Open AccessPhysical activity predicts reduced plasma β amyloid in the Cardiovascular Health Study
Author(s) -
Stillman Chelsea M.,
Lopez Oscar L.,
Becker James T.,
Kuller Lewis H.,
Mehta Pankaj D.,
Tracy Russell P.,
Erickson Kirk I.
Publication year - 2017
Publication title -
annals of clinical and translational neurology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.824
H-Index - 42
ISSN - 2328-9503
DOI - 10.1002/acn3.397
Subject(s) - medicine , cognitive impairment , cognition , cystatin c , cognitive decline , logistic regression , body mass index , gerontology , effects of sleep deprivation on cognitive performance , disease , physical therapy , cardiology , dementia , psychiatry , renal function
Objective Higher levels of physical activity ( PA ) reduce the risk of cognitive impairment, but the underlying mechanisms are unclear. Using longitudinal data from the Cardiovascular Health Study, we examined whether PA predicted plasma A β levels and risk for cognitive decline 9–13 years later. Methods Linear and logistic regressions (controlling for APOE status, age, gender, body mass index, cardiovascular disease, brain white matter lesions, and cystatin C levels) tested associations between PA , A β , and cognitive impairment in a sample of 149 cognitively normal older adults (mean age 83 years). Results More PA at baseline predicted lower levels of A β 9–13 years later. Higher A β levels at year 9 predicted greater risk for cognitive impairment at year 13. Levels of A β at year 9 mediated the relationship between PA and cognitive impairment. Interpretation Greater PA may reduce plasma levels of a neurotoxic peptide at an age when the risk for cognitive impairment is especially high.