NEWSWEEK – Getting your steps in could help fight off Alzheimer’s, new research has found.
Regular aerobic exercise was linked to a reduction in markers in the brains of in rats that associated with the onset of Alzheimer’s, including amyloid plaques, according to a new paper in the journal Brain Research.
Doing cardio could therefore help fight off the development of Alzheimer’s, the researchers say.
“Alzheimer’s is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder with no known cure, impacting millions worldwide,” study co-author Augusto Coppi, senior lecturer in veterinary anatomy at the University of Bristol, said in a statement.
“While physical exercise is known to reduce cognitive decline, the cellular mechanisms behind its neuroprotective effects have remained elusive—until now.
“This research highlights the potential for aerobic exercise to serve as a cornerstone in preventive strategies for Alzheimer’s.”
Aerobic exercise, also known as cardio, refers to physical activity that increases your heart rate and breathing while engaging large muscle groups over an extended period.
In the paper, the researchers describe how they examined how aerobic exercise impacted the development of amyloid plaques and tau tangles in the hippocampus brain region of rats, as well as the accumulation of iron in myelin-producing cells known as oligodendrocytes.
Alzheimer’s disease primarily affects memory, thinking and behavior—and has no cure. Symptoms of early Alzheimer’s include memory loss, misplacing items, disorientation, and impaired judgment, while late-stage Alzheimer’s can involve severe cognitive decline to the point of an inability to recognize familiar faces, as well as motor issues that can impair walking and even sitting.
A hallmark of Alzheimer’s is the abnormal accumulation of proteins in the brain—such as amyloid plaques and tau tangles—which interfere with normal brain function …