THE ESSENTIAL
- Aerobic physical activity would help significantly reduce markers associated with Alzheimer’s disease.
- The study shows significant reductions in tau tangles, amyloid plaques and iron accumulation.
- Aerobics includes running, cycling, swimming, brisk walking, rowing and even climbing stairs.
If your New Year’s resolution is to keep your brain healthy, focus on aerobic activities. That is, running, cycling, swimming, brisk walking, rowing or even climbing stairs.
According to work carried out by researchers at the University of Bristol (United Kingdom) and São Paulo (Brazil), these activities, which rely on the use of oxygen to generate energy, help to fight against markers of Alzheimer’s disease.
Alzheimer’s and aerobics: a reduction in amyloid plaques of 76%
To better assess the impact of aerobics on the risk of Alzheimer’s disease, researchers followed rats that had been subjected to a physical activity program. They examined their hippocampus, the brain region responsible for memory and learning. The team also wanted to determine the effect of sport on key markers of neurodegenerative pathology such as amyloid plaques, tau protein tangles and iron accumulation in myelin-producing cells, called oligodendrocytes.
Results of their various analyses: rodents that regularly engaged in aerobic physical activity showed a 63% reduction in tau tangles, a 76% drop in amyloid plaques and a 58% reduction in iron accumulation.
-Furthermore, scientists have noted a “improved brain cell health, including increased numbers of protective oligodendrocytes” as well as a “reduction in brain inflammation in the exercise group (between 55% and 68% depending on the inflammatory biomarker considered) and cell death”.
The data, published in the journal Brain Research, also show within the “exercise” group better communication between brain cells, restoring balance to brain function as it ages.
Cognitive decline: you need to do aerobic exercise regularly
“Alzheimer’s disease is a progressive neurodegenerative pathology with no known cure, which affects millions of people worldwide. Although physical exercise is known to reduce cognitive decline, the cellular mechanisms behind its neuroprotective effects have remained elusive until now. “This research highlights the potential of aerobic exercise as a cornerstone of Alzheimer’s disease prevention strategies.”explains Dr Augusto Coppi of the University of Bristol in a press release.
Faced with the data collected, the researcher and his colleagues recommend the integration of aerobic activities into daily life in order to prevent Alzheimer’s disease. They add that “Public health initiatives should prioritize exercise programs tailored to aging populations”.
