A recent study published by Vanderbilt University Medical Center and the University of Pittsburgh found that prolonged sedentary behavior in adults over 50 is linked to cognitive decline and brain shrinkage, even among those who exercise regularly. The research suggests that breaking up sedentary time throughout the day may be a key strategy for protecting brain health.
The study involved 404 adults aged 50 and older who wore a watch to track their activity levels over a week. Participants who spent more time sitting were found to experience cognitive decline and neurodegenerative changes, regardless of how much they exercised. The effect was strongest in individuals carrying the APOE-e4 gene, a major genetic risk factor for Alzheimer’s disease.
Reducing sedentary time may be especially important for older adults at increased genetic risk for Alzheimer’s disease. “Minimizing the time spent sitting, even if you do exercise daily, reduces the likelihood of developing Alzheimer’s disease,” said Dr. Marissa Gogniat, assistant professor of Neurology at Pitt and former postdoctoral fellow at the Vanderbilt Memory and Alzheimer’s Center.
The study provides evidence that reducing sedentary behavior can be a promising strategy for preventing neurodegeneration and subsequent cognitive decline. As over 6 million Americans are impacted by Alzheimer’s disease, this research highlights the importance of taking breaks from sitting throughout the day to increase active time.
Source: https://neurosciencenews.com/sedentary-brain-alzheimers-28963