Physical activity changes during midlife link to brain integrity and amyloid burden

Area of Science:

• Neurology
• Public Health
• Gerontology

Background:

• Midlife physical activity is linked to reduced Alzheimer's disease (AD) risk.
• Investigated midlife physical activity changes in relation to AD pathologies in at-risk individuals.

Purpose of the Study:

• To examine the association between changes in physical activity during midlife and Alzheimer's disease biomarkers.
• To determine if adherence to physical activity guidelines impacts AD-related brain changes.

Main Methods:

• 337 cognitively unimpaired adults with physical activity data at baseline and follow-up.
• Multiple regressions analyzed amyloid-PET burden and medial temporal lobe cortical thickness.
• Independent variables included changes in adherence to World Health Organization (WHO) physical activity recommendations, activity amounts, and sedentary behavior.

Main Results:

• Remaining sedentary was associated with lower cortical thickness compared to higher activity levels.
• Becoming adherent to WHO recommendations was linked to lower amyloid burden.
• Increased physical activity amounts showed a dose-dependent association with reduced amyloid burden.

Conclusions:

• Increasing physical activity in midlife may be a key preventive strategy for Alzheimer's disease.
• Adherence to WHO physical activity recommendations may enhance brain health and reduce AD risk.
• Physical activity increases are dose-dependently related to lower amyloid burden.