Title
Aerobic exercise and brain metabolism/grey matter volume
Research Area
Health
Author
Matura, S et al; Translational Psychiatry
Summary of Findings
In light of mounting evidence that aerobic exercise has a positive effect on older adults' cognitive functions, this study used magnetic resonance spectroscopy and quantitative MRI to explore the effects of active on human brain metabolism and grey matter volume in healthy ageing.
Participants were selected from three assisted living communities in Germany. They were all aged 65+ and had baseline MRS and MRI scans completed and then split in to two groups. 6 days after the scans one group started a 12 week aerobic exercise programme; the other group waited 12 weeks and then started the same programme. 12 weeks after the first scans (before the second group had started their programme) scans were completed again and compared.
Researchers found that total choline levels remained stable in those who had already taken part in the exercise programme but that total choline levels had increased in the 'waiting' group. Total choline levels have been previously identified as a sign of neurodegeneration leading the researcher to summarise the levels found "suggests a neuroprotective effect of aerobic exercise".
Implications
The effective dissemination of the growing body of evidence that links activity to better health, and specifically brain health, to encourage underrepresented groups such as older people to make critical lifestyle changes is key. This sort of information needs to be cascaded from research journals to the trusted sources of information that have influence over our communtiies, such as healthcare professionals. ABC are developing a resource for health professionals to use that will arm them with the information and arguments they need to coach patients into making positive decisions about their health.
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