Published in:
01-12-2014 | Cardiovascular Disease in the Elderly (DE Forman, Section Editor)
The Effects of Aerobic Exercise on Cognitive and Neural Decline in Aging and Cardiovascular Disease
Authors:
Scott M. Hayes, Michael L. Alosco, Daniel E. Forman
Published in:
Current Geriatrics Reports
|
Issue 4/2014
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Abstract
Aging is characterized by a decline in cognitive functions, particularly in the domains of executive function, processing speed and episodic memory. These age-related declines are exacerbated by cardiovascular disease (CVD) and cardiovascular risk factors (hypertension, diabetes, obesity, elevated total cholesterol). Structural and functional alterations in brain regions, including the fronto-parietal and medial temporal lobes, have been linked to age- and CVD-related cognitive decline. Multiple recent studies indicate that aerobic exercise programs may slow the progression of age-related neural changes and reduce the risk for mild cognitive impairment as well as dementia. We review age- and CVD-related decline in cognition and the underlying changes in brain morphology and function, and then clarify the impact of aerobic exercise on moderating these patterns.