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Running will keep your memory sharp and help prevent Alzheimer a new study shows

Your run is more than a workout for your muscles–it’s keeping your brain healthy, as well. Researchers out of the University of Zurich have unraveled the protective effects of physical and social activities on the brain health of older adults, as reported in Neuroscience News. While we often celebrate the cardiovascular benefits of running, this study delves into how exercise shields the brain from age-related decline.

The study

The study, conducted over seven years, zoomed in on the region of the brain that is vital for learning and memory and prone to Alzheimer’s disease, called the entorhinal cortex. Scientists investigated the relationships between the thickness of the entorhinal cortex, memory performance and leisure activities in cognitively healthy adults over the age of 65.

Researchers discovered that the less the thickness of this brain structure decreased throughout the study, the less memory performance was reduced. Increased physical and social activity significantly slowed the thinning of the entorhinal cortex, ultimately preserving memory.

The study emphasizes the brain‘s trainable nature, likening it to a muscle that can be fortified throughout life. Isabel Hotz, one of the study’s authors, notes, “These findings support the idea that we have a ‘cognitive reserve,’ and that the brain can be trained throughout our lives like a muscle to counteract age-related decline.”

The research builds on a study published earlier this year that determined that long-term exercise profoundly benefits the aging brain by increasing the survival and modifying the network of the neurons born during early adulthood (neurogenesis is the creation of new brain cells, something scientists have discovered is possible throughout life) thereby facilitating their participation in cognitive processes.

The takeaway

Lutz Jäncke, the study’s supervisor, asserts, “Physical exercise and an active social life with friends and family are therefore important for brain health and can prevent neurodegeneration in later life.” The study reinforces that being physically, mentally, and socially active throughout life pays off in preserving cognitive function. Regular running (bonus points if you join some friends to add a social component) will keep your memory sharp as you age—one more reason to put your runners on and head out the door.