| Title: | The bidirectional relationship between brain structure and physical activity: a longitudinal analysis in the UK Biobank |
| Journal: | Neurobiology of Aging |
| Published: | 1 Mar 2024 |
| DOI: | https://doi.org/10.1016/j.neurobiolaging.2024.03.001 |
Publication 8627
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Abstract
Physical activity is a protective factor against brain atrophy, while loss of brain volume could also be a determinant of physical activity. Therefore, we aimed to explore the bidirectional association of physical activity with brain structures in middle-aged and older adults from the UK Biobank. Overall, 3,027 participants (62.45 ± 7.27 years old, 51.3% females) had data at two time points. Hippocampal volume was associated with total (β=0.048, pFDR=0.016) and household (β=0.075, pFDR<0.001) physical activity. Global fractional anisotropy (β=0.042, pFDR=0.028) was also associated with household physical activity. In the opposite direction, walking was negatively associated with white matter volume (β=-0.026, pFDR=0.008). All these associations were confirmed by the linear mixed models. Interestingly, sports at baseline were linked to hippocampal and frontal cortex volumes at follow-up but these associations disappeared after adjusting for multiple comparisons (pall>0.104). In conclusion, we found more consistent evidence that a healthier brain structure predicted higher physical activity levels than for the inverse, more established relationship.</p>
5 Authors
- M. Rodriguez-Ayllon
- Alexander Neumann
- Amy Hofman
- Meike W. Vernooij
- Julia Neitzel
1 Application
| Application ID | Title |
|---|---|
| 68400 | Towards a mechanistic understanding of lifestyle factors in common age-related diseases |
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