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Title: Exercise May Prevent Brain Shrinkage in Early Alzheimer's Disease
URL: http://www.pslgroup.com/dg/225D7A.htm
Doctor's Guide
July 15, 2008

ST. PAUL, Minn -- July 15, 2008 -- Mild Alzheimer's disease patients with higher physical fitness had larger brains compared with mild Alzheimer's patients with lower physical fitness, according to a study published in the July 15 issue of Neurology.

For the study, 121 people aged 60 years and older underwent fitness tests using a treadmill as well as brain scans to measure the white matter, gray matter, and total volume of their brains. Of the group, 57 were in the early stages of Alzheimer's disease while the rest of the group did not have dementia.

"People with early Alzheimer's disease who were less physically fit had 4 times more brain shrinkage when compared to normal older adults than those who were more physically fit, suggesting less brain shrinkage related to the Alzheimer's disease process in those with higher fitness levels," said study author Jeffrey M. Burns, MD, University of Kansas School of Medicine, Kansas City, Kansas.

The results remained the same regardless of age, gender, severity of dementia, physical activity, and frailty. There was no relationship between higher fitness levels and brain changes in the group of people without dementia.

"People with early Alzheimer's disease may be able to preserve their brain function for a longer period of time by exercising regularly and potentially reducing the amount of brain volume lost. Evidence shows decreasing brain volume is tied to poorer cognitive performance, so preserving more brain volume may translate into better cognitive performance," Dr. Burns said.


SOURCE: American Academy of Neurology

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