A recent study published in Neuroimage has shown the vital role of physical and social activities in protecting the brain, particularly a region critical for memory, the entorhinal cortex.
This part of the brain, located in the inner part of the temporal lobe, is crucial for learning and memory, and is known to be affected in Alzheimer’s disease patients, even in early stages.
Researchers from the University of Zurich explored how different leisure activities influence brain health in the elderly.
They used data from a 12-year longitudinal study initiated by Lutz Jäncke, a professor emeritus at the University of Zurich.
The study aimed to examine the link between the thickness of the entorhinal cortex, memory performance, and leisure activities in cognitively healthy individuals over 65 years old, over seven years.
The entorhinal cortex, about 3.5 millimeters thick, is notably one of the first regions to be impacted in Alzheimer’s disease.
The findings were significant. The researchers found that participants who were more physically and socially active at the study’s start showed a slower decrease in the thickness of their entorhinal cortex over the seven-year period.
This correlation underscores the importance of an active lifestyle in maintaining brain health and preventing neurodegeneration later in life.
Moreover, the study revealed a direct relationship between the thickness of the entorhinal cortex and memory performance.
Participants whose entorhinal cortex thickness diminished less over time also experienced a lesser reduction in memory abilities.
Interestingly, the study also found that those with higher memory performance at the beginning experienced a slower decline in memory over the study period.
This supports the concept of a ‘cognitive reserve’ – the idea that the brain can be continuously trained throughout life to offset age-related decline, much like a muscle.
In essence, this research provides compelling evidence that maintaining an active lifestyle, both physically and socially, is not just beneficial for general health, but is also crucial for preserving brain health, particularly memory, in older age.
If you care about brain health, please read studies about vitamin D deficiency linked to Alzheimer’s and vascular dementia, and higher magnesium intake could help benefit brain health.
For more information about brain health, please see recent studies about antioxidants that could help reduce dementia risk, and coconut oil could help improve cognitive function in Alzheimer’s.
The research findings can be found in Neuroimage.
Copyright © 2024 Knowridge Science Report. All rights reserved.
