Project needs $20,000 for further study

          An eight-month clinical trial carried out in Shanghai, China has shown that certain forms of physical and mental exercise, including T’ai chi and social discussion may result in brain growth for older persons. Brain growth resulted in areas that shrink Alzheimer’s disease and improve memory and cognition. Researchers said the changes came on rapidly after only a few months of low cost intervention.

          “While these results are important in showing how an underlying brain pathology of Alzheimer’s disease from causing dementia, there are many unanswered questions,” said James Mortimer, PhD, title, at the University of South Florida in Tampa, Florida

          According to Dr. Mortimer, because Alzheimer’s disease results in significant cognitive loss associated with brain atrophy, maintaining brain tissue in specific regions could help delay dementia.

          Their recent research were encouraging because they found that people who were randomized into three groups who participated in T’ai chi, social discussion and fast walking for 40 weeks not only had increased brain growth but also improved on selected cognitive tests. Those in a fourth control group who did not receive the interventions did not improve.

          “We know that people with larger brain volumes and larger head size have a reduced risk of dementia in later life,” explained Dr. Mortimer. “One important underlying question is whether the response we saw will occur in all individuals or just in those with certain genetic profiles.”

          They will also examine the benefit of physical and mental exercise on brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF). Ultimately they hope to compare the results of interaction between the APOE gene and BDNF.

          The researchers are proposing to examine the different forms of the APOE gene, the main gene recognized for susceptibility to Alzheimer’s disease to determine if those with genetic susceptibility benefit from physical and mental exercise.

          “There is considerable evidence showing that the pathology of Alzheimer’s disease begins decades before the symptoms,” said Dr. Mortimer.  “This provides a window of opportunity for prevention.”

          The researchers note that although the benefits of exercise have high acceptance among older persons, participation in exercise activities by older people is limited.

“When people know that they could benefit directly motivation may increase participation rates,” concluded Dr. Mortimer

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Project: Prevention of Alzheimer’s disease through brain growth

Researcher: James A. Mortimer, PhD

Affiliation: University of South Florida

Project duration: 12 months

Research funds needed: $20,063