The Effects of Aerobic Exercise on Cognitive and Neural Decline in Aging and Cardiovascular Disease.
Aging is characterized by a decline in cognitive functions, particularly in the domains of executive function, processing speed and episodic memory. These age-related declines are exacerbated by cardiovascular disease (CVD) and cardiovascular risk factors (hypertension, diabetes, obesity, elevated total cholesterol). Structural and functional alterations in brain regions, including the fronto-parietal and medial temporal lobes, have been linked to age- and CVD-related cognitive decline. Multiple recent studies indicate that aerobic exercise programs may slow the progression of age-related neural changes and reduce the risk for mild cognitive impairment as well as dementia. We review age- and CVD-related decline in cognition and the underlying changes in brain morphology and function, and then clarify the impact of aerobic exercise on moderating these patterns.
Memory Disorders Research Center (151A), VA Boston Healthcare System and Boston University School of Medicine, 150 South Huntington Ave, Boston, MA 02130, USA; Neuroimaging Research for Veterans Center, VA Boston Healthcare System, Boston, MA, USA.
Scott M
SM
Hayes
Memory Disorders Research Center (151A), VA Boston Healthcare System and Boston University School of Medicine, 150 South Huntington Ave, Boston, MA 02130, USA; Department of Psychological Sciences, Kent State University, Kent, OH, USA.
Michael L
ML
Alosco
Geriatric Research, Education, and Clinical Center, VA Pittsburgh Healthcare System, Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Geriatric Cardiology Section, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, Pittsburgh, PA, USA.
Daniel E
DE
Forman
Aerobic fitness; Aging; Attention; Cardiorespiratory fitness; Cardiovascular disease; Cognitive control; Declarative memory; Diffusion tensor imaging; Episodic memory; Executive functions; Exercise; MRI; Memory; Physical activity; Processing speed; fMRI