Kirtan Kriya is a simple meditation technique involving chanting specific syllables that has shown promise in reducing risks for Alzheimer's disease. A 12-minute daily practice of Kirtan Kriya can help strengthen the brain through neuroplasticity and neurogenesis, improve mood and memory, and may help prevent memory loss. Research has found the technique increases blood flow to brain areas impacted by Alzheimer's and enhances genetic expression.

1. Kirtan Kriya:
A New Dimension in
Alzheimer’s Prevention
Dharma Singh Khalsa, M.D.
President/Medical Director
Alzheimer’s Research and Prevention Foundation
www.alzheimersprevention.org

2. Maintain a sharp brain with age
Boomers’ #1 Fear
Getting Alzheimer’s
Boomers’ #1 Goal

3. FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 15, 2012
Contact: HHS Press Office
(202) 690-6343
News Release
Obama administration presents national plan to fight
Alzheimer’s disease (NAPA)
HHS Secretary Sebelius outlines research funding, tools for health
care providers, awareness campaign and new website
Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius today
released an ambitious national plan to fight Alzheimer’s disease. The
plan was called for in the National Alzheimer’s Project Act (NAPA),
which President Obama signed into law in January 2011. The National
Plan to Address Alzheimer’s Disease sets forth five goals, including
the development of effective prevention and treatment
approaches for Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias by
2025.

4. What’s Missing?

5. Why KK Meditation should be
Part of the Conversation
1. Stress makes it harder to remember things
2. Stress leads to anxiety, depression, and insomnia
3. Meditation lowers stress and improves brain function and
memory
4. Meditation reduces anxiety and depression, both risk factors
for Alzheimer’s
5. Most studied meditation techniques include:
a. The Relaxation Response – 20 min/ twice a day
b. TM – 20 min/twice a day
c. Mindfulness – 47 min average
d. Kirtan Kriya (KK) – 12 min

6. The Benefits of KK in 12 Min/Day
1. Can be easily learned and practiced at home
with a CD.
2.Strengthens the brain, like going to the gym
strengthens the body.
3.Improves attention, concentration, and focus.
4.Better memory scores
5.Better mood, less depression and anxiety.
6.More mental and physical energy.

7. SAA TAA NAA MAA
Kirtan Kriya

8. 1. Neuroplasticity
2. Neurogenesis
3. Synaptic Rejuvenation
Impact of KK
4.  CBF

9. Before After
Kirtan Kriya
Khalsa, D. Newberg, A: Nuclear Medicine Communications, Sept. 2009

10. Posterior Cingulate Gyrus
Up
Preventing Alzheimer’s in 12 Minutes
a Day?
Khalsa, D.S., Newberg, A. Jl of Nuclear Med Communication 2009

13. Pre-Program
Baseline
Post-Program
Baseline
Ant Cingulate
Ant Cingulate
PFC
PFC
Changes in the Anterior Cingulate Gyrus

14. Mind/Body Exercise and GCBF
Before After

16. Cognition-MMSE

17. KK Increases Telomerase
by 43%
0
0.5
1
1.5
2
2.5
3
3.5
4
Base Week 8
Meditation
Relaxation

18. Proven Benefits of 12 Minutes of KK
• Activation of Significant Brain Areas That Improve
• Mood, Memory, Well-Being, Quality of Life
• Activation of posterior cingulate gyrus, the first area to
decrease with Alzheimer’s.
• Multiple Long-Term Anti-Aging Brain Benefits
including a bigger cerebral cortex.
• Reversal of Memory Loss
• Enhance Genetic Expression
• Less Anxiety and Depression
• Decrease Stress
• Improved Health Outcomes such as less inflammatory
markers

19. 1. UWVA- KK & MCI
2. UCLA- KK & MCI
3. FINGER Study
Ongoing ARPF Research
4. UofAz- KK + virtual
balance training vs bt,
associated with cog
dysfunction

20. And In The End…
Spirit and Wisdom

21. TAKE KIRTAN KRIYA HOME
1.Self-led 12-minute KK meditation now possible
2. Anyone can practice it
3.Best time to do it is first thing in the morning
4.CDs and downloads available for a $12 donation
5.CD includes simple instructions
6. It’s easy, enjoy!
www.alzheimersprevention.org/donate

22. SAA TAA NAA MAA
Kirtan Kriya

23. 23
Q&A
10 minutes
(Included in session
recording)

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