Here’s some good news for anyone who likes to keep moving: staying physically active as you get older might actually help protect your brain. A recent study from researchers at UC San Francisco found that exercise can change the chemistry of your brain in ways that help keep your thinking skills strong—even if your brain has signs of diseases like Alzheimer’s.
Let’s break it down.
Exercise and the Brain: A Powerful Connection
As we age, it's normal for our brains to face some wear and tear. But researchers found that older adults who stayed active had more of certain proteins in their brains. These proteins help brain cells (called neurons) talk to each other clearly and efficiently. And when these proteins are working well, your memory and thinking can stay sharp.
One of the most exciting parts? This brain-boosting effect showed up even in people who, after they died, were found to have the toxic proteins linked to Alzheimer’s disease. In other words, exercise might help your brain stay strong—even if it's dealing with damage from disease.
What the Scientists Did
The research team, led by Dr. Kaitlin Casaletto at UCSF and Dr. William Honer at the University of British Columbia, looked at data from a long-running study of older adults in Chicago. These participants allowed researchers to track their physical activity during their lives and agreed to donate their brains after death for research.
By studying these brains, the researchers discovered something remarkable: people who moved more had higher levels of the proteins that support brain connections (called synapses). And these proteins didn’t just show up in memory-related parts of the brain—they were found all over, helping many areas stay healthier.
Why Synapses Matter
Synapses are like tiny bridges between brain cells, where messages are passed along. These connections are where our thoughts, memories, and ideas happen. When synapses start to break down—like in Alzheimer’s—thinking and memory suffer.
But in this study, people with more of those “good” proteins in their synapses seemed to be protected, even when harmful proteins like amyloid and tau (which are usually signs of Alzheimer’s) were present. That means exercise could be helping to keep those bridges strong and prevent the brain from declining.
The Takeaway
So what’s the big message? Moving your body doesn’t just help your heart and muscles—it’s a gift to your brain, too. Whether it’s walking, dancing, gardening, or stretching, staying active might help your brain build up defenses against memory loss and even diseases like Alzheimer’s.
You don’t need to run marathons. Just keep moving. Your brain will thank you.
Source: https://alz-journals.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1002/alz.12530
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