Physical activity is related to the structural integrity of cerebral white matter.
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the relation between physical exercise and the microstructural integrity of cerebral white matter.


METHODS
Four hundred forty individuals with cerebral small-vessel disease, aged between 50 and 85 years, without dementia, were included and underwent MRI scanning. Physical exercise was assessed with a structured questionnaire. The cross-sectional relation between physical exercise and the microstructural integrity of the white matter was assessed by applying Tract-Based Spatial Statistics to diffusion tensor imaging parameters.


RESULTS
Being more physically active was negatively related to the mean, axial, and radial diffusivity in numerous regions of the white matter, indicative of higher white matter integrity.


CONCLUSIONS
These data indicate an association between physical activity and the integrity of the cerebral white matter's microstructure. Prospective studies are required to investigate a possible causal association between physical activity and cognitive decline.
From the Department of Neurology (R.A.R.G.), Catharina Hospital, Eindhoven; Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behavior, Center for Neuroscience, Departments of Neurology (R.A.R.G., A.M.T., K.F.d. L., A.G.W.v.N., E.J.v.D., F.-E.d.L.) and Psychiatry (M.P.Z.), Radboud University Nijmegen Medical Center; and Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behavior, Center for Cognitive Neuroimaging, Radboud University Nijmegen (D.G.N., M.P.Z.), the Netherlands.
Rob A R
RA
Gons
Anil M
AM
Tuladhar
Karlijn F
KF
de Laat
Anouk G W
AG
van Norden
Ewoud J
EJ
van Dijk
David G
DG
Norris
Marcel P
MP
Zwiers
Frank-Erik
FE
de Leeuw
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D059345:Cerebral Small Vessel Diseases / Q000473:pathology* / Q000503:physiopathology*; D054022:Cerebrum / Q000473:pathology*; D016009:Chi-Square Distribution; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D056324:Diffusion Tensor Imaging; D015444:Exercise / Q000502:physiology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009413:Nerve Fibers, Myelinated / Q000473:pathology*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires