The Effect of Different Physical Activity Intensities on Cognitive Decline Related to Alzheimer's Disease

Beetsma, Silke (2024) The Effect of Different Physical Activity Intensities on Cognitive Decline Related to Alzheimer's Disease. Bachelor's Thesis, Biology.

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Abstract

Alzheimer’s disease is a neurodegenerative disorder that is characterized by cognitive decline and other pathological hallmarks, such as amyloid-beta and tau pathology, and cholinergic dysfunction. As pharmacological treatment targeting these hallmarks is limited, different lifestyle interventions are proposed, such as diet, physical activity, and social support. This thesis investigates the effect of different intensities of physical activity on cognitive decline associated with Alzheimer’s disease. All intensities of physical activity appear to have beneficial effects on cognition compared to a sedentary lifestyle. Analysis of low, moderate, and vigorous physical activity intensities reveal that moderate to vigorous physical activity intensity enhances neuroprotection through a variety of mechanisms, including improving cerebral blood flow and synaptic plasticity. Low to moderate physical activity intensity has shown direct effects on cognition. As the studies have limitations in their design, it remains difficult to causally link the intensity of physical activity to the observed changes in cognitive performance. Further research is required for elucidating the mechanism of the effect of different intensities of physical activity on cognitive markers related to Alzheimer’s disease.

Item Type:	Thesis (Bachelor's Thesis)
Supervisor name:	Zee, E.A. van der
Degree programme:	Biology
Thesis type:	Bachelor's Thesis
Language:	English
Date Deposited:	19 Nov 2024 06:38
Last Modified:	19 Nov 2024 06:38
URI:	https://fse.studenttheses.ub.rug.nl/id/eprint/34419

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