Prolonged Sitting Negatively Impacts Brain Health, Despite Regular Exercise
Revised Article:
Sitting too much could harm your brain, especially as you age, according to a recent study. Researchers at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) discovered that adults aged 45-75, who spent more time sitting during the day, had less thickness in the medial temporal lobe - an area crucial for making new memories.
Even high levels of physical activity didn't seem to make a difference, the authors conclude in their report published in the journal PLOS ONE. This finding adds to the growing body of evidence suggesting that too much sitting might boost the risk of several health problems, even among active individuals.
Senior study author, David Merrill, an assistant clinical professor of psychiatry and biobehavioral sciences at UCLA, and his team propose that further research should investigate whether cutting back on sedentary behavior could reverse the negative effects they found.
A Paucity of Research on Sitting and Dementia Risk
In their study background, the authors acknowledge that while there's a substantial amount of literature showing the benefits of physical exercise on brain health, there's a noticeable absence of research exploring the link between sedentary behavior and the risk of dementia. Only a few studies have delved into the "mechanistic" impact on the brain.
To address this gap, the team focused on the medial temporal lobe due to its known shrinkage with age and its relationship with memory impairment. They also highlighted that greater "aerobic fitness" has been connected to a larger volume of the hippocampus, an area of the medial temporal lobe critical for memory.
Sedentary Behavior and Brain Health
For their study, the researchers investigated the relationships between medial temporal lobe thickness, exercise, and sitting time in 25 women and 10 men, aged 45-75, who did not exhibit symptoms of dementia. The data on average hours spent sitting each day and physical activity levels were derived from detailed questionnaires filled out by the participants. Medial temporal lobe thickness was measured using MRI scans of their brains.
When they analyzed the data, the researchers found no significant correlations between physical activity levels and medial temporal lobe thickness. However, they did find that the more sedentary participants had less medial temporal lobe thickness.
The researchers didn't delve into the mechanisms through which prolonged sitting might harm the brain, but they referred to a suggestion that sedentary behavior might have detrimental effects on glycemic control. They speculate that this could result in increased variability of blood sugar and lead to reduced blood flow in the brain, which, in turn, could impair brain health.
Multiple recent studies establish a clear relationship between extended sedentary time and increased risk for cognitive decline, brain shrinkage, and neurodegeneration linked to Alzheimer's disease. This association persists even among those who are physically active. Furthermore, sedentary behavior may have harmful consequences for brain health through neurodegeneration, vascular and metabolic disturbances, decreased neuroplasticity, and increased inflammation.
It's essential to cut back on sitting time and engage in physical and cognitive activities to reduce the risk of Alzheimer's disease and dementia.
- The study published in the journal PLOS ONE by researchers at UCLA has highlighted the potential link between sedentary behavior and dementia risk, a connection that has been under-researched in the context of health-and-wellness, specifically pertaining to aging and mental-health.
- The team's findings indicate that reducing sedentary behavior could possibly reverse negative impacts on brain health, particularly in the medial temporal lobe, an area crucial for memory in adults aged 45-75.
- In the context of science, more research is needed to investigate the mechanisms through which prolonged sitting might harm the brain, potentially due to its impact on glycemic control and subsequent effects on brain health.
- The study adds to the growing body of evidence suggesting that too much sitting, regardless of physical activity levels, might boost the risk of several health-related problems, including cognitive decline, brain shrinkage, and neurodegeneration associated with dementia and Alzheimer's disease.
- Within the medical-conditions arena, it's crucial to emphasize the importance of engaging in physical and cognitive activities to maintain brain health and potentially lower the risk of Alzheimer's disease and dementia, especially among the aging population.
- Health professionals and scientists alike should pay attention to the role of retargeting sedentary behavior as part of a holistic approach to promoting neurological-disorders prevention and overall well-being.
