JAMA Rates U.S. POINTER one of the Most Impactful Studies of 2025
Novel. Impactful. Newsworthy. These are the adjectives used by the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA), one of the world’s leading peer-reviewed medical journals, to describe the top published research studies over the past year. And only 9 studies made the list.
JAMA has published an annual list of research studies that have made significant impact on medicine and public health. The U.S. Study to Protect Brain Health Through Lifestyle Intervention to Reduce Risk (U.S. POINTER) was selected as one of these exclusive studies across all fields of medicine. This is a remarkable acknowledgement of the growing importance of lifestyle-based approaches for brain health.
For those of us involved in the study and all of those working in the dementia prevention space, this recognition is especially exciting. Thanks to sponsorship by the Alzheimer’s Association, U.S. POINTER is one of the largest, most rigorous randomized clinical trials to test whether an intensive program that simultaneously targets multiple dementia risk factors — including physical activity, nutrition, cognitive and social challenge, and monitoring cardiovascular risk — can help preserve cognitive function in older adults at increased risk for cognitive decline, compared to even the best advice given without structured support.
Why This Matters
JAMA’s recognition places U.S. POINTER alongside a small group of studies that are shaping the future of care — signaling that lifestyle interventions are no longer viewed as “adjunct” strategies, but central to how we think about brain health and aging.
Importantly, the MIND diet was a core component of the U.S. POINTER intervention, reinforcing the growing body of evidence supporting dietary patterns rich in leafy greens, berries, extra-virgin olive oil, nuts, fish, and whole grains for cognitive health. The trial’s nutrition approach reflects years of MIND diet research, led by the late Dr. Martha Clare Morris at Rush University Medical Center, demonstrating its association with slower cognitive decline and reduced dementia risk.
Rush’s Role in U.S. POINTER
We are especially proud that Rush University Medical Center served as one of the five clinical sites for the U.S. POINTER trial, led by Dr. Christy Tangney. Rush’s longstanding leadership in MIND diet research established the nutrition framework used across all sites. The Official MIND Diet’s Jennifer Ventrelle served as Co-Director of Lifestyle Interventions across all five U.S. POINTER sites, working closely with interdisciplinary teams to ensure consistent delivery of the lifestyle program while supporting participant engagement and behavior change. Seeing this work recognized by JAMA is incredibly meaningful for the team and for the broader brain-health community.
Other Notable Studies Highlighted
The JAMA article also features related research on dementia prevention, including investigations into vaccinations, cardiovascular and metabolic risk factors, and other lifestyle and clinical approaches to healthy aging. Together, these studies underscore a common theme: addressing modifiable risk factors earlier and more comprehensively can have far-reaching effects on long-term health, including brain health.
What This Means for You
This recognition reinforces a few practical, evidence-based principles:
Small changes add up when combined. Targeting multiple lifestyle behaviors together is more powerful than focusing on one in isolation.
Structure and support matter. Programs that include evidence-based guidance, accountability, and social connection tend to show stronger outcomes than self-guided approaches alone.
Nutrition is foundational. The MIND diet eating pattern continues to emerge as a practical, sustainable way to support brain health.
Prevention is possible. Large, well-designed trials like U.S. POINTER show that cognitive health is not fixed — it’s influenced by daily habits.
We’ll continue to translate this growing body of research into practical tools, programs, and guidance you can use in everyday life.
The Bottom Line
Being recognized by JAMA places U.S. POINTER among the most influential medical studies of the year — and reinforces a hopeful message: brain health is modifiable. The choices you make today, especially when supported by evidence and community, can shape cognitive health for years to come.
We’re honored to be part of this work — and excited to help you bring the science home.
How You Can Get Started on Your Brain-Health Journey Today
You don’t need to enroll in a clinical trial to begin applying what studies like U.S. POINTER are teaching us. The most powerful takeaway from this research is that everyday choices matter — especially when they’re combined and sustained over time.
Here are a few practical ways to start putting this science into action:
🥗 Adopt a MIND-forward eating pattern
Focus on adding the most potent MIND foods into your weekly routine, such as leafy greens, berries, extra-virgin olive oil, nuts, and fish — while limiting highly processed foods and excess saturated fat. Check out our free MIND Diet Tools for Success to help you track your weekly MIND foods and plan ahead for MINDful meals.
👉 Explore delicious MIND diet recipes, and culinary tips: https://theofficialminddiet.com/recipe-bank
🧠 Pair nutrition with other brain-healthy habits:
Research like U.S. POINTER shows that nutrition works best when combined with:
Regular physical activity
Cognitive challenge and social engagement
Attention to cardiovascular and metabolic health
Read here to follow the USP Brain Health Recipe.
Need More Support?
📘 Use structure to support change
Work directly with Jen and Laura in the MINDful Living 6-Week Live Program as they translate the science into weekly guidance, practical tools, and community support to help you turn brain-healthy intentions into lasting habits.
Enroll in the MIND Diet Course for Brain Health for a self-guided experience with evidence-based guidance, practical tools, and flexible learning to help you build and sustain brain-healthy habits—on your timeline, at your pace.
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