Association of physical activity and sedentary time with structural brain networks—The Maastricht Study

Abstract

We assessed whether objectively measured low- and high-intensity physical activity (LPA and HPA) and sedentary time (ST) were associated with white matter connectivity, both throughout the whole brain and in brain regions involved in motor function. In the large population-based Maastricht Study (n = 1715, age 59.6 ± 8.1 (mean ± standard deviation) years, and 48% women), the amounts of LPA, HPA, and ST were objectively measured during 7 days by an activPAL accelerometer. In addition, using 3T structural and diffusion MRI, we calculated whole brain node degree and node degree of the basal ganglia and primary motor cortex. Multivariable linear regression analysis was performed, and we report standardized regression coefficients (stβ) adjusted for age, sex, education level, wake time, diabetes status, BMI, office systolic blood pressure, antihypertensive medication, total-cholesterol-to-HDL-cholesterol ratio, lipid-modifying medication, alcohol use, smoking status, and history of cardiovascular disease. Lower HPA was associated with lower whole brain node degree after full adjustment (stβ [95%CI] = − 0.062 [− 0.101, − 0.013]; p = 0.014), whereas lower LPA (stβ [95%CI] = − 0.013 [− 0.061, 0.034]; p = 0.580) and higher ST (stβ [95%CI] = − 0.030 [− 0.081, 0.021]; p = 0.250) was not. In addition, lower HPA was associated with lower node degree of the basal ganglia after full adjustment (stβ [95%CI] = − 0.070 [− 0.121, − 0.018]; p = 0.009). Objectively measured lower HPA, but not lower LPA and higher ST, was associated with lower whole brain node degree and node degree in specific brain regions highly specialized in motor function. Further research is needed to establish whether more HPA may preserve structural brain connectivity.

Patterns of Accelerometer-Measured Physical Activity and Health Outcomes in Adults: A Systematic Review

“…Brain structure. Associations between different intensities of physical activity and brain structure were examined in 3 cross-sectional studies (41,56,67). Overall, average minutes per day of physical activity accumulated at different intensities was not associated with basal ganglia, primary motor cortex, parietal lobe, and occipital lobe volume (56).…”

“…Associations between different intensities of physical activity and brain structure were examined in 3 cross-sectional studies (41,56,67). Overall, average minutes per day of physical activity accumulated at different intensities was not associated with basal ganglia, primary motor cortex, parietal lobe, and occipital lobe volume (56). Average time in "moderate-to-vigorous" physical activity, but not in "light" intensity, was positively associated with left hippocampal volume (41), and average times in "light" and "moderateto-vigorous" physical activity were associated with higher total cerebral brain volume (67).…”

Association Between Accelerometer-Derived Physical Activity Measurements and Brain Structure

“…13 A recent population-based study observed motor cortex and basal ganglia structural connectivity to be positively associated with physical activity. 45 Thus, the effects of physical activity on white matter microstructure may be largely confined to structural connectivity between regions involved in motor functions.…”

The Effects of Irisin Hormone and the FNDC5 Gene on Brain Functions and Exercise: A Systematic Review

“…Additionally, it is unclear how physical activity and sedentary behavior effect early brain function changes. Physical inactivity and sedentary behavior have been linked to structural brain alterations such as neurodegeneration and cerebral small artery disease, and there is a definite link between the variables [7][8][9] . While atrophy and cerebral microvascular disease are almost certainly irreversible, new indications of early reversible brain changes may be present in individuals as concerns 8 .…”

“…Physical inactivity and sedentary behavior have been linked to structural brain alterations such as neurodegeneration and cerebral small artery disease, and there is a definite link between the variables [7][8][9] . While atrophy and cerebral microvascular disease are almost certainly irreversible, new indications of early reversible brain changes may be present in individuals as concerns 8 . Physical inactivity is a known global public health problem that is increasing in prevalence and has a harmful effect on disease patterns everywhere.…”