What do we know from clinical trials on exercise and Alzheimer's disease?

Abstract

Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is the most common form of dementia in elderly with major symptoms of a general term for memory loss and other intellectual abilities impairment which are serious enough to interfere with daily life. While there is no treatment can prevent and revise the cognitive function impairment in AD, physical activity becomes a potential beneficial intervention for AD. Multiple evidences suggested that exercise in general plays beneficial roles in improving brain function. Most common mechanisms of exercise-induced enhancement of brain function are including alteration of neurogenesis, neuron plasticity, neuronal signaling and receptors, as well as neuronal networks. This mini review includes most recent clinical studies and focuses on the effects of physical exercise, cognitive stimulation, and combination of both physical and cognitive training on protection and rescue cognitive decline in people with AD.

How younger elderly realize usefulness of cognitive training video games to maintain their independent living

“…However, one of the issues facing elderly's independent living is age-related cognitive decline (Ervin et al, 2012). This study was based on the support of literature for positive impact of intellectual exercise and training on the maintenance of cognitive abilities in elderly people (Fleiner et al, 2017;Öhman et al, 2016;Shen and Li, 2016). However, Vichitvanichphong et al (2017) believe that the existing adoption theories lack sufficient attention towards the context of empowering technologies such as cognitive training Xbox Kinects games, due in large part to the difficulty of the elderly for understanding the effectiveness or transfer effect of empowering technologies.…”

“…There is a body of research on the positive impact of intellectual exercise and training on the maintenance of cognitive abilities in older age (Fleiner et al, 2017;Öhman et al, 2016;Shen and Li, 2016).…”

“…Although adverse side effects such as disorientation and increased falls have been reported from the use of expensive, anti-psychotic medications (Kanagaratnam et al, 2016), those medications are still being largely prescribed (Axmon et al, 2017). However, there is a body of research on the positive impact of intellectual exercise and learning that helps maintain cognitive abilities in the elderly (Fleiner et al, 2017;Öhman et al, 2016;Shen and Li, 2016). In recent years, video games and motion-based technology that are designed to implement intellectual exercises -such as Xbox Kinect -have gained attention in both commercial (Shah et al, 2017) and research communities (Dove and Astell, 2017).…”

Emerging Anti-Aging Strategies - Scientific Basis and Efficacy

“…Another study showed that combined physical and cognitive activity improves or maintains cognitive and physical performance in older individuals diagnosed with mild cognitive impairment (MCI), especially the amnestic type [157]. Clinical trials on the effects of various exercises on the prevention of the AD suggested that long-term physical activity with a multicomponent cognitive intervention improves cognitive function in patients with AD [158]. Overall, the results imply that, after the onset of MCI or early AD, PE intervention alone may not be sufficient but still has the promise to improve function when combined with adequate cognitive activity.…”

Physical activity and prevention of Alzheimer's disease

“…In this special section, we invited 5 world-recognized clinical and basic scientists who specialize in AD studies to present the most recent discoveries: biomarkers for AD (Hampel et al. 1 ), the newest drug development (Vassar 2 ), potential anti-Tau therapy (Takashima 3 ), microbiome as a novel therapeutic approach (Lukiw 4 ), and exercise in the prevention of AD (Shen and Li 5 ).…”