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Exercise Slows Development of Alzheimer's-Like Brain Changes in Mice
Brief Description:
Scientists at the University of California, Irvine, have determined that development of a condition similar to Alzheimer's disease in genetically engineered mice may be slowed by regular exercise. The research was funded by the National Institute on Aging.
Transcript:
Schmalfeldt: Some exciting news, as researchers continue to search for a cure for Alzheimer's Disease. Scientists at the University of California have determined that, in genetically engineered mice, development of a condition similar to Alzheimer's Disease may be slowed by regular exercise. The research was funded by the National Institute on Aging. Doctor Stephen Snyder is Director of the Etiology Of Alzheimer's Program at the NIA's Neuroscience And Neuropsychology Of Aging program; he explains how the study was performed.
Snyder: These investigators gave these animals, at a couple of different ages, the opportunity to exercise continuously for up to five months in their cages. After that time, then their brains examined for the presence of plaque. And, it was found that the load — the burden — of amyloid plaque in the brain was diminished in animals that had exercised, compared to their control animals that hadn't exercised — that led the life of a normal laboratory mouse — relatively sedentary.
Schmalfeldt: Doctor Snyder said much work needs to be done to determine
if these results will lead to new therapies for the treatment of Alzheimer's Disease
in humans. For instance, it remains to be seen if exercise can not only prevent the
formation of new plaques in the brain, but remove plaques that have been present in
the past. The results of the study were published in the April 27th edition of The
Journal of Neuroscience. From the National Institutes of Health, I'm Bill Schmalfeldt,
in Bethesda, Maryland.
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| Date: 05/01/2005 |
Reporter: Bill Schmalfeldt
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Sound Bite:
Dr. Stephen Snyder |
Topic:
Alzheimer's Disease |
| Institute(s): NIA
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