Improving fitness may counteract brain atrophy in older adults, including those with MCI

  • A small study involving physically inactive older adults found that a three-month exercise program reversed some brain atrophy.

A study involving 30 previously physically inactive older adults (aged 61-88) found that a three-month exercise program reversed some brain atrophy.

Participants included 14 with MCI. The exercise program included moderate intensity walking on a treadmill four times a week over a twelve-week period. On average, cardiorespiratory fitness improved by about 8% as a result of the training in both the healthy and MCI participants. Fitness was assessed using peak oxygen capacity rates.

Those who showed the greatest improvements in fitness had the most growth in cortical thickness. Those with MCI showed greater improvements compared to healthy group in the left insula and superior temporal gyrus, two brain regions that have been shown to exhibit accelerated neurodegeneration in Alzheimer’s disease.

http://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2015-11/uom-ifm111915.php

Reference: 

Reiter, K., Nielson, K. A., Smith, T. J., Weiss, L. R., Alfini, A. J., & Smith, J. C. (2015). Improved Cardiorespiratory Fitness Is Associated with Increased Cortical Thickness in Mild Cognitive Impairment. Journal of the International Neuropsychological Society, 21(Special Issue 10), 757–767. https://doi.org/10.1017/S135561771500079X

Related News

Is there really a level at which alcohol benefits cognition?

Large study shows level of beneficial alcohol consumption much lower than thought
Belly fat in older adults linked with cognitive impairment

Data from over 5,000 individuals found that a measure of belly fat (waist:hip ratio) was associated with reduced cognitive function in older Irish adults (60+). Body mass index (BMI), however, was found to protect cognitive function.
Nutrients linked to better brain connectivity, cognition in older adults

A study involving 116 healthy older adults (65-75) has found that higher levels of several key nutrients in the blood were associated with more efficient brain connectivity and better cognitive performance.
Diet quality in midlife not associated with dementia risk

A long-running study involving 8225 adults found that self-reported diet during midlife (mean age 50) was not significantly associated with subsequent risk for dementia.
Older people less apt to recognize they've made a mistake

A small study comparing 38 younger adults (average age 22) and 39 older adults (average age 68) found that the older adults were less able to recognize when they made errors.
Does mental stimulation help fight age-related cognitive decline?

Can computer use, crafts and games slow or prevent age-related memory loss?
Education & IQ linked to later cognitive decline & dementia

Americans with a college education live longer without dementia and Alzheimer's
Low social engagement linked to cognitive decline & dementia risk

Socially active 60-year-olds face lower dementia risk
Stress in midlife affects cognitive decline later in life

Stressors in middle age linked to cognitive decline in older women

Data from some 900 older adults has linked stressful life experiences among middle-aged women, but not men, to greater memory decline in later life.
Visual impairment associated with a decline in cognitive function

A study involving more than 2,500 older adults (65+) found that the rate of worsening vision was associated with the rate of cognitive decline. More importantly, vision has a stronger influence on cognition than the reverse.

Pages

more
Subscribe to Latest newsSubscribe to Latest newsSubscribe to Latest health newsSubscribe to Latest news