Regular Exercise May Cut Alzheimer's Risk in Older Adults

A newly released study found regular exercise appears to help prevent the development of physical symptoms of Alzheimer's, reports the Daily Pioneer . "In a late-middle-age population at risk for Alzheimer's disease, physically active individuals experience fewer age-related alterations in biomarkers associated with the disease, as well as memory and cognitive functioning," noted University of Wisconsin Professor Ozioma Okonkwo. The researchers first analyzed 317 participants enrolled in the Wisconsin Registry for Alzheimer's Prevention, with a history of parents with probable Alzheimer's or dementia. The investigators then studied 95 people assigned polygenic risk scores, based on whether they possessed certain genes linked to Alzheimer's. For a third study, the team examined magnetic resonance imaging scans from 107 subjects who were asked to run on a treadmill to assess their oxygen uptake efficiency slope. Comparison of data from individuals younger than 60 with older adults indicated a decrease in cognitive abilities and an increase in biomarkers associated with Alzheimer's in older persons. Effects were significantly lessened in older adults who received at least 30 minutes of moderate exercise five days weekly. "We now show evidence that lifestyle habits — in this case regular, moderate exercise — can modify the effect of what is commonly considered a non-modifiable risk factor for Alzheimer's, in this case, aging," Okonkwo said.