Understanding vascular mechanisms behind the protective effects of exercise on the brain
Healthy lifestyle behaviors (such as aerobic exercise) in middle age are critical to preserve brain health and prevent later-life Alzheimer’s disease and dementia, for which there is no known treatment. However, it is still unclear exactly how exercise “protects” the brain. Regular aerobic exercise (e.g. aerobic exercise training) may protect the brain by improving artery function and how blood flow is delivered to the brain, ultimately benefiting cognitive function. The purpose of this study was to compare the effects of 12 weeks of supervised aerobic exercise training versus a wait-list control group on brain blood flow, artery function, and cognitive function in middle-aged adults. This study was funded by Iowa State University College of Human Sciences. If we can identify specific vascular mechanisms that contribute to the protective effects of exercise on the brain it will provide us with valuable "targets" to optimize and tailor exercise prescription for specific groups so that we can maximize benefits for the brain and help prevent cognitive disease with age.