According to research presented at the 8th International Conference on Clinical Trials for Alzheimer's Disease (CTAD), aerobic exercise seems to develop brain functions and decreases the markers of neurodegeneration in older adults at risk of acquiring Alzheimer's disease (AD). Laura Baker, Ph.D., leadresearcher of the study and a cognitive neuroscientist at Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center said these findings recommend that aerobic exercise may produce an auspicious disease-modifying healing intervention for people in the earliest stages of AD.
According to Medical News Today, the researchhas evaluated levels of two proteins in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) - beta amyloid and tau. Prioranalysis have presented that in the existence of a neurodegenerative process such as AD, CSF levels of tau enhance, while levels of beta amyloid lessen as the amyloid protein is accumulated as plaques in the brain. But aerobic exercise appears to oppose this trend, specifically in people who are older and start with greater levels of cognitive deterioration. Baker said that they don't have the exact idea yet if they are opposing the course, protecting the brain, or just buying some time.
To examine the results of aerobic exercise on the brain, Baker and her associates listed adults between the ages of 55 and 89 with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and prediabetes. Participants were appointed randomly to take part in a regulated exercise scheme consisting of either moderate-to-high severity aerobics or stretching for 45-60 minutes, four times per week, for six months, under the guidance of a trainer.
CSF and blood were gathered from participants at the onset of the study and after finalization of the exercise scheme. At both time points, participants also achieved evaluations of cognition, how long it took to walk 400 meters, body fat and glucose tolerance. Forty participants also have went through magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans.
As per Baker, she is optimistic that the findings of the study will help inspire people to think about exercise in a distinct way. She also added that exercise is good for us, but maybe noticing observable, targeted brain developments will support the momentum to get us out the door to exercise.
