” We were able to reveal that physical activity had a noticeable impact on nearly all brain regions investigated. Generally, we can say that the greater and more extreme the physical activity, the bigger the brain regions were, either with regard to volume or cortical thickness,” Fabienne Fox summarizes the research study results. “Our research study results indicate that even small behavioral changes, such as strolling 15 minutes a day or taking the stairs instead of the elevator, might have a considerable favorable effect on the brain and possibly counteract age-related loss of brain matter and the advancement of neurodegenerative illness. To identify the brain regions that benefited most from physical activity, the research group searched databases for genes that are especially active in these brain locations. “With our study, we were able to define brain regions that benefit from physical activity to an unmatched level of information,” states Ahmad Aziz.
According to the study, particular regions of the brain are larger in physically active people than in less active people.
The results are more noticable in brain locations with high oxygen demand.
Exercise keeps both the mind and the body healthy, however little is known about how and where exercise impacts our brains.
” In previous research study, the brain was usually considered as an entire,” says Fabienne Fox, neuroscientist and lead author of the current research study. “Our goal was to take a more detailed look at the brain and discover which areas of the brain exercise effects most.”
Substantial Data from the Rhineland study
Fox and associates utilized info from the Rhineland Study, a large population-based research study performed by DZNE in the area of Bonn, for their study. They specifically examined the exercise information of 2,550 individuals between the ages of 30 and 94, along with brain images obtained by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Participants in the research study wore an accelerometer on their upper thigh for 7 days to gather information on their exercise. The MRI scans exposed new information, especially on brain volume and thickness of the cortex.
The More Active, the Greater the Effects
” We were able to show that exercise had a visible impact on nearly all brain regions investigated. Typically, we can state that the higher and more intense the exercise, the larger the brain regions were, either with regard to volume or cortical thickness,” Fabienne Fox sums up the research results. “In particular, we observed this in the hippocampus, which is considered the nerve center of memory. Larger brain volumes supply much better security against neurodegeneration than smaller sized ones.”
The size of the brain areas, however, does not increase linearly with physical activity. Comparing study participants who were inactive and those who were simply reasonably physically active, the research team discovered the biggest, almost abrupt volume boost. This was particularly obvious in senior individuals over the age of 70.
” In concept, this is really great news– particularly for those who are reluctant to exercise,” states Ahmad Aziz, who heads the research group “Population and Clinical Neuroepidemiology” at DZNE. “Our research study results suggest that even little behavioral modifications, such as walking 15 minutes a day or taking the stairs rather of the elevator, may have a substantial positive result on the brain and potentially combat age-related loss of brain matter and the development of neurodegenerative diseases. In specific, older grownups can already profit from modest boosts of low-intensity physical activity.”
Young and rather athletic topics who typically took part in moderate to extreme physical activity also had reasonably high brain volumes. In even more active subjects, these brain regions were somewhat larger. Likewise here it revealed: the more active, the higher the result, although at high levels of physical activity, the helpful impacts tended to level off.
Brain Regions that Benefit the Most
To identify the brain areas that benefited most from physical activity, the research team browsed databases for genes that are especially active in these brain locations. “Compared to other brain regions, this requires increased blood circulation. This is ensured especially well throughout physical activity, which might explain why these brain regions benefit from exercise,” says Ahmad Aziz.
Workout Protects
The bioinformatic analysis further revealed a big overlap in between genes whose expression is affected by physical activity and those affected by neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimers, Parkinsons, or Huntingtons. “With our research study, we were able to define brain areas that benefit from physical activity to an unmatched level of detail,” states Ahmad Aziz.
And likewise approaches for daily use: “With our results, we desire to offer an additional incentive to become more physically active– to promote brain health and avoid neurodegenerative illness,” states Fabienne Fox. “Even modest exercise can assist. Hence, its simply a small effort– however with a huge effect.”
Reference: “Association Between Accelerometer-Derived Physical Activity Measurements and Brain Structure: A Population-Based Cohort Study” by Fabienne A.U. Fox, Kersten Diers, Hweeling Lee, Andreas Mayr, Martin Reuter, Monique M.B. Breteler and N. Ahmad Aziz, 2 August 2022, Neurology.DOI: 10.1212/ WNL.0000000000200884.
