How exercise prevents cognitive decline

There is mounting evidence that physical exercise has a positive influence in the prevention of cognitive decline and dementia in the elderly.

In the first study worldwide, researchers from the Goethe University Frankfurt examine the neurometabolic and molecular mechanisms underlying this positive effect – in other words how exercise affects brain metabolism.

Physical fitness also improved and participants in the physical activity group showed increases cardiac efficiency after the training period.

In a randomised controlled trial researchers examined this effect in 60 participants aged 65 to 85 years old.

Prior to the study the researchers examined all the participants in the SMART study (Sport and Metabolism in Older Persons, an MRT Study) by assessing movement-related parameters, cardiopulmonary fitness and cognitive performance.

Additionally, brain metabolism and brain structure was also measured using magnetic resonance tomography (MRT) and magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS).

For the study the participants mounted exercise bikes three times a week for a period of 12 weeks.

The training was for 30 minutes which was adapted to each participant’s performance level.

The participants were assessed again after the training programme ended to document the effects of physical activity on brain metabolism, cognitive performance, memory and brain structure.

The researchers also examined the improvement in participants’ physical fitness levels after the physical activity training programme.

The physical exercie influenced brain metabolism as was expected and it prevented an increase in choline – the concentration of this metabolite often increases as a result of increased loss of nerve cells. This typically occurs in patients with Alzheimer’s disease.

The cerebral choline levels were stable in the physical exercise group but increased in the control group (12 week waiting).

Physical fitness also improved and participants in the physical activity group showed increases cardiac efficiency after the training period.

Based on the findings, it is clear that physical exercise not only improves physical fitness but protects brain cells from decline and has a positive impact on brain metabolism.

Source: Translational Psychiatry