EXERCISE: It also delays cognitive decline in Alzheimer's

There is indeed a growing body of scientific evidence of the beneficial impact of lifestyle factors on reducing the risk of cognitive decline and dementia. Preliminary results from the Sprint Mind trial reveal that intensive blood pressure treatment reduces the development of mild cognitive impairment and the risk of cognitive impairment badociated with dementia. If here, the demonstration is again performed for an autosomal dominant and early genetic form of the disease, representative of less than 1% of Alzheimer's cases, the results confirm the interest of physical activity on the progression of cognition and dementia: the authors explain in fact, in a statement, that their results "show a significant relationship between physical activity, cognition, functional status and Alzheimer's pathology, even in people with this genetic form of disease. In the study, 70% of all these patients were able to achieve this level of physical activity, so this beneficial lifestyle factor is feasible and can play an important role against the progression of the disease.

Encouraging results, not just for people with this rare formexplains Dr. Maria C. Carrillo, Director of the Alzheimer's Association. "If further research confirms this relationship between physical activity and the late onset of dementia symptoms in this group of patients, we will have to try to expand our findings to millions of people with late onset Alzheimer's." ".

Researchers at the University of Tübingen (Germany) badyzed the data of 275 patients with the genetic mutation in question, aged on average 38.4 years and watched the impact of at least 150 minutes of physical activity (walking, running, swimming, aerobics, etc.) per week – or the World Health Organization's current practice recommendation – on participants' cognitive outcomes.

• 156 participants were considered to be physically active (> 150 minutes of physical activity / week),
• 68 with low physical activity (<150 minutes of physical activity / week),
• the type and frequency of exercise were taken into account, but not the intensity of the exercise.
• The badysis confirms that more physical activity leads to better results in the MMSE and various standard measures of cognition and function;
• lower exercise levels are linked to higher levels of biomarkers (including Tau) of Alzheimer's disease in cerebrospinal fluid.

A physically active lifestyle is a feasible factor which can delay the development and progression of cognitive decline, conclude the researchers.

Thus, patients at genetic risk for dementia should opt for an active lifestyle.