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Physical Activity Predicts Population-Level Age-Related Differences in Frontal White Matter.

Publication ,  Journal Article
Strömmer, JM; Davis, SW; Henson, RN; Tyler, LK; Cam-CAN, ; Campbell, KL
Published in: J Gerontol A Biol Sci Med Sci
January 20, 2020

Physical activity has positive effects on brain health and cognitive function throughout the life span. Thus far, few studies have examined the effects of physical activity on white matter microstructure and psychomotor speed within the same, population-based sample (critical if conclusions are to extend to the wider population). Here, using diffusion tensor imaging and a simple reaction time task within a relatively large population-derived sample (N = 399; 18-87 years) from the Cambridge Centre for Ageing and Neuroscience (Cam-CAN), we demonstrate that physical activity mediates the effect of age on white matter integrity, measured with fractional anisotropy. Higher self-reported daily physical activity was associated with greater preservation of white matter in several frontal tracts, including the genu of corpus callosum, uncinate fasciculus, external capsule, and anterior limb of the internal capsule. We also show that the age-related slowing is mediated by white matter integrity in the genu. Our findings contribute to a growing body of work, suggesting that a physically active lifestyle may protect against age-related structural disconnection and slowing.

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Published In

J Gerontol A Biol Sci Med Sci

DOI

EISSN

1758-535X

Publication Date

January 20, 2020

Volume

75

Issue

2

Start / End Page

236 / 243

Location

United States

Related Subject Headings

  • White Matter
  • Surveys and Questionnaires
  • Reaction Time
  • Psychomotor Performance
  • Middle Aged
  • Male
  • Image Processing, Computer-Assisted
  • Humans
  • Gerontology
  • Frontal Lobe
 

Citation

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Strömmer, J. M., Davis, S. W., Henson, R. N., Tyler, L. K., Cam-CAN, ., & Campbell, K. L. (2020). Physical Activity Predicts Population-Level Age-Related Differences in Frontal White Matter. J Gerontol A Biol Sci Med Sci, 75(2), 236–243. https://doi.org/10.1093/gerona/gly220
Strömmer, Juho M., Simon W. Davis, Richard N. Henson, Lorraine K. Tyler, Lorraine K. Cam-CAN, and Karen L. Campbell. “Physical Activity Predicts Population-Level Age-Related Differences in Frontal White Matter.J Gerontol A Biol Sci Med Sci 75, no. 2 (January 20, 2020): 236–43. https://doi.org/10.1093/gerona/gly220.
Strömmer JM, Davis SW, Henson RN, Tyler LK, Cam-CAN, Campbell KL. Physical Activity Predicts Population-Level Age-Related Differences in Frontal White Matter. J Gerontol A Biol Sci Med Sci. 2020 Jan 20;75(2):236–43.
Strömmer, Juho M., et al. “Physical Activity Predicts Population-Level Age-Related Differences in Frontal White Matter.J Gerontol A Biol Sci Med Sci, vol. 75, no. 2, Jan. 2020, pp. 236–43. Pubmed, doi:10.1093/gerona/gly220.
Strömmer JM, Davis SW, Henson RN, Tyler LK, Cam-CAN, Campbell KL. Physical Activity Predicts Population-Level Age-Related Differences in Frontal White Matter. J Gerontol A Biol Sci Med Sci. 2020 Jan 20;75(2):236–243.
Journal cover image

Published In

J Gerontol A Biol Sci Med Sci

DOI

EISSN

1758-535X

Publication Date

January 20, 2020

Volume

75

Issue

2

Start / End Page

236 / 243

Location

United States

Related Subject Headings

  • White Matter
  • Surveys and Questionnaires
  • Reaction Time
  • Psychomotor Performance
  • Middle Aged
  • Male
  • Image Processing, Computer-Assisted
  • Humans
  • Gerontology
  • Frontal Lobe