Physical activity over a decade modifies age-related decline in perfusion, gray matter volume, and functional connectivity of the posterior default-mode network-A multimodal approach

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One step toward healthy brain aging may be to entertain a physically active lifestyle. Studies investigating physical activity effects on brain integrity have, however, mainly been based on single brain markers, and few used a multimodal imaging approach. In the present study, we used cohort data from the Betula study to examine the relationships between scores reflecting current and accumulated physical activity and brain health. More specifically, we first examined if physical activity scores modulated negative effects of age on seven resting state networks previously identified by Salami, Pudas, and Nyberg (2014). The results revealed that one of the most age-sensitive RSN was positively altered by physical activity, namely, the posterior default-mode network involving the posterior cingulate cortex (PCC). Second, within this physical activity-sensitive RSN, we further analyzed the association between physical activity and gray matter (GM) volumes, white matter integrity, and cerebral perfusion using linear regression models. Regions within the identified DMN displayed larger GM volumes and stronger perfusion in relation to both current and 10-years accumulated scores of physical activity. No associations of physical activity and white matter integrity were observed. Collectively, our findings demonstrate strengthened PCC-cortical connectivity within the DMN, larger PCC GM volume, and higher PCC perfusion as a function of physical activity. In turn, these findings may provide insights into the mechanisms of how long-term regular exercise can contribute to healthy brain aging.

OriginalsprogEngelsk
TidsskriftNeuroImage
Vol/bind131
Sider (fra-til)133-141
Antal sider9
ISSN1053-8119
DOI
StatusUdgivet - 1 maj 2016

Bibliografisk note

Funding Information:
We thank the staff and the participants of the Betula project and the staff at Umeå center for Functional Brain Imaging. This study was supported by the Swedish Science Council , the UmU-KI strategic Neuroscience Network , a Wallenberg Scholar Grant to L.N, and Torsten and Ragnar Söderberg's foundation (L.N.).

Publisher Copyright:
© 2015 The Authors.

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