Physical activity is related to the structural integrity of cerebral white matter
Publication year
2013Source
Neurology, 81, 11, (2013), pp. 971-6ISSN
Publication type
Article / Letter to editor

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Organization
Neurology
Donders Centre for Cognitive Neuroimaging
PI Group MR Techniques in Brain Function
Cognitive Neuroscience
Journal title
Neurology
Volume
vol. 81
Issue
iss. 11
Page start
p. 971
Page end
p. 6
Subject
150 000 MR Techniques in Brain Function; Biophysics; DCN MP - Plasticity and memory; DCN MP - Plasticity and memory NCEBP 14: Cardiovascular diseases; DCN NN - Brain networks and neuronal communication; DCN NN - Brain networks and neuronal communication NCEBP 9 - Mental health; DCN PAC - Perception action and controlAbstract
OBJECTIVE: To investigate the relation between physical exercise and the microstructural integrity of cerebral white matter. METHODS: Four hundred forty individuals with cerebral small-vessel disease, aged between 50 and 85 years, without dementia, were included and underwent MRI scanning. Physical exercise was assessed with a structured questionnaire. The cross-sectional relation between physical exercise and the microstructural integrity of the white matter was assessed by applying Tract-Based Spatial Statistics to diffusion tensor imaging parameters. RESULTS: Being more physically active was negatively related to the mean, axial, and radial diffusivity in numerous regions of the white matter, indicative of higher white matter integrity. CONCLUSIONS: These data indicate an association between physical activity and the integrity of the cerebral white matter's microstructure. Prospective studies are required to investigate a possible causal association between physical activity and cognitive decline.
This item appears in the following Collection(s)
- Academic publications [205084]
- Donders Centre for Cognitive Neuroimaging [3439]
- Electronic publications [103304]
- Faculty of Medical Sciences [81053]
- Open Access publications [71822]
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