Document Detail


Alzheimer's disease, cerebrovascular dysfunction and the benefits of exercise: from vessels to neurons.
MedLine Citation:
PMID:  18474414     Owner:  NLM     Status:  MEDLINE    
Abstract/OtherAbstract:
Exercise training promotes extensive cardiovascular changes and adaptive mechanisms in both the peripheral and cerebral vasculature, such as improved organ blood flow, induction of antioxidant pathways, and enhanced angiogenesis and vascular regeneration. Clinical studies have demonstrated a reduction of morbidity and mortality from cardiovascular disease among exercising individuals. However, evidence from recent large clinical trials also suggests a substantial reduction of dementia risk - particularly regarding Alzheimer's disease (AD) - with regular exercise. Enhanced neurogenesis and improved synaptic plasticity have been implicated in this beneficial effect. However, recent research has revealed that vascular and specifically endothelial dysfunction is essentially involved in the disease process and profoundly aggravates underlying neurodegeneration. Moreover, vascular risk factors (VRFs) are probably determinants of incidence and course of AD. In this review, we emphasize the interconnection between AD and VRFs and the impact of cerebrovascular and endothelial dysfunction on AD pathophysiology. Furthermore, we describe the molecular mechanisms of the beneficial effects of exercise on the vasculature such as activation of the vascular nitric oxide (NO)/endothelial NO synthase (eNOS) pathway, upregulation of antioxidant enzymes, and angiogenesis. Finally, recent prospective clinical studies dealing with the effect of exercise on the risk of incident AD are briefly reviewed. We conclude that, next to upholding neuronal plasticity, regular exercise may counteract AD pathophysiology by building a vascular reserve.
Authors:
Christian Lange-Asschenfeldt; Georg Kojda
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Publication Detail:
Type:  Journal Article; Review     Date:  2008-04-06
Journal Detail:
Title:  Experimental gerontology     Volume:  43     ISSN:  0531-5565     ISO Abbreviation:  Exp. Gerontol.     Publication Date:  2008 Jun 
Date Detail:
Created Date:  2008-05-26     Completed Date:  2008-12-04     Revised Date:  -    
Medline Journal Info:
Nlm Unique ID:  0047061     Medline TA:  Exp Gerontol     Country:  England    
Other Details:
Languages:  eng     Pagination:  499-504     Citation Subset:  IM    
Affiliation:
Klinik für Psychiatrie und Psychotherapie, Abteilung Gerontopsychiatrie, Bergische Landstr. 2, Düsseldorf 40629, Germany.
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MeSH Terms
Descriptor/Qualifier:
Aged
Alzheimer Disease* / metabolism,  physiopathology,  prevention & control
Blood Vessels / metabolism,  physiopathology
Cerebrovascular Circulation / physiology
Endothelium, Vascular / metabolism
Exercise Therapy
Humans
Nerve Degeneration / physiopathology
Neurons / metabolism
Nitric Oxide / metabolism
Nitric Oxide Synthase Type III / metabolism
Oxidative Stress
Chemical
Reg. No./Substance:
10102-43-9/Nitric Oxide; EC 1.14.13.39/Nitric Oxide Synthase Type III

From MEDLINE®/PubMed®, a database of the U.S. National Library of Medicine


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