Alzheimer’s Prevention

Stay Active: Cut Your Risk For Alzheimer’s Disease by 50%

Results from the annual meeting of the Radiological Society of North America show an active lifestyle results in less decrease of volume of the brain or grey matter. Improving lifestyle could reduce risk for Alzheimer’s disease by 50%, resulting in 1.1 million fewer cases in the United States. In the U.S, the lack of physical activity is the number one most powerful lifestyle factor, contributing to 21% of cases of Alzheimer’s disease. Worldwide, it is the 3rd most powerful risk factor after low education and smoking.

Investigators looked at how lifestyle influences brain structure using MRI scans and clinical data over 20 years from 876 patients. The areas of the brain that are benefiting the most from this active lifestyle are also the areas affected in Alzheimer’s disease. The participants who had Alzheimer’s disease and were more physically active had less deterioration in their brain matter volume compared to sedentary individuals.