5,000 steps a day 'could slow dementia decline'

WALKING for more than 5,000 steps per day may slow down cognitive decline and the buildup of a protein linked to Alzheimer’s disease, research suggests.

- JANE KIRBY

Experts said the new 14-year study is one of the first to explore the relationship between different levels of activity and key markers of Alzheimer's disease.

They said the findings are also important because they suggest people who already have the earliest signs of Alzheimer's in their brains may benefit from modest amounts of exercise to slow down the disease.

For the new study, published in the journal Nature Medicine, experts from Harvard analysed data from 294 people aged 50 to 90.

These people had proteins called amyloid and tau present in their brains but were not experiencing symptoms of dementia.

All were taking part in the Harvard Aging Brain Study and wore pedometers to measure physical activity such as walking.

They also underwent brain scans and annual cognitive assessments for up to 14 years. The study found that higher levels of activity was linked to a slower decline in thinking and memory skills related to amyloid proteins in the brain, which can be a sign of Alzheimer's.

There was a slowing in the buildup of the protein called tau, which is also seen in Alzheimer's.