A recent study conducted by researchers at the University of Zurich (UZH) highlights the big positive impact of physical and social activities on the entorhinal cortex, a brain region crucial for memory.
This area is often impaired in individuals with Alzheimer’s disease, even in the early stages.
The research aimed to explore how various leisure activities, including physical, social, and cognitive engagements, influence brain health in older adults.
Data was analyzed from a long-term study focused on brain development and behavior in individuals over the age of 65.
The study, initiated 12 years ago by Professor Lutz Jäncke and co-lead Susan Mérillat, aimed to investigate the relationships between the thickness of the entorhinal cortex, memory performance, and leisure activities in cognitively healthy older adults over seven years.
The entorhinal cortex, a critical component of the temporal lobe’s inner part, is vital for learning and memory processes and is one of the early regions affected by Alzheimer’s disease.
The study findings revealed that individuals who engaged in higher levels of physical and social activities experienced less thinning of their entorhinal cortex over the seven-year study period.
This decrease in thickness was closely associated with memory performance, suggesting that maintaining an active lifestyle can help preserve brain health and prevent neurodegeneration.
Additionally, the study demonstrated that participants with higher memory performance at the study’s outset experienced less decline in memory performance over time.
This supports the concept of a “cognitive reserve,” indicating that the brain can be trained and strengthened throughout life to counteract age-related cognitive decline.
In essence, the research underscores the importance of staying physically, mentally, and socially active as individuals age.
These findings emphasize that an active lifestyle, including regular physical exercise and social engagement, plays a crucial role in preserving brain health and protecting against neurodegenerative conditions such as Alzheimer’s disease.
The study’s results align with the Swiss Health Survey conducted in 2022, which revealed that approximately three-quarters of people over the age of 65 in Switzerland engage in the recommended amount of physical exercise in their daily lives.
This suggests that many older adults in Switzerland are already embracing an active and health-conscious lifestyle, which can contribute to enhanced brain health in later life.
If you care about Alzheimer’s disease, please read studies about New Alzheimer’s treatment: anti-inflammatory drug may prevent memory loss and findings of The diabetes drug surprise: a possible shield against Alzheimer’s?
For more information about dementia, please see recent studies about Brain food: nourishing your mind to outsmart dementia and results showing that Re-evaluating the role of diet in dementia risk.
The research findings can be found in NeuroImage.
