Longevity & Aging

Staying Active in Body and Mind May Slow Brain Metabolic Decline, but the Effects Are Small

Researchers in the Mayo Clinic Study of Aging asked whether physical and mentally stimulating activities relate to how Alzheimer's brain-imaging markers change over time. They followed adults aged 50+ who were cognitively unimpaired or had mild cognitive impairment, using amyloid PET, tau PET and FDG-PET (glucose metabolism). People reporting more total or moderate-to-vigorous physical activity showed a slower decline in brain glucose metabolism. Those reporting more cognitive activity showed both slower metabolic decline and a smaller increase in amyloid. No link emerged with tau accumulation. The effects were small and may not be clinically meaningful, and the observational design cannot establish cause and effect.