Association Between Physical Activity and Memory Function: The Role of Brain Structural Markers in a Cross-Sectional...

Area of Science:

• Neuroscience
• Public Health
• Gerontology

Background:

• Physical activity (PA) is known to benefit cognitive health, particularly memory.
• Large-scale studies investigating the role of brain structural markers in the PA-memory relationship are limited.
• Device-measured PA offers objective insights into activity levels and their neurological correlates.

Purpose of the Study:

• To examine the association between device-measured physical activity and memory function.
• To investigate the mediating role of brain structural markers in the PA-memory relationship.
• To explore PA's potential as a strategy for preventing memory decline in aging populations.

Main Methods:

• Utilized data from 19,721 UK Biobank participants (aged 45-82 years) with accelerometer and memory assessments.
• Assessed brain structures including total brain, white matter, gray matter, hippocampal volumes, and white matter hyperintensity volume using MRI.
• Employed multiple linear and logistic regression, alongside pathway analyses, to determine relationships and mediation effects.

Main Results:

• Physical activity was positively associated with better short-term numeric memory performance.
• PA correlated with increased total brain volume, white matter volume, gray matter volume, and hippocampal volume.
• PA was also associated with reduced white matter hyperintensity volume, with brain structures mediating these effects.

Conclusions:

• Physical activity may preserve short-term numeric memory by counteracting brain structural degeneration.
• Brain structural markers like total brain volume, white matter volume, and white matter hyperintensity volume significantly mediate the PA-memory link.
• PA shows promise as a preventive strategy against age-related memory decline.