RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN PHYSICAL ACTIVITY, COGNITION AND ALZHEIMER PATHOLOGY IN AUTOSOMAL DOMINANT ALZHEIMER`S DISEASE

Abstract

Previous reports suggest that physical activity (PA) may have beneficial effects on cognitive function, cognitive decline and Alzheimer's disease (AD) risk in elderly people. In addition, PA may modify pathological changes associated with AD. However, the putative effects of PA on cognitive performance and AD biomarkers in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) in autosomal dominant Alzheimer's disease (ADAD) are still unknown. A total of 372 individuals (224 mutation carriers [MCs] and 148 non-carriers [NCs]) participating at the Dominantly Inherited Alzheimer Network (DIAN) study were examined to evaluate the cross-sectional relationship between PA and cognitive performance, functional status, cognitive decline and AD biomarkers in CSF. MCs were categorized into those with high PA (≥150 minutes/week) vs. those with low PA (<150 minutes/week). MCs with high PA showed significantly better cognitive and functional performance at baseline and with respect to estimated years from expected symptom onset (EYO) compared to individuals with low PA. In addition, MCs with high PA demonstrated significantly less AD-like pathology in CSF compared to individuals with low PA. MCs with high PA scored 3.4 points better on MMSE evaluation at expected symptom onset and fulfilled diagnosis of very mild dementia 15.1 years later compared to MCs with low PA. These results are supportive of a beneficial effect of PA on cognition and AD pathology even in individuals with genetically driven ADAD. A physically active lifestyle may play an important role in slowing the development and progression of ADAD.