Aerobic Exercise Training Linked to Enhanced Brain Function in Adults at Risk for Alzheimer’s Disease

“Research shows that aerobic exercise has been associated with reduced burden of brain and cognitive changes related to Alzheimer’s disease (AD). However, it is unknown whether exercise training in individuals who have a risk for AD, but are not yet showing symptoms, improves outcomes associated with AD. This study team investigated the effect of 26 weeks of supervised aerobic treadmill exercise training on brain glucose metabolism and cognition among 23 late-middle-aged adults from a cohort that also experienced higher risk of AD due to familial and genetic ties.

The major finding of this study is that increased brain glucose metabolism and executive function following 26 weeks of aerobic exercise training was associated with cardiorespiratory fitness improvement. Furthermore, executive function was improved in participants randomized to the group receiving an enhanced, more robust physical activity regimen, as compared to those maintaining a lesser regimen of physical activity. The present results are consistent with mounting evidence that aerobic exercise training has positive effects on brain structure and function in late-middle aged adults with normal cognition.”

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