Latest news with #BDNF
Time of India
an hour ago
- Health
- Time of India
Dementia might begin in your legs, not your brain: AIIMS neurosurgeon reveals how to tell if something's wrong
It might sound strange, but doctors and scientists are now saying your walking speed could be one of the first signs that something's wrong with your brain. According to a Times of India (TOI) report, Dr Arun L Naik, a neurosurgeon at AIIMS New Delhi , believes that dementia may start in the legs, not the mind. Explore courses from Top Institutes in Please select course: Select a Course Category Data Science PGDM Technology Data Science Management Degree MBA Digital Marketing Cybersecurity Public Policy Leadership Artificial Intelligence Project Management Healthcare Operations Management Product Management CXO Finance others Others Skills you'll gain: Data Analysis & Interpretation Programming Proficiency Problem-Solving Skills Machine Learning & Artificial Intelligence Duration: 24 Months Vellore Institute of Technology VIT MSc in Data Science Starts on Aug 14, 2024 Get Details Why legs matter more than we thought A 2022 study, as cited by TOI, revealed that older adults who walked slower had smaller brain volume and were more likely to show signs of cognitive decline . In simple words, slow legs may mean a slow brain. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Victoria Principal Is Almost 75, See Her Now Reportingly Undo Walking isn't just about moving from place to place. Every step involves your brain working closely with your legs. Your frontal lobe plans the movement, your cerebellum keeps you balanced, and your spinal cord carries the signals. Even your feet send signals back to your brain. So, if your walk starts changing, becomes slower, uneven, or unsteady, your brain might be sending an early warning. Live Events It's all about blood flow Walking does more than move your legs, it pumps fresh, oxygen-rich blood to your brain. This helps clear out harmful toxins and keeps the brain healthy. But when you sit too long and don't move much, blood flow drops, brain fog increases, and over time, your brain may actually shrink. That's why regular movement, even just walking around the house, keeps both your body and brain active. Walking releases the brain's growth booster Another powerful reason to keep walking? It boosts BDNF (Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor), a natural chemical that helps brain cells grow, survive, and connect better. In short, BDNF is like a fertiliser for your brain. The more you walk, the more of it you release, and that helps your memory and mental sharpness as you age. Strong legs, strong mind As Dr Naik points out, muscle strength in your legs is now seen as a secret sign of brain health. Weak legs not only affect your ability to move or stay balanced but may also link to memory issues. To keep your legs strong, do simple resistance exercises, balance workouts, or even just stand up more often. You don't need to hit the gym. A short walk or light stretching daily can do wonders. Walk with your brain in mind Lastly, there's a smart way to walk. Doctors suggest 'dual-task walking', walking while talking, counting backwards, or solving a small puzzle. It's a way to train your brain and body together, and might help delay memory issues. Your legs and your brain are more connected than you think. So next time you go for a walk, know that it's not just good for your heart, it might just protect your memory too.
Time of India
2 days ago
- Health
- Time of India
Could walking be the key to lowering Alzheimer's risk?
If you've been debating whether to get up and stretch your legs today, new research may give you the nudge you need. A fresh study, planned to be presented at the Alzheimer's Association International Conference this week, suggests that simply walking more could slow cognitive decline, especially in people genetically predisposed to Alzheimer's disease. Researchers followed nearly 3,000 adults between the ages of 70 and 79 for a decade and tracked their walking habits and how those habits correlated with brain function over time. Participants who either maintained or increased their walking levels showed notable improvements in executive function and processing speed, according to the study, which is currently available as a preprint and hasn't yet undergone peer review. The findings appeared especially promising among individuals with the APOE4 genotype, a known genetic risk factor for Alzheimer's. According to Dr. Cindy Barha, senior study author and assistant professor of kinesiology at the University of Calgary, the results highlight the danger of inactivity as we age. The genetic link Alzheimer's disease, the most common form of dementia, is believed to result from a buildup of toxic plaques in the brain that interfere with how nerve cells communicate. Over time, those neurons die, leading to memory loss, confusion, behavioral changes, and eventually, physical deterioration. There is no cure. The genetic story behind Alzheimer's is complex, but APOE genes play a central role. One particular variant, APOE4, is linked to a reduced ability to clear those brain plaques. According to the U.S. National Institutes of Health, between 15% and 25% of people carry this gene, though it can only be identified through genetic testing. What's compelling is that those at higher risk may benefit the most. 'Before the study started, we thought APOE4 carriers had more room to grow in terms of cognition, since they may already have been experiencing some cognitive decline,' Barha explained. 'They also have more room to show improvement.' She also speculated that participants who knew they carried APOE4 may have been more motivated to change their behavior during the study. Either way, the cognitive benefits were clear. But how does movement in the body affect what's happening in the brain? Experts believe exercise may increase the production of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), a protein often compared to fertilizer for brain cells. 'We're thinking there are proteins released from the muscle that travel to the brain and, either across the blood-brain barrier or at the blood-brain barrier, start a reaction that eventually leads to increases in BDNF within the brain,' Barha explained.
The Independent
3 days ago
- Health
- The Independent
New research highlights how to potentially slowdown Alzheimer's progression
New research suggests that lifestyle changes, including diet and exercise, can potentially delay the onset of Alzheimer's disease. One study found that walking helps produce brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), a protein vital for brain cell survival, growth, and stronger connections, supporting memory and learning. These lifestyle modifications appear to be particularly beneficial for individuals carrying the APOE4 gene variant, which is associated with an increased risk of Alzheimer's. Research indicates that APOE4 carriers could experience up to four times greater benefit from interventions such as exercise and dietary counselling. Conversely, a sedentary lifestyle and the consumption of refined sugars may negatively impact brain health, especially for those with the APOE4 gene. Alzheimer's progression could be slowed by these changes to lifestyle
NBC News
3 days ago
- Health
- NBC News
Alzheimer's may be delayed through lifestyle changes, new studies show
Although her grandfather had dementia when he died, Kristin Richardson hadn't worried much about her brain until a lab test revealed that she was positive for APOE4, a gene that has been linked to a higher risk of developing Alzheimer's disease. That was seven and a half years ago. Richardson, now 51, remembers crying when she got the news. 'I was terrified,' she said. 'It's a horrible, horrible disease with no cure.' So Richardson, a business owner in Richmond, Virginia, decided to make whatever changes she could to reduce her risk of the disease. 'I do what I can to get enough sleep. I keep active. I try to eat well and maintain a healthy weight, and I'm always working my brain to learn new things,' she said. Two new studies being presented at the Alzheimer's Association meeting Monday in Toronto may give some hope to Richardson and others who carry a genetic risk for the disease. Both new studies build on previous evidence that diet, certain brain training exercises and physical activity can delay the loss of memory and slow the decline of other cognitive abilities. One study looked at the impact of walking on 2,985 Black and white older adults who were tested for APOE status and were followed for 10 years. Each year, the participants were questioned about the amount of walking they did, and at multiple points during the follow-up period, their cognitive status was evaluated with standardized exams. Overall, participants with the APOE4 gene mutation showed steeper declines in cognition compared with those with other forms of the gene that don't raise the risk of Alzheimer's. While walking appeared to have a protective effect on all the participants, it was strongest among those with APOE4. The risk of developing Alzheimer's among those with two copies of APOE4 is 12 times that of women with none and four times that of men with none, said the study's senior author, Cindy Barha, an assistant professor of neuroscience at the University of Calgary and Canada Research chair in neuroscience, brain health and exercise. That changed significantly if people walked. Overall, women benefited more. A 10% higher amount of self-reported walking was associated with a 4.7% increase in complex thinking performance over time in women and a 2.6% increase in men. Among APOE4 carriers, men appeared to benefit more. A 10% higher amount of self-reported walking was associated with an 8.5% increase in global cognitive performance over time in women and a 12% increase in men. That was a surprise to the researchers, who expected that women would continue to benefit more. Walking seems to keep brains healthier by pumping up levels of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), a protein that's known to support the health of brain cells, Barha said. Other proteins in the brain may be involved, as well. 'BDNF is like fertilizer for your brain that is naturally produced, especially when you are being physically active, such as when you are walking,' Barha said. 'It helps brain cells survive, grow and form stronger connections; this supports memory, learning and mood, especially in the hippocampus, which is the brain's memory center.' A limitation of the study is that it didn't track how fast or how frequently the participants walked. Dementia risk modified through lifestyle The second international study, led by researchers in Finland, found that a combination of lifestyle modifications could also benefit people with the APOE4 variation more than those with other mutations. The study included 2,469 participants from France, Japan and Finland who were randomly assigned to receive multi-focus lifestyle interventions or not. Among the participants were 709 APOE4 carriers. Included in the lifestyle modifications were: Cognitive training, either computer-based or with paper and pencil. Physical activity, including group-based physical group exercise sessions lasting 90 minutes and an exercise program supervised by physiotherapists at the gym. Dietary counseling. A preliminary analysis revealed that the benefit of the intervention was greater among the APOE4 carriers. Study co-author Jenni Lehtisalo, a research fellow at the Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare, said the main takeaway is that the risk for dementia, even in people with genetic predisposition, can be modified through lifestyle. There was about a fourfold greater benefit in those who were positive for APOE4, said Lehtisalo, who is also a visiting researcher at the University of Eastern Finland. The hope is that future research will reveal whether there is a specific window of time during which the modifications are more effective, she said. Dr. Cynthia Boyd, a professor of medicine and director of the division of geriatric medicine and gerontology at Johns Hopkins Medicine, said the studies show 'there is something concrete we can all do to decrease the risk of cognitive decline.' 'Walking and other lifestyle modifications can be protective for the brain,' said Boyd, who wasn't involved in the new research. Adam Brickman, a professor of neuropsychology at Columbia University Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons, said that to optimize brain and cognitive health, it's a good idea for everyone, regardless of genetic risk, to engage in physical activity, maintain a good diet and monitor other risk factors linked to dementia. 'Sometimes initiating new healthy behaviors is difficult for people," Brickman said. "Knowledge of being at increased risk for Alzheimer's disease by virtue of having an APOE4 allele may help inspire or motivate lifestyle changes to mitigate that risk.'
News18
21-07-2025
- Health
- News18
Is Your Desk Job Harming Your Brain? Link Between a Sedentary Lifestyle and Neurodegeneration
On World Brain Day, neurologists explain why movement is crucial for your mind. Observed annually on July 22, World Brain Day brings global attention to brain health and the growing burden of neurological disorders. In 2025, the spotlight is on a silent but pervasive lifestyle risk: sedentary behaviour. With work-from-home setups, long office hours, and digital over-dependence, physical inactivity has become a modern epidemic—one that's not just bad for your body, but potentially damaging to your brain. 'Prolonged sitting is now considered as harmful as smoking," says Dr. Jyoti Bala Sharma, Director & HOD, Neurology, Fortis Noida. 'A sedentary lifestyle marked by minimal movement and excessive sitting can negatively impact both brain structure and function." Research shows that people who are inactive for extended periods are more likely to experience memory problems and slower thinking, especially in middle age and beyond. 'Too much sitting leads to changes in brain structure such as shrinkage of memory-linked regions like the medial temporal lobe, and damage to white matter," explains Dr. Sharma. One key player in this story is BDNF (Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor), a protein that supports the survival and growth of neurons. Physical inactivity lowers BDNF levels, especially in the hippocampus, which is essential for memory and learning. 'Exercise increases BDNF and keeps the brain more plastic and adaptive," she adds. Lack of movement also triggers a chain reaction of health issues that further harm the brain. 'Weight gain, insulin resistance, high blood pressure, and cholesterol imbalances are all common outcomes of a sedentary lifestyle," says Dr. Ratish Juyal, Director, Neurology Unit, Medanta Hospital, Lucknow. 'These factors increase the risk of stroke, vascular dementia, and even Alzheimer's disease." Dr. Juyal also points to the psychological toll of inactivity: 'It can lower mood, self-esteem, and attention, due to decreased blood flow to the prefrontal cortex and hippocampus—regions involved in emotion regulation and memory." Moreover, sedentary habits are now considered risk factors for sleep apnea, type 2 diabetes, and even the build-up of amyloid and tau proteins in the brain, which are biomarkers of Alzheimer's. Exercise: The Brain's Best Ally 'Regular physical activity improves blood circulation, delivers essential oxygen and nutrients to brain cells, and enhances neuroplasticity, the brain's ability to adapt and reorganize," says Dr. Abhishek Srivastava, Director, Neurology, Max Super Speciality Hospital, Lucknow. 'In medical terms, it promotes the release of BDNF, supports the survival of neurons, and guards against neurodegeneration." Dr. Srivastava warns that a sedentary lifestyle increases the risk for a host of serious conditions: Neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer's and Parkinson's Multiple Sclerosis and ALS Depression and anxiety Chronic pain and brain stroke How to Move Toward Better Brain Health Experts agree that even simple lifestyle changes can have profound effects. Dr. Juyal recommends at least 30 minutes of aerobic activity, five days a week—walking, jogging, swimming, or cycling. 'Using stairs instead of elevators, opting for a standing desk, or even walking during calls can make a big difference," he says. Beyond the physical benefits, exercise boosts dopamine and serotonin—neurotransmitters that elevate mood and sharpen memory. It also improves sleep quality, which is when the brain performs essential cleaning and memory consolidation. As Dr. Sharma summarizes: 'A sedentary lifestyle puts your brain at direct and indirect risk. Movement isn't just good for the body, it's essential for a sharp, resilient mind." World Brain Day In an age where mental health is increasingly prioritized, taking care of brain health must begin with one small, powerful act: moving your body. Whether you're behind a desk or stuck in traffic, building physical activity into your daily routine is one of the most effective ways to protect your brain for the long run. view comments Location : New Delhi, India, India First Published: July 21, 2025, 09:06 IST News lifestyle » health-and-fitness Is Your Desk Job Harming Your Brain? Link Between a Sedentary Lifestyle and Neurodegeneration Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
