Exercise protects brain volume by keeping insulin and BMI levels low

Exercise protects brain volume by keeping insulin and BMI levels low

MINNEAPOLIS — Exercise helps protect brain cells, research shows

"These results can help us understand how physical activity affects brain health, which could guide us in developing strategies to prevent or delay age-related declines in memory and thinking skills," said study author Dr.

In contrast, the researchers found that the relationship between exercise and brain glucose metabolism was not affected by insulin or body mass index (BMI) levels

The study involved 134 people with an average age of 69 who had no memory problems

People who were the most physically active had more total gray matter in their brains than those who were the least physically active, averaging about 550,000 cubic millimeters, compared with about 540,000 millimeters in the least physically active people

Those who were the most active also had a higher average rate of glucose metabolism in the brain than those who were the least active

Higher physical activity was not associated with the amount of amyloid plaques in people's brains

More research is needed to understand the mechanisms behind these relationships, Poponel said

The study did not prove that exercise protects brain volume

A limitation of the study is that people reported their physical activity, so they may not remember it accurately

This research was supported by the European Union's Horizon 2020 Research and Innovation Programme, the Normandy Region and the MMA Foundation for Future Entrepreneurs

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The American Academy of Neurology is the world's largest association of neurologists and neuroscience professionals, with more than 38,000 members