Move More, Think Better: How Exercise Can Lower Dementia Risk

A recent study suggests that getting more physical activity in midlife or later life can significantly lower the chances of developing dementia. The research, which looked at data from over 4, 300 people, found that those who were more active in midlife had a 40% lower risk of dementia over 26 years. Even in later life, higher activity levels were linked to a 36% to 45% lower risk over 15 years. The study also found that the benefits of physical activity on the brain might start earlier than previously thought. However, the link between midlife activity and lower dementia risk was only seen in people without the APOE4 gene, which is linked to a higher risk of Alzheimer's. Interestingly, this was not the case for the late-life activity group, which showed reduced dementia risk regardless of whether they carried the APOE4 gene. So, how does exercise help the brain? Researchers suggest that physical activity can improve brain structure and function, reduce inflammation, and benefit vascular function. It may also directly impact Alzheimer's disease pathology, such as the buildup of toxic beta-amyloid in the brain. These potential mechanisms may contribute to building cognitive reserve, which can delay late-life cognitive impairment. However, the study is not without its limitations. For one, physical activity was based on self-reporting, which can be unreliable. Also, the level of physical activity in early adulthood was not linked with all-cause dementia or Alzheimer's dementia. This could be due to the small number of dementia cases in this age group. Despite these limitations, the study supports the idea that exercise can lower the risk of dementia. It's a reminder that taking care of our bodies can also mean taking care of our brains.