Most Fit Have Less Brain Atrophy From Alzheimer's
(HealthDay News) -- Physical fitness can help the mind, body and quality of life of people with early Alzheimer's disease and dementia, according to new research.
"These studies reinforce the need for increased awareness and education about the importance of living a brain-healthy lifestyle, including staying physically active," William Thies, vice president of medical and scientific relations for the Alzheimer's Association, said in a news release. "Growing evidence shows that physical exercise does not have to be strenuous or require a major time commitment.
The two studies were expected to be presented Sunday at the Alzheimer's Association International Conference on Alzheimer's Disease in Chicago.
In the first study, MRI brain imaging of people taking a treadmill stress test showed a connection between cardio-respiratory fitness and Alzheimer's-related brain changes in the hippocampus, an area of the brain important for memory and spatial navigation. The hippocampus is one of the first regions of the brain to suffer damage from Alzheimer's.
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