A recent study from the University of Maryland School of Public Health demonstrates that walking enhances connectivity in three brain networks, including one linked to Alzheimer's disease.
The study, titled "Large-Scale Network Connectivity and Cognitive Function Changes After Exercise Training in Older Adults with Intact Cognition and Mild Cognitive Impairment" published in the Journal for Alzheimer's Disease Reports, contributes to the mounting evidence supporting the positive impact of exercise on brain health.
Walking Combats Alzheimer's Disease
Researchers investigated the brains and narrative recall skills of older individuals with both typical cognitive function and mild cognitive impairment, a condition characterized by a mild decline in cognitive abilities such as memory, reasoning, and judgment, and a risk factor for Alzheimer's disease.
J. Carson Smith, a kinesiology professor at the School of Public Health and the lead researcher, said in the news release that the brain networks examined in the study have historically shown deterioration in individuals with mild cognitive impairment and Alzheimer's disease.
These networks become disconnected, resulting in cognitive decline and memory loss. However, the study demonstrates that exercise training can strengthen these connections. This research builds on Smith's previous work, which indicated that walking could improve brain function and decrease cerebral blood flow in older adults with mild cognitive impairment.
According to Science Daily, researchers examined 33 participants aged 71 to 85, who engaged in supervised treadmill walking four days a week for 12 weeks. The participants were asked to read a short story before and after the exercise program and recall it with as much detail as possible.
Participants underwent functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) to assess changes in communication within and between three crucial brain networks that govern cognitive function.
The networks examined were the default mode network, associated with daydreaming and connected to the hippocampus affected by Alzheimer's; the frontoparietal network, responsible for decision-making and memory; and the salience network, which monitors external stimuli and determines what requires attention, as well as facilitate efficient switching between networks for optimal performance.
Following a 12-week exercise program, researchers conducted a re-evaluation and observed notable enhancements in participants' capacity to recall stories. Smith emphasized that brain activity exhibited greater strength and synchronization, indicating exercise's potential to induce neuroplasticity.
Exercise Is Good For the Brain
The findings contribute to the growing optimism surrounding exercise as a potential preventive or stabilizing measure for individuals with mild cognitive impairment, potentially delaying the progression of Alzheimer's dementia. Additionally, the study revealed increased activity within the default mode network, the salience network, and the connections between these three vital brain networks.
As per the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), engaging in physical activity has numerous benefits for cognitive function, emotional well-being, and overall health. It enhances cognitive abilities, such as thinking, learning, problem-solving, and emotional stability, while improving memory and reducing feelings of anxiety or depression.
Additionally, maintaining regular physical activity can lower the risk of cognitive decline, including dementia, as research shows that inactive adults are nearly twice as likely to experience cognitive decline compared to their active counterparts.
Lastly, regular physical activity promotes better sleep, a sense of well-being, and decreases the risk of certain cancers, ultimately contributing to a longer and healthier life.
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