Presentation from the public lecture by Belinda Brown on 5 & 6 October 2010

1. The Effect of Physical Activity on
Alzheimer’s Disease
Belinda Brown

2. Benefits of Physical Activity
• Benefits of regular physical activity;
 Prevents cardiovascular disease
 Increases independence
 Reduces body weight
 Alleviation of depression

3. Physical Activity Levels in Australia

5. Physical Activity and Cognition/Memory
Physical Activity and Dementia/Alzheimer’s Disease
How Physical Activity May Delay AD

6. Physical Activity and Memory
Source: Fabre et al, 2002
• French Study
• Physical and Mental
Activity improved
cognition
• Eight people per
group
• Only outcome was
cognition

7. Physical Exercise and Cognitive Stimulation (PEACS)
• 200 participants; 50 allocated to each trial group
▫ Control Group
▫ Physical Activity
▫ Cognitive Stimulation (2 programmes from POSIT Science)
▫ Combined PA+CS
• Each individual undertakes;
▫ Memory tests
▫ Blood testing
▫ Activity Monitor Assessment
• Sub-groups;
▫ PET brain imaging
▫ CSF collection (Lumbar Puncture)
▫ DEXA Scanning (Body Composition)
▫ Physical Fitness Assessments

8. Lowest intensity activity = Lowest
memory score
Highest intensity activity =
Highest memory score
Our Research....
0

9. Physical Activity and Cognition/Memory
Physical Activity and Dementia/Alzheimer’s Disease
How Physical Activity May Prevent AD

10. 0 20 40 60 80
Genetic Risk
Factors
Risk Factors
Protective Factors
High
Education
Socio-Economic
Status Factors
Life Habits (eg smoking), hypertension,
occupation, depression, head trauma
Physical Activity Diet
Rich social networks
Mental ActivitiesDiet
Protective factor at mid-life and late-life

11. Physical Activity and Onset Delay of AD
Source: Larson et al 2006
Those exercising
more than three
times a week, are
more likely to be
dementia free as
they age
DementiaRisk
More Exercise = Less Dementia Risk

12. Our Research....
• Collecting longitudinal data every 18 months to
find out;
▫ Do individuals that exercise, have a less chance of
developing Alzheimer’s in the future?
▫ Do individuals that go from being sedentary to
physically active, still receive the benefit of reduce
AD risk?

13. Physical Activity and Cognition/Memory
Physical Activity and Dementia/Alzheimer’s Disease
How Physical Activity May Prevent AD

14. Decrease in Amyloid – Mouse Model
Source: Adlard, P. A. et al
The effect of exercise on Amyloid-β load in three different brain
regions of transgenic mice

15. Decrease in Amyloid – Our Research...
0
Lowest activity = highest Aβ
Highest activity = lowest Aβ

16. Some other ideas....
• Increase in brain-derived neurotrophic factor
(BDNF)
▫ Stimulates growth of new brain cells
▫ Improves learning and mental performance
• Increase in synaptic plasticity (ability of brain
to learn and remember)
• Reduces risk of Cardiovascular Disease
and Type II Diabetes

17. • You don’t have to be an elite
athlete
• Benefits can be gained from 30
minutes exercise daily
• More pronounced benefit when
intensity is higher

18. No matter what age you are, your life-style
choices may contribute to the risk of AD
Beyond increases to cognition, physical activity
can aid in many aspects of health and increase
function and independence