MRI scans show exercise can make the brain look younger
3 days ago
- #MRI research
- #brain health
- #aerobic exercise
- 150 minutes of weekly aerobic exercise can make the brain look younger.
- Adults who exercised regularly for a year showed brains nearly a year younger than non-exercisers.
- The study focused on midlife, a critical period for long-term brain health benefits.
- MRI scans were used to measure brain age, showing a decrease in brain-PAD for exercisers.
- Exercise may support clearer thinking, better memory, and overall mental well-being.
- The study involved 130 healthy adults aged 26-58, with some assigned to an aerobic exercise group.
- The exercise group completed 150 minutes of aerobic activity weekly, matching ACSM guidelines.
- No clear factors like fitness or blood pressure fully explained the reduction in brain age.
- Targeting midlife for exercise interventions may delay or reduce later-life cognitive decline.
- Larger studies are needed to confirm if reduced brain-PAD lowers dementia or stroke risk.