The Impact of Activity and Unchangeable Traits on Alzheimer’s Disease and Brain Health

What is it about?

Physical activity and unchangeable traits, like sex and genetics, can affect the risk of Alzheimer’s disease (AD). We need to understand how these factors might influence brain health and cognition. This study aimed to explore how physical activity, genetics (specifically the APOE gene), and sex impact the risk of Alzheimer’s Disease, brain volume, and cognition. Data from the UK Biobank was collected between 2006 and 2023. Physical activity was measured using wearable devices and surveys. The incidence of Alzheimer’s, brain volume and cognitive abilities were measured. A total of 69,060 participants were included, with an average age of 62.28 years (54% female). Those who reported more physical activity or had higher activity levels measured by devices were less likely to develop Alzheimer’s. More physical activity was also linked to smaller fluid-filled spaces in the brain and larger overall brain volume, with differences observed between men and women. Additionally, higher activity levels were connected to faster reaction times, but self-reported physical activity was linked to poorer performance in some cognitive tasks.

Featured Image

Photo by Bruno Nascimento on Unsplash

Photo by Bruno Nascimento on Unsplash

Why is it important?

This study demonstrates that engaging in more physical activity can lower the risk of Alzheimer’s, regardless of unchangeable factors like sex and genetics. The influence of sex on brain volume shows it’s important to unchangeable traits in analysis when studying brain health.