Study Suggests Aerobic Exercise Reduces Alzheimer's Disease Markers

A study published in Brain Research found that regular aerobic exercise could significantly reduce disease markers like tau and amyloid proteins associated with Alzheimer’s disease.

Researchers have long explored the potential of physical activity in preventing Alzheimer’s disease. A recent study by scientists at the University of Bristol (UK) and the Federal University of São Paulo (Brazil) examined the benefits of exercise for individuals with Alzheimer’s disease. They also evaluated the relationship between hippocampal cell formation (essential for learning new information and memory) in sedentary and active individuals.

The researchers found that rats who completed a structured aerobic exercise program experienced a significant reduction in tau tangles (approximately 63%) and amyloid plaques (approximately 76%). Furthermore, iron accumulation in the brains of the exercising rodents decreased by approximately 58%. Iron naturally accumulates in the brain with age, especially after 60, and can negatively impact cognitive function.

In addition to its other benefits, the study found that exercise improved brain cell health and reduced brain inflammation in rodents (55% to 68%, depending on the inflammatory biomarker). Exercise also reduces cell death.

Furthermore, the researchers found that exercise improved communication between brain cells, restoring critical balance in the brain’s function as it ages.

“While 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 for aerobic exercise to serve as a cornerstone in preventive strategies for Alzheimer’s,” said Dr. Augusto Coppi, Senior Lecturer in Veterinary Anatomy at the University of Bristol and one of the study’s senior authors.

The researchers recommend prioritizing exercise programs tailored to aging populations in public health initiatives and are now planning human clinical trials to confirm the protective effects observed in rodent models.

Source: Science Daily

Journal: Brain Research