Aerobic exercise: a powerful ally in the fight against Alzheimer’s

Regular aerobic exercise could significantly reduce disease markers associated with Alzheimer’s, new research led by scientists at the University of Bristol (UK) and the Federal University of São Paulo (Brazil) has found. The findings provide new hope in the battle against this devastating disorder.

Published in the journal Brain Research, the study highlights how physical activity not only protects healthy brain cells but also restores balance in the aging brain.

The research focused on the hippocampus, the brain region responsible for memory and learning, and measured the impact of aerobic exercise on key Alzheimer’s markers: amyloid plaques, tau tangles, and iron accumulation in myelin-producing cells known as oligodendrocytes. These markers are central to Alzheimer’s pathology.

Findings revealed that rodents who completed a structured aerobic exercise programme experienced:

• Significant reductions in tau tangles (around 63% with exercise), amyloid plaques (about 76% in the exercise group), and iron accumulation (reduced by about 58% in the brains of exercising rodents).
• Enhanced brain cell health, including increased numbers of protective oligodendrocytes.
• Reduced brain inflammation in the exercise group (between 55% and 68% depending on the inflammatory biomarker considered), and cell death.
• Improved communication between brain cells, restoring critical balance in the brain’s function as it ages.

Dr Augusto Coppi, Senior Lecturer in Veterinary Anatomy at the University of Bristol and one of the study’s senior authors, explained: “Alzheimer’s is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder with no known cure, impacting millions worldwide. While physical exercise is known to reduce cognitive decline, the cellular mechanisms behind its neuroprotective effects have remained elusive—until now. This research highlights the potential for aerobic exercise to serve as a cornerstone in preventive strategies for Alzheimer’s.”

Key findings from the study include:

• Integrating regular aerobic exercise into daily life could play a crucial role in slowing or preventing Alzheimer’s progression.
• Public health initiatives should prioritise exercise programs tailored to aging populations.

The researchers are now planning human clinical trials to confirm the protective effects observed in rodent models. They will also investigate drugs targeting iron metabolism and cell death as potential therapeutic approaches for Alzheimer’s.

The research was supported by CAPES-PRINT (Brazil), CNPq (Brazil), and FAPESP (Brazil), and demonstrates how collaborating internationally could address global health challenges.