Exercise May Delay Rare Form of Alzheimer's

A study published in Alzheimer's & Dementia: The Journal of the Alzheimer's Association suggests regular exercise could postpone a rare form of early onset Alzheimer's, reports HealthDay News . The investigators determined 2.5 weekly hours of walking or other physical activity foiled mental decline linked to autosomal dominant Alzheimer's disease (ADAD). They analyzed data on 275 people carrying a genetic mutation for ADAD, average age 38. The researchers sought to learn whether 150 minutes of walking, running, swimming, or other exercise a week could help delay or slow disease progression. Participants who received more physical activity scored higher on brain function assessments, and also exhibited lower levels of key biological markers of Alzheimer's in their cerebrospinal fluid, including the tau protein. "A physically active lifestyle is achievable and may play an important role in delaying the development and progression of ADAD," say the researchers. "Individuals at genetic risk for dementia should therefore be counseled to pursue a physically active lifestyle."