Modest exercise in midlife may slow brain decline years later, study finds
Research from UT Health San Antonio found that physical activity and healthy blood sugar in midlife are linked to slower cognitive decline later in life, with the effects varying by ethnicity.
A new study from UT Health San Antonio suggests that cardiovascular health in midlife can shape how quickly a person's thinking abilities decline decades later. Researchers analyzed data from 402 San Antonio residents, 52% of whom were Hispanic and the rest non-Hispanic white. Participants had an average age of 57.9, and 58.5% were women.
The study found that the link between cardiovascular health and cognitive aging differed by ethnic group. Among Mexican American participants, engaging in any level of physical activity, rather than being sedentary, was most strongly associated with a slower rate of cognitive decline. Among non-Hispanic white participants, the key factor was fasting blood glucose: readings of 126 milligrams per deciliter or lower were linked to slower cognitive decline.
Background
An estimated 6.7 million people in the United States currently live with Alzheimer's disease, and nearly 40% of cases may be tied to modifiable risk factors. Hispanic older adults face a disproportionately higher rate of Alzheimer's diagnosis than non-Hispanic white older adults, yet remain underrepresented in dementia research.
Participants had previously taken part in the long-running San Antonio Heart Study and the San Antonio Longitudinal Study of Aging. Cardiovascular health was assessed using the American Heart Association's Life's Simple 7 framework, while cognitive ability was tracked over time using a standardized 11-question screening test.
The researchers note that further studies with larger samples are needed to confirm the ethnic differences observed. Study participants are now being invited to join a new project that will use brain imaging to further explore cognitive aging.
