Staying Active Could 'Drastically' Reduce Alzheimer's Risk

A recent study from Boston University (USA) confirms that remaining physically active in middle age and throughout older adulthood could drastically reduce the likelihood of developing dementia or Alzheimer's disease.

Over 55 million people worldwide live with dementia, and that figure is projected to rise to 78 million by 2030 and 150 million by 2050.

The analysis, published in JAMA Network Open, followed more than 4,300 individuals who did not present with the disease at the start of the research or in subsequent decades.

Statistics That Do Not Lie

With 1,526 participants in their early adulthood, 1,943 in middle age, and 855 in older age, the study revealed that individuals with higher levels of physical activity within the second and third groups had a 41% to 45% lower risk of developing dementia from any cause, respectively, compared to those who showed the lowest levels of physical activity—a statistically significant difference.

Regarding the mechanisms of this protective effect, one of the authors, Phillip Hwang, explained: "There are several possible mechanisms through which physical activity could decrease the risk of dementia, such as improving brain structure and function, reducing inflammation, and benefiting vascular function."

The study adds that physical activity could have a direct impact against the mentioned pathologies, such as preventing the toxic accumulation of proteins linked to them (like beta-amyloid and tau), which in turn could favor greater cognitive preservation and delay deterioration.

Limitations

The researchers acknowledge important limitations in their study: physical activity was self-reported, which could introduce biases; and it is not possible to specify which exact type of exercise is most beneficial.

They also note that activity during early adulthood (ages 26-44) did not show a clear association with risk reduction, possibly due to a lack of dementia cases in that group.

For the authors, these findings reinforce the idea that "taking the time to stay active, especially with high-intensity activities that elevate heart rate, could help reduce the risk of dementia in old age."

In conclusion, the message is clear: incorporating regular exercise from middle age and remaining active in older adulthood is confirmed as a promising and accessible strategy for many to protect their long-term brain health.