Background

Beyond the numerous benefits that aerobic exercise offers, could it also help to prevent Alzheimer’s disease (AD), especially in people at risk for this condition?

The study

This randomized controlled trial assessed the effect of aerobic exercise on biomarkers associated with AD. All 23 participants had a parental history of AD, and 8 had at least one copy of apolipoprotein E4, a gene allele known to increase one’s risk of developing AD.[1] The mean age of the participants was 65 years.

The intervention group performed moderate-to-vigorous aerobic exercise under supervision three times weekly for 26 weeks. The control group was given educational materials. The following systemic biomarkers were measured to assess the effects of exercise and as indicators for AD risk:

  • Cathepsin B (CTSB), a signaling protein released by muscle cells and hypothesized to reduce AD risk

  • Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), a protein important for neurogenesis, learning, and memory

  • Klotho, an enzyme thought to improve cognition and help prevent AD

Additionally, a diverse set of fatty acid metabolites in the blood and feces were measured to assess metabolic changes.

The results

CTSB increased in the exercise group, whereas BDNF decreased and klotho remained mostly unchanged. Multiple lipid metabolite levels were changed, and many of them were correlated with changes in BDNF. Changes in CTSB were associated with cognitive performance, pointing at a possible but yet unproven link with decreasing AD risk.

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This Study Summary was published on August 3, 2021.

References

  1. ^E H Corder, A M Saunders, W J Strittmatter, D E Schmechel, P C Gaskell, G W Small, A D Roses, J L Haines, M A Pericak-VanceGene dose of apolipoprotein E type 4 allele and the risk of Alzheimer's disease in late onset familiesScience.(1993 Aug 13)