Exercise as an Intervention for Dementia: Contemporary Evidence Pertaining to the Neuroprotective Benefits of Physical Activity in Alzheimer’s Disease

Abstract

Alzheimer's disease (AD) represents the predominant variant of dementia, distinguished by a gradual decline in cognitive faculties, loss of memory, and compromised daily functioning, ultimately culminating in complete reliance on others for caregiving. In light of its unfavorable prognosis and anticipated rise in prevalence, AD presents a considerable challenge to healthcare systems on a global scale. The pathophysiology of this affliction is intricate and entails the accumulation of amyloid β proteins within cerebral structures, the formation of neurofibrillary tangles comprised of tau protein, synaptic dysfunction, and persistent inflammation of the central nervous system. Risk factors, a considerable number of which are amenable to modification and can be managed by both the patient and the healthcare system, are increasingly acknowledged as playing a significant role in the etiology of the disease. Insufficient physical activity is regarded as especially critical, given its neuroprotective influence through the modulation of inflammatory processes, enhancement of neuroplasticity, and regulation of energy metabolism within neurons. Furthermore, physical activity incites the secretion of neurotrophins, including brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), which fosters the survival and functionality of nerve cells, mitigates oxidative stress, diminishes inflammation, and augments cerebral blood flow (CBF). Notwithstanding considerable advancements in research, the management of Alzheimer's disease continues to encounter a multitude of therapeutic obstacles, underscoring the necessity for further inquiry into preventive and therapeutic strategies, inclusive of the significance of physical rehabilitation. The objective of this review is to elucidate the current understanding of Alzheimer's disease, with a particular focus on the influence of physical activity on neuroprotection and its ramifications at both the molecular and macroscopic levels.