Abstract
Background: Engagement in cognitively stimulating activities (CA) and leisure time physical activity (PA) have been associated with maintaining cognitive performance and reducing the likelihood of cognitive decline in older adults. However, neural mechanisms underlying protective effects of these lifestyle behaviors are largely unknown. In the current study, we investigated the effect of self-reported PA and CA on hippocampal volume and semantic processing activation during a fame discrimination task, as measured by functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI). We also examined whether possession of the apolipoprotein E (APOE) ?4 allele could moderate the effect of PA or CA on hippocampal structure or function. Methods: Seventy-eight healthy, cognitively intact older adults underwent baseline neuropsychological assessment, hippocampal volume measurement via manually-traced structural MRI, and task-activated fMRI. Results: After 18 months, 27 participants declined by one standard deviation or more on follow-up neuropsychological testing. Logistic regression analyses revealed that CA alone or in combination with baseline hippocampal structure or functional activity did not predict the probability of cognitive decline. In contrast, PA interacted with APOE 4 status such that engagement in PA reduced the risk of cognitive decline in APOE 4 carriers only. Furthermore, the benefits of PA appeared to diminish with reduced functional activity or volume in the hippocampus. Conclusions: Our findings suggest that increased leisure time PA is associated with reduced probability of cognitive decline in persons who are at high risk for AD. The beneficial effects of PA in this group may be related to enhancement of the functional and structural integrity of the hippocampus.
Keywords: Apolipoprotein E, cognitive activity, cognitive decline, functional magnetic resonance imaging, hippocampus, physical activity, APOE e4 allele, neuropsychological evaluation
Current Alzheimer Research
Title:Lifestyle and Genetic Contributions to Cognitive Decline and Hippocampal Structure and Function in Healthy Aging
Volume: 9 Issue: 4
Author(s): John L. Woodard, Michael A. Sugarman, Kristy A. Nielson, J. Carson Smith, Michael Seidenberg and Sally Durgerian, Alissa Butts, Nathan Hantke, Melissa Lancaster, Monica A. Matthews
Affiliation:
Keywords: Apolipoprotein E, cognitive activity, cognitive decline, functional magnetic resonance imaging, hippocampus, physical activity, APOE e4 allele, neuropsychological evaluation
Abstract: Background: Engagement in cognitively stimulating activities (CA) and leisure time physical activity (PA) have been associated with maintaining cognitive performance and reducing the likelihood of cognitive decline in older adults. However, neural mechanisms underlying protective effects of these lifestyle behaviors are largely unknown. In the current study, we investigated the effect of self-reported PA and CA on hippocampal volume and semantic processing activation during a fame discrimination task, as measured by functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI). We also examined whether possession of the apolipoprotein E (APOE) ?4 allele could moderate the effect of PA or CA on hippocampal structure or function. Methods: Seventy-eight healthy, cognitively intact older adults underwent baseline neuropsychological assessment, hippocampal volume measurement via manually-traced structural MRI, and task-activated fMRI. Results: After 18 months, 27 participants declined by one standard deviation or more on follow-up neuropsychological testing. Logistic regression analyses revealed that CA alone or in combination with baseline hippocampal structure or functional activity did not predict the probability of cognitive decline. In contrast, PA interacted with APOE 4 status such that engagement in PA reduced the risk of cognitive decline in APOE 4 carriers only. Furthermore, the benefits of PA appeared to diminish with reduced functional activity or volume in the hippocampus. Conclusions: Our findings suggest that increased leisure time PA is associated with reduced probability of cognitive decline in persons who are at high risk for AD. The beneficial effects of PA in this group may be related to enhancement of the functional and structural integrity of the hippocampus.
Export Options
About this article
Cite this article as:
John L. Woodard, Michael A. Sugarman, Kristy A. Nielson, J. Carson Smith, Michael Seidenberg and Sally Durgerian, Alissa Butts, Nathan Hantke, Melissa Lancaster, Monica A. Matthews , Lifestyle and Genetic Contributions to Cognitive Decline and Hippocampal Structure and Function in Healthy Aging, Current Alzheimer Research 2012; 9 (4) . https://dx.doi.org/10.2174/156720512800492477
DOI https://dx.doi.org/10.2174/156720512800492477 |
Print ISSN 1567-2050 |
Publisher Name Bentham Science Publisher |
Online ISSN 1875-5828 |
Call for Papers in Thematic Issues
New Advances in the Prevention, Diagnosis, Treatment, and Rehabilitation of Alzheimer's Disease
Aims and Scope: Introduction: Alzheimer's disease (AD) poses a significant global health challenge, with an increasing prevalence that demands concerted efforts to advance our understanding and strategies for prevention, diagnosis, treatment, and rehabilitation. This thematic issue aims to bring together cutting-edge research and innovative approaches from multidisciplinary perspectives to address ...read more
Current updates on the Role of Neuroinflammation in Neurodegenerative Disorders
Neuroinflammation is an invariable hallmark of chronic and acute neurodegenerative disorders and has long been considered a potential drug target for Alzheimer?s disease (AD) and dementia. Significant evidence of inflammatory processes as a feature of AD is provided by the presence of inflammatory markers in plasma, CSF and postmortem brain ...read more
Deep Learning for Advancing Alzheimer's Disease Research
Alzheimer's disease (AD) poses a significant global health challenge, with an increasing number of individuals affected yearly. Deep learning, a subfield of artificial intelligence, has shown immense potential in various domains, including healthcare. This thematic issue of Current Alzheimer Research explores the application of deep learning techniques in advancing our ...read more
Diagnostic and therapeutic biomarkers of dementia
Dementia affects 18 million people worldwide. Dementia is a syndrome of symptoms caused by brain disease, usually chronic or progressive, clinically characterized by multiple impairments of higher cortical functions such as memory, thinking, orientation, and learning. In addition, in the course of dementia, cognitive deficits are observed, which often hinder ...read more
- Author Guidelines
- Graphical Abstracts
- Fabricating and Stating False Information
- Research Misconduct
- Post Publication Discussions and Corrections
- Publishing Ethics and Rectitude
- Increase Visibility of Your Article
- Archiving Policies
- Peer Review Workflow
- Order Your Article Before Print
- Promote Your Article
- Manuscript Transfer Facility
- Editorial Policies
- Allegations from Whistleblowers
- Announcements
Related Articles
-
Selective Neuronal Nitric Oxide Synthase Inhibitors
Current Topics in Medicinal Chemistry Phytochemicals for Drug Discovery in Alzheimer’s Disease: <i>In Silico</i> Advances
Current Pharmaceutical Design Effects of Opiates and HIV Proteins on Neurons: The Role of Ferritin Heavy Chain and a Potential for Synergism
Current HIV Research Contemporary Review of Drugs Used to Treat Obesity
Cardiovascular & Hematological Agents in Medicinal Chemistry Lipases in Medicine: An Overview
Mini-Reviews in Medicinal Chemistry The Mechanisms and Quantification of the Selective Permeability in Transport Across Biological Barriers: the Example of Kyotorphin
Mini-Reviews in Medicinal Chemistry Nanoneuromedicines for Neurodegenerative Diseases
Nanoscience & Nanotechnology-Asia Role of Inflammatory Markers in Elderly Type 2 Diabetic Patients with Mild Cognitive Impairment
Current Diabetes Reviews Novel Anticoagulants vs Warfarin for Stroke Prevention in Atrial Fibrillation
Cardiovascular & Hematological Disorders-Drug Targets Mononuclear Cell Recruitment and Inflammation in Atherosclerosis
Vascular Disease Prevention (Discontinued) Clinical Pharmacology of Current and Future Drugs for the Acute Treatment of Migraine: A Review and An Update
Current Clinical Pharmacology β-amyloid and Oxidative Stress: Perspectives in Drug Development
Current Pharmaceutical Design Green Tea, A Medicinal Food with Promising Neurological Benefits
Current Neuropharmacology Herbal Medicines for the Prevention and Treatment of Alzheimer's Disease
Current Pharmaceutical Design Editorial: Novel Perspectives in the Treatment of Epilepsy
Current Pharmaceutical Design The Role of Berberine in the Multi-Target Treatment of Senile Dementia
Current Topics in Medicinal Chemistry MCI Patients Declining and Not-Declining at Mid-Term Follow-Up: FDG-PET Findings
Current Alzheimer Research Telomeres, Senescence and Longevity: The Role of Oxidative Stress and Antioxidants
Current Pharmacogenomics Simvastatin is Protective During Staphylococcus aureus Pneumonia
Current Pharmaceutical Biotechnology An Overview of EEG Seizure Detection Units and Identifying their Complexity- A Review
Current Signal Transduction Therapy