The INSPIRE -Faith Study: Intervention Strategies for Preserving Intellectual Resilience and Engagement

The INSPIRE-Faith Study, led by the Healthy Minds Initiative, is a groundbreaking community-based research project aimed at exploring the relationship between lifestyle factors and cognitive health, with an emphasis on nutrition and dietary intervention, to prevent dementia and cognitive impairment in communities. This study will take start in South Los Angeles, California, a region characterized by the prevalence of lifestyle-dependent diseases but will expand into all of California.

The study, slated to begin in January/February 2025, will involve 2,000 participants aged 55 and older, recruited through community outreach, health education programs, and referrals from local healthcare providers. Participants will undergo a comprehensive initial assessment, including evaluations of medical history, cognitive function, lifestyle habits, and access to health resources.

Participants will be randomized into two groups: an intervention group and a control group. The intervention group will receive personalized guidance from health coaches, participate in an online community forum designed to teach about nutrition and lifestyle risk factor management, and have access to tailored exercise programs, educational materials, and other resources designed to promote cognitive health. The control group will receive standard-of-care educational material and monthly communications aimed at maintaining or improving health. Both groups will undergo baseline assessments and periodic evaluations throughout the study to measure the impact of the interventions on cognitive health.

The Inspire-Faith Study employs a randomized controlled crossover design to promote equity, maximize participant benefit, and enhance retention. Participants will be randomized to either the Guided Lifestyle Intervention Group or the Independent (Standard Health Education) Group for the first 6 months. At the 6-month midpoint, study arms will cross over, such that participants initially assigned to the control condition will receive the guided intervention, and participants initially receiving the guided intervention will transition to the independent condition.

The study is designed to leverage community partnerships with organizations such as the American College of Lifestyle Medicine, Charles Drew University, UCLA, Stanford University and Crenshaw Christian Center. These partnerships provide the necessary infrastructure, expertise, and community trust to ensure the study's success.

The INSPIRE Study's primary goal is to demonstrate how targeted community relevant lifestyle interventions can reduce the risk of cognitive decline in all populations that are vulnerable to such outcomes. By addressing factors such as diet, physical activity, stress management, and social engagement, and management of vascular risk factors, the study aims to create a model for improving brain health that can be replicated in all communities.

The study's findings will not only contribute to the scientific understanding of lifestyle-related cognitive health but also have the potential to inform public health strategies and policy decisions aimed at improving access to health resources and support. The long-term vision is to establish the Healthy Minds Initiative as a leader in brain health for all, with the INSPIRE Study serving as a blueprint for future community interventions.

Inclusion criteria

• Age: Participants must be 55 years of age or older.
• Ethnicity: Focused on African American individuals, but not exclusive.
• Cognitive Status: Participants must have normal cognitive status, mild cognitive impairment (MCI), or subjective cognitive impairment (SCI).
• Language: Participants must be fluent in English.
• Location: Must reside in the Crenshaw, California area or* be able to attend study-related activities in this location. *online access is available for those not in this area.
• Willingness to Participate: Participants must be willing to adhere to the study protocol, including attending assessments, participating in interventions, and completing questionnaires.

Exclusion criteria

• Cognitive Decline: Diagnosis of dementia or severe cognitive impairment that would interfere with the ability to participate in the study.
• Physical Limitations: Any physical or medical condition that would preclude participation in the lifestyle interventions (e.g., severe mobility issues).
• Recent Cancer Diagnosis: Diagnosis of cancer within the last three years, excluding stable cases of basal cell or squamous cell carcinoma of the skin, or stable prostate cancer.
• Pregnancy: Current pregnancy or planning to become pregnant during the study period.
• Mental Health: Diagnosis of severe psychiatric disorders such as schizophrenia or bipolar disorder that might interfere with participation.
• Substance Abuse: Current substance abuse or dependency that could impact participation.
• Hearing Impairment: Uncorrected hearing loss that would limit the ability to communicate and participate in the study.
• Non-English Speaking: Inability to participate in English-language oral and written cognitive assessments.
• Participation in Another Study: Currently enrolled in another clinical trial that could interfere with the INSPIRE Study.
• Life expectancy less than 3 years
• Unwillingness to share medical and laboratory information.