Daily walking linked to slower Alzheimer’s-related tau and cognitive decline

Researchers tracked almost 300 older adults with early brain signs of Alzheimer’s disease for nine to 11 years, using pedometers to measure physical activity. The study examined associations between activity, Alzheimer’s-related brain changes and cognitive and functional decline. The supplied report does not identify the study’s formal design or provide detailed outcome estimates.

Among participants with amyloid plaques, more physical activity was associated with less accumulation of misfolded tau in specific brain areas. The report says cognitive and functional decline was reduced by almost half in more active participants. Associations were apparent from about 3,000 steps per day, with the strongest reported benefits at 5,000 to 7,500 steps; the effect plateaued at higher step counts. Activity was not associated with reduced amyloid plaques.

The findings are observational and do not establish that walking itself caused the differences. The researchers’ cohort was relatively small and consisted mostly of white, well-educated US participants; other lifestyle and health factors may have influenced results. The report is secondary coverage from The Conversation via ScienceDaily, rather than a full research paper, so detailed methods and estimates cannot be assessed here.