AEROBIC EXERCISE: A muscular ally in the fight against Alzheimer’s

Because some research advocates, with this objective, rather for high intensity exercise, or even for HIIT, other studies suggesting that moderate aerobic exercise already brings real benefits. This new research therefore “defends” regular aerobic exercise and its ability to significantly reduce several markers of Alzheimer’s disease.

Confirmation of a simple and effective measure in the fight against these cognitive diseases.

The study deciphers, in mouse models of aging, how physical activity not only protects healthy brain cells, but also restores balance in the aging brain. The research focused on the hippocampus, the region of the brain responsible for memory and learning, and the team measured the impact of aerobic exercise on key markers of Alzheimer’s disease:

• beta-amyloid protein plaques,
• toxic tau protein tangles,
• the accumulation of iron in myelin-producing cells or oligodendrocytes.

The analysis reveals in models who followed a structured but moderate aerobic exercise program:

• a significant reduction, by 63%, in tau tangles;
• a significant reduction of 76% in amyloid plaques;
• a significant reduction of 58% in iron accumulation in the brain;
• an improvement in the health of brain cells, including an increase in the number of protective oligodendrocytes;
• a reduction in brain inflammation in the exercise group, from 55% to 68% depending on the inflammatory biomarker taken into account;
• an improvement in communication between brain cells, restoring balance in brain function, particularly during aging.

One of the lead authors, Dr Augusto Coppi, Professor of Veterinary Anatomy at the University of Bristol, comments on these observations: “Alzheimer’s disease is a progressive neurodegenerative disease with no known cure that affects millions of people worldwide. Although physical exercise is known to reduce cognitive decline, the cellular mechanisms underlying its neuroprotective effects had remained poorly understood. This research confirms the potential of aerobic exercise for the prevention of Alzheimer’s disease.

Integrating regular aerobic exercise into daily life could play a key role against Alzheimer’s and in public health

Public health initiatives should therefore prioritize community-based exercise programs that are accessible and adapted to older people.