Physical Activity May Slow Alzheimer’s Disease Progression, Study Finds
New research suggests that taking a daily stroll could have a significant impact on slowing the protein buildup and cognitive decline associated with Alzheimer’s disease. A study conducted by Mass General Brigham in the US found that even a modest level of physical activity may be enough to put the brakes on the progression of the disease.
The study, which involved lifestyle habits, medical data, and brain scans of hundreds of senior volunteers, revealed that a sedentary lifestyle could play a crucial role in Alzheimer’s decline. However, this also presents an opportunity for intervention to slow down the disease’s progression.
Alzheimer’s disease is a degenerative condition characterized by a decline in short-term memory, affecting approximately one in three people over the age of 85. While there is currently no cure for the disease, understanding its mechanisms can help in developing effective therapeutic strategies.
To investigate the impact of exercise on Alzheimer’s progression, researchers studied 296 participants in the Harvard Aging Brain Study (HABS). These participants, aged between 50 and 90, were monitored for up to 14 years for markers of the disease, including amyloid and tau protein buildup, as well as cognitive decline. Their physical activity levels were tracked using wearable pedometers.
The results showed a clear connection between physical activity levels and tau accumulation as well as cognitive decline. Participants who engaged in moderate levels of physical activity, between 5,000 and 7,500 steps per day, experienced a noticeable slowdown in both tau buildup and cognitive decline. However, exceeding 7,500 steps per day did not produce additional benefits.
Even modest physical activity, between 3,000 and 5,000 daily steps, also slowed the progression of Alzheimer’s markers, though to a lesser extent. This suggests that physical activity could be a simple and accessible target for Alzheimer’s prevention. Wearable activity trackers could be used to monitor and encourage these beneficial effects.
The researchers suggest that targeting physical inactivity in future clinical trials could help modify the trajectory of tau and cognition in preclinical Alzheimer’s disease. This approach may provide a more achievable physical activity goal for older sedentary individuals at high risk of cognitive decline.
The study has been published in Nature Medicine, highlighting the potential impact of physical activity in slowing the progression of Alzheimer’s disease.
