Actigraphy-estimated physical activity is associated with functional and structural brain connectivity among older adults

Higher physical activity levels are associated with reduced cognitive decline among older adults; however, current understanding of underlying brain mechanisms is limited. This cross-sectional study investigated the relationship between actigraphy-estimated total volume of physical activity (TVPA) a...

Full description

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Published in:Neurobiology of aging 2022-08, Vol.116, p.32-40
Main Authors: Soldan, Anja, Alfini, Alfonso, Pettigrew, Corinne, Faria, Andreia, Hou, Xirui, Lim, Chantelle, Lu, Hanzhang, Spira, Adam P., Zipunnikov, Vadim, Albert, Marilyn
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Accelerometry
Actigraphy
Aged
Brain - pathology
Cognitive Dysfunction - pathology
Cross-Sectional Studies
Diffusion Tensor Imaging
Exercise
Functional connectivity
Humans
Magnetic Resonance Imaging
Neuropsychological Tests
Physical activity
White Matter - diagnostic imaging
White matter hyperintensities
White matter microstructure
Citations: Items that this one cites
Items that cite this one
Online Access:Get full text
Tags: Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
Description
Summary:Higher physical activity levels are associated with reduced cognitive decline among older adults; however, current understanding of underlying brain mechanisms is limited. This cross-sectional study investigated the relationship between actigraphy-estimated total volume of physical activity (TVPA) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) measures of white matter hyperintensities (WMH), and functional and structural brain connectivity, measured by resting-state functional MRI and diffusion tensor imaging. Study participants (N = 156, mean age = 71 years) included 136 with normal cognition and 20 with Mild Cognitive Impairment. Higher TVPA was associated with greater functional connectivity within the default-mode network and greater network modularity (a measure of network specialization), as well as with greater anisotropy and lower radial diffusion in white matter, suggesting better structural connectivity. These associations with functional and structural connectivity were independent of one another and independent of the level of vascular risk, APOE-ε4 status, cognitive reserve, and WMH volume, which were not associated with TVPA. Findings suggest that physical activity is beneficial for brain connectivity among older individuals with varying levels of risk for cognitive decline.
ISSN:0197-4580
1558-1497
DOI:10.1016/j.neurobiolaging.2022.04.006