Alzheimer’s disease is the most common and severe form of dementia, affecting 33.4% of people aged 85 and upwards. There is currently no effective treatment for Alzheimer’s disease and due to the aging population finding this treatment is more important than ever. Researchers have proposed a positive impact of exercise in reducing cognitive decline for patients with Alzheimer’s disease. Could this be the future of disease prevention? By Aayesha Jain
Every three seconds, someone in the world develops dementia (Alzheimer’s Disease International, 2023). By 2050, the number of Alzheimer’s cases is expected to triple, placing an unprecedented burden on caregivers, communities, and healthcare systems (World Health Organisation, 2023). But what if this trajectory could be slowed? Scientists at the University of Bristol and the Federal University of São Paulo have published new research signalling a possible preventative strategy for Alzheimer’s disease (AD), the most common and severe form of dementia.
To begin with, AD is a progressive neurological disease mainly causing memory loss, language decline, and difficulty in carrying out everyday activities, affecting 33.4% of people aged 85 or older. Symptoms and pathological brain changes caused by the disease appear almost 20 years prior, suggesting that physical and mental preventative strategies should be implemented in ageing adults (Gutierre et al., 2025). Research suggests that AD is caused by the buildup of abnormal proteins in the brain, which can form plaques and tangles, disrupting brain function. The disease has been linked to markers in the brain, specifically amyloid plaques, tau tangles, and areas of myelin degeneration and iron deposits in the oligodendrocytes (Abdullahi, Wong and Ng, 2024). Reductions in such markers in the brain’s hippocampus, a region responsible for memory and learning, may slow the progression of AD and prevent neural degeneration.
In recent years, research has been conducted on exercise as a tool to improve neural functions, with animal studies indicating relationships between physical exercise and cognitive functions. Yet, a causal link has not been formed between exercise and Alzheimer’s disease. Aerobic exercise, or continuous physical movement that increases the heart rate and the body’s use of oxygen, has shown some promising results in reducing the development of dementia. Consequently, a recent study by Gutierre et al. (2025) aimed to examine the role of aerobic exercise on the accumulation of tau, amyloid, and iron as well as hippocampal formation in the brain. To test this, a rodent study was conducted with an experimental group participating in exercise, and a control group.
The findings of the study showed that rodents who completed a structured aerobic exercise plan experienced significant reductions in tau tangles (around 63%), amyloid plaques (76%), and iron accumulation (reduced by 58%). Additionally, the experimental group showed improved brain health, reduced inflammation, and greater communication between brain cells. These results indicate increased balance in the brain’s function as it ages, indicating that structured exercise could act as a preventative technique for dementia in rodents.
While the present research aligns with past results on the positive effects of aerobic exercise and implements a rigorous method, there is limited transferability between rodents and aspects of AD in humans. Since several genetic differences exist between humans and rodents, the researchers are currently conducting similar human trials, considering further factors such as gender, age, and body constitution. Furthermore, it may be beneficial to look at the long-term effects of aerobic exercise on dementia, as research published in 2021 showed results to the contrary. A study by Yu et al. (2021) examined the immediate and long-term effects of 6-month cycling on cognition in older adults with AD and found that while exercise may reduce decline in cognitive abilities, aerobic exercise does not specifically show better results. Hence, while exercise is certainly an irreplaceable tool for improving physical and mental well-being, its relationship with dementia must be further researched. These results can be integrated into public health initiatives for older people using target exercise programs to prevent dementia.
For decades, Alzheimer’s disease has been like a locked door, trapping memories inside and leaving families struggling to find a key. But now, with ground-breaking research and promising treatments, that door may finally be cracking open. Imagine a future where grandparents easily recall special moments, from birthdays to childhood memories, as scientists turn ‘incurable’ into ‘treatable.’ It is not just a dream, but a tangible reality that could be achieved with continued efforts in psychological research.
References
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Abdullahi, A., Wong, T.W. and Ng, S.S. (2024) ‘Understanding the mechanisms of disease modifying effects of aerobic exercise in people with Alzheimer’s disease’, Ageing Research Reviews, 94, p. 102202. Available at: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.arr.2024.102202.
Alzheimer’s Disease International (2023) Dementia statistics. Available at: https://www.alzint.org/about/dementia-facts-figures/dementia-statistics (Accessed: 8 February 2025).
Gutierre, R.C. et al. (2025) ‘Tau, amyloid, iron, oligodendrocytes ferroptosis, and inflammaging in the hippocampal formation of aged rats submitted to an aerobic exercise program’, Brain Research, 1850, p. 149419. Available at: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.brainres.2024.149419.
University of Bristol (2025) Aerobic exercise: A powerful ally in fight against Alzheimer’s. ScienceDaily. www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/01/250115230749.htm (accessed February 6, 2025).
World Health Organization (2023) Dementia fact sheet. Available at: https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/dementia (Accessed: 8 February 2025).
Yu, F. et al. (2021) ‘Cognitive Effects of Aerobic Exercise in Alzheimer’s Disease: A Pilot Randomized Controlled Trial’, Journal of Alzheimer’s disease: JAD, 80(1), pp. 233–244. Available at: https://doi.org/10.3233/JAD-201100.
