Aerobic exercises would considerably reduce markers associated with Alzheimer’s disease, according to a new Anglo-Brazilian study.
- Aerobic physical activity would considerably reduce markers associated with Alzheimer’s disease.
- The study shows significant reductions in tau tangles, amyloid plates and iron accumulation.
- Among other things, aerobic encompasses the race, cycling, swimming, fast walking, rowing or even stairs.
If your good resolution of the year is to keep a healthy brain, bet on aerobic activities. That is to say racing, cycling, swimming, fast walking, rowing or even stairs.
According to work carried out by researchers from the University of Bristol (United Kingdom) and São Paulo (Brazil), these activities that rely on the use of oxygen to generate energy, help fight Against markers of Alzheimer’s disease.
Alzheimer’s and aerobic: a reduction in amyloid plates by 76 %
To better assess the impact of aerobic on the risks of Alzheimer’s disease, the researchers followed rats having been submitted to a physical activity program. They examined their hippocampus, the brain region responsible for memory and learning. The team also wanted to determine the effect of sport on the main markers of neurodegenerative pathology such as amyloid plates, tangles of tau protein and the accumulation of iron in myelin producing cells, called oligodendrocytes.
Results of their various analyzes: rodents who regularly did a aerobic physical activity, displayed a reduction of 63 % of Tau tangles, a drop of 76 % of amyloid plates and a decline of 58 % of iron accumulation.
In addition, scientists noted a “Improving the health of brain cells, including increased number of protective oligodendrocytes” as well as “Reduction of brain inflammation in the Exercise group (between 55 % and 68 % according to the inflammatory biomarker considered) and cell death”.
The data, published in the journal Brain Research,, Also show within the “exercise” group a better communication between brain cells, restoring balance in brain function as it ages.
Cognitive decline: aerobic exercise must be done regularly
“Alzheimer’s disease is a progressive neurodegenerative pathology without known remedy, which affects millions of people around the world. Although exercise is known to reduce cognitive decline, cellular mechanisms that cause its neuroprotective effects have remained elusive so far.explains Dr. Augusto Coppi of the University of Bristol in a press release.
Faced with the data collected, the researcher and his colleagues recommend the integration of aerobic activities in daily life in order to prevent Alzheimer’s disease. They add that “Public health initiatives should give priority to exercise programs adapted to aging populations”.
