larger groups (max 50) will need to identify a space that can house a 3.4 metre square projection screen with mains power.

Why bother with prevention if, as the media has been claiming loudly since 2022, ‘Big Pharma’ stands close to delivering a silver bullet against Alzheimer’s? For now, it’s sufficient to know that:

• Only two of the original three plaque-busting drugs (lecanemab and donanemab) were ever authorised for clinical trials.
• Both drugs were shown to clear beta-amyloid and tau protein aggregates thereby slowing disease progression by around seven months.
• Although the UK’s MHRA issued safety certifications, neither drug gained NICE approval for subsequent NHS roll out. Neither offers sufficient value, nor do they restore cognition in any meaningful way.

Prevention, for the foreseeable future sadly, remains the one and only real solution. Anything else amounts to remission.

It is hardly ever too late to start, but rarely too early either. All of the ongoing research points conclusively to the fact that onset of the pathology is stealthy; typically starting in our 40s, twenty plus years before symptoms are usually diagnosed. The benefits of following the Alzheimer’s Prevention Roadmap are cumulative and synergistic. Put yourself back in the driving seat.