Daily Steps linked to Slower Alzheimer’s Progression, Newโ Study Finds
BOSTON, MA – A new study from theโฃ harvardโ Brain Aging Study reveals a compelling link betweenโข daily step count and the rate โof โcognitive decline in older adults, especially those with elevated levels of amyloid beta, a protein associated with Alzheimer’s disease. Researchers foundโฃ that increasingโฃ daily steps mayโ correlate with a slower accumulation of tau, anotherโ protein implicated in the โdisease,โฃ and afterward, โslower cognitive progression.
The research, โฃpublished today, offers a promising avenueโ for preventative strategies against Alzheimer’s, suggesting that even modest increases in physical activity could build cognitive resilience.โค while the study showed noโฃ notable โassociation between step count โขand cognitive outcomes in individuals โwith low amyloid beta levels, the findings are particularly encouraging forโ those already exhibiting early โคbiological signs of โthe disease.
“We are โexcited that data from the Harvard Brain Aging Study have contributed to a better understanding of โฃthe importance of โคphysical activity in maintaining brain health,” saidโ Dr. Reisa Sperling. โคShe added, “These findings demonstrateโ thatโ it is possible to develop cognitive resilience and resistance to tau pathology โขin โthe context of preclinical Alzheimer’s disease. This isโ especially encouraging in our quest to prevent Alzheimer’s disease dementia, as well as reduce dementia โcausedโค by multiple factors.”
The study utilized analytical models โand โtracked participants through annual follow-ups forโ up to fourteen years, establishing a clear correlationโฃ between daily step count and brain health indicators.Researchers now โฃplan to investigateโฃ the specific components of exercise that โyield the most significant benefits, as well as the underlying biological โmechanisms connecting physical activity to โคtau accumulation.
Future clinical โtrials are โคanticipated to build upon theseโ results, โคfocusing on exercise interventions for older adults at โขhigh risk for Alzheimer’s.”We want to empower people toโค protect their brain and cognitive health by โคstaying physically active,” concluded Dr. Wai-Ying Wendy Yau. “every step counts, and even small increases in daily physical activity can add up over time to create lasting changes in habitsโฃ and health.”