Portal de Periódicos da CAPES

Physical activity is related to the structural integrity of cerebral white matter

2013; Lippincott Williams & Wilkins; Volume: 81; Issue: 11 Linguagem: Inglês

10.1212/wnl.0b013e3182a43e33

1526-632X

Rob A.R. Gons, Anil M. Tuladhar, Karlijn F. de Laat, Anouk G.W. van Norden, Ewoud J. van Dijk, David G. Norris, Marcel P. Zwiers, Frank‐Erik de Leeuw,

Dementia and Cognitive Impairment Research

Objective: To investigate the relation between physical exercise and the microstructural integrity of cerebral white matter. Methods: Four hundred forty individuals with cerebral small-vessel disease, aged between 50 and 85 years, without dementia, were included and underwent MRI scanning. Physical exercise was assessed with a structured questionnaire. The cross-sectional relation between physical exercise and the microstructural integrity of the white matter was assessed by applying Tract-Based Spatial Statistics to diffusion tensor imaging parameters. Results: Being more physically active was negatively related to the mean, axial, and radial diffusivity in numerous regions of the white matter, indicative of higher white matter integrity. Conclusions: These data indicate an association between physical activity and the integrity of the cerebral white matter9s microstructure. Prospective studies are required to investigate a possible causal association between physical activity and cognitive decline.