It’s widely recognised that intellectual activities, such as reading or playing games, help to delay the onset of Alzheimer’s symptoms in older people. But what about exercise?
A joint study recently published in the journal Brain Research suggests this activity could play a key role in preventing and slowing down this neurodegenerative disease. Researchers from the University of Bristol and the Federal University of São Paulo focused on the hippocampus, a key region of the brain for memory and learning.
They studied the impact of physical activity – specifically aerobic exercise – on the main markers of Alzheimer’s disease, namely amyloid plaques, tau protein tangles, and iron accumulation in cells that produce myelin, a substance that surrounds and protects nerve fibres while accelerating the transmission of electrical signals between neurons.
The scientists conducted an experiment on rats, some of which followed an aerobic exercise programme. They found that the more physically active rodents showed a 63% reduction in tau protein tangles, a 76% reduction in amyloid plaques, and a 58% drop in iron accumulation.
In addition, the number of protective cells, known as oligodendrocytes, increased. Inflammatory markers were also significantly reduced, with reductions ranging from 55-68%, depending on the biomarkers analysed.
Finally, the experts observed improved communication between nerve cells. These are very encouraging results, according to Augusto Coppi, senior lecturer in veterinary anatomy at the University of Bristol and co-author of the study.
“While physical exercise is known to reduce cognitive decline caused by Alzheimer’s, the cellular mechanisms behind its neuroprotective effects have remained elusive – until now,” he said.
“This research highlights the potential for aerobic exercise to serve as a cornerstone in preventive strategies for Alzheimer’s.”
It, however, remains to be confirmed whether these results obtained with rats also apply to humans. Clinical trials are in preparation to verify these promising effects.
In addition, the researchers plan to test drugs targeting iron metabolism and cell death, paving the way for new therapeutic approaches to Alzheimer’s disease.