Running For Alzheimer's

About 5.1 million Americans suffer from Alzheimer's disease, the most common cause of dementia in people aged 65 and older. Despite its prevalence in old age, Alzheimer's is not a normal part of aging, according to the Alzheimer's Foundation of America. Several studies show that increasing physical activity such as jogging or walking can prevent, or even slow down, the effects of this brain disease.

Alzheimer's Basics

Alzheimer's disease is a progressive, degenerative disorder leading to loss of memory and cognitive function. It occurs when nerve cells, or neurons, in the brain are attacked. The connection between these neurons and other nerve cells are broken, causing the neurons to die. When Alzheimer's destroys cells in the hippocampus -- the part of the brain -- short-term memory loss occurs. When the disease damages nerve cells in the cerebral cortex -- another part of the brain -- judgment and language skills diminish.

Effects of Running

Cardiovascular exercises such as running boost the flow of blood and oxygen to the brain, helping to preserve brain cells and function. Exercise may also slow down the buildup of plaque in the brains of people who have Alzheimer's and help prevent inflammation, which is commonly elevated in the brains of people with this brain disease and which can increase memory loss.

Evidence

A study by the University of California Irvine's College of Medicine published in the journal "Trends in Neurosciences" in 2002 showed that daily jogging may prevent brain cell deterioration, which can lead to Alzheimer's disease. Results indicated that exercise controls how genes are expressed in the hippocampus, an area of the brain associated with thinking, learning and memory. After three weeks of wheel running, the activity or expression of certain genes in the brains of rats changed. Many of these genes are responsible for aiding the brain's response to learning, stress and other external influences.

Another five-month study by the University of Chicago, published in the journal "Science" in March 2005, closely monitored 10 mice kept in "enriched" cages with exercise equipment and toys. Buildup of an Alzheimer's-type protein called amyloid was far less prevalent in the enriched mice that spent most of their time on running wheels. The enriched mice also had higher activity levels of an enzyme called neprilisyn, which is responsible for degrading amyloid.

Precautions

People with Alzheimer's or their caregivers should speak with a doctor to determine suitable exercises. With approval to start running or other exercise, patients should warm up for five to 10 minutes before exercising, go slowly in the beginning and gradually increase intensity, and cool down afterward. Ten-minute intervals of exercise are a good start. Also, a safe workout environment that is free of slippery surfaces is essential to prevent slips and falls. Alzheimer's patients at risk of forgetting their running route should be accompanied by a partner at all times.