Sitting Too Much Can Lead to Brain Shrinkage and Cognitive Issues, Study Finds
Sitting may feel comfortable and convenient, but a recent study on older adults suggests that it can have negative effects on the brain, regardless of how much exercise you do. The research challenges the belief that being physically active can offset the negative impacts of prolonged sitting on brain health, especially in individuals aged 50 and above.
A team of researchers from Vanderbilt University, the University of Pittsburgh, and Seoul National University discovered that excessive sedentary behavior, such as sitting or lying down for extended periods, can influence the brain and increase the risk of developing various types of dementia, including Alzheimer’s disease.
Neurologist Marissa Gogniat from the University of Pittsburgh emphasized the importance of reducing sedentary time, even for those who exercise regularly, as it can significantly reduce the likelihood of developing Alzheimer’s disease.
The study involved 404 volunteers whose activity levels were monitored using wearables for a week. Over the following seven years, cognitive assessments and brain scans were conducted to evaluate their brain health.
Despite the majority of volunteers meeting the recommended weekly exercise guidelines of at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity physical activity, those who spent more time sitting exhibited poorer cognitive function and signs of neurodegeneration, including accelerated thinning of the hippocampus, a key region of the brain associated with memory function.
While the link between sedentary behavior and brain health isn’t definitive, the study suggests that prolonged sitting can accelerate brain aging. For individuals with a higher genetic predisposition to Alzheimer’s, the associations were even stronger.
Neurologist Angela Jefferson from Vanderbilt University Medical Center stressed the importance of reducing sedentary time, especially for older adults at increased genetic risk of Alzheimer’s disease, by taking regular breaks from sitting and increasing overall active time.
Although maintaining an active lifestyle is crucial for physical and mental well-being, the study underscores the harmful effects of excessive sitting on brain health. This research adds to the growing body of evidence linking sedentary behavior to dementia and Alzheimer’s disease.
Jefferson highlighted the significance of studying lifestyle choices and their impact on brain health as individuals age. The findings have been published in Alzheimer’s & Dementia.
