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Moderate Activity Associated with Lower Risk for Vascular Dementia
Moderate physical activity may help lower the risk for vascular dementia but does not appear to lower Alzheimer disease risk, according to a report published online in Neurology.
Some 750 Italian adults aged 65 or older without cognitive impairment at enrollment were followed for 4 years, during which AD developed in 54 subjects and vascular dementia in 27. After adjustment for sociodemographics and APOE genotype, the risk for vascular dementia was 70% to 75% lower among more active subjects than among those least active. Risk reductions remained significant in fully adjusted analyses that accounted for cardiovascular disease, other comorbidities, and functional status.
In contrast, physical activity did not reduce AD risk.
The authors note several limitations of their study — for example, given the relatively short follow-up period, it's possible that less activity was actually an early sign of dementia.
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Neurology article (Free abstract; full text requires subscription)
Published in Physician's First Watch December 20, 2007
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