- Excessive sitting is associated with cognitive decline, even in active older adults.
- APOE-e4 carriers are more susceptible to brain shrinkage due to sedentary habits.
- Reducing sitting time may mitigate Alzheimer’s risk, emphasizing the need for consistent movement.
A new study by researchers at Vanderbilt University Medical Center and the University of Pittsburgh reveals that prolonged sedentary behavior is linked to cognitive decline. It also shows brain shrinkage in older adults, regardless of their exercise levels.
The study involved 404 participants aged 50 and older. They wore activity-tracking devices for a week to monitor sedentary time. Over seven years, those with more sedentary time exhibited greater cognitive decline. They also showed brain atrophy in regions associated with Alzheimer’s disease.
Move More, Sit Less: Reducing Sedentary Time May Lower Alzheimer’s Risk
The study led by Dr. Marissa Gogniat and Dr. Angela Jefferson examined the impact of sedentary behavior on brain health over a seven-year period. Despite regular exercise, older adults with more sitting time experienced greater cognitive decline. This highlights the need to limit prolonged periods of inactivity.
Participants wore devices to track their physical activity and sedentary time. The data revealed that those with higher sedentary time had noticeable brain shrinkage in areas commonly affected by Alzheimer’s disease. This finding was particularly evident in participants carrying the APOE-e4 allele, a genetic marker associated with increased Alzheimer’s risk.
While physical activity is crucial, the study underscores that exercise alone is not enough to mitigate the negative effects of sitting. Breaking up sedentary time with frequent movement may be key to maintaining cognitive function. This is especially important in aging adults at genetic risk for neurodegenerative diseases.
Dr. Jefferson emphasized that lifestyle changes, such as standing during phone calls or taking short walks, could have a profound impact on brain health. “Our findings suggest that reducing sitting time is a simple yet effective way to protect against cognitive decline,” she noted.
Reducing sedentary time, even in small increments, may be a practical strategy for older adults to lower the risk of Alzheimer’s disease. This is particularly significant for those with genetic vulnerabilities.
“Our study showed that reducing sitting time could be a promising strategy for preventing neurodegeneration and subsequent cognitive decline.” — Dr. Angela Jefferson
