Behavioural determinants of cognitive ageing 

SBI contributors 

Prof. Dr. David Richter, Dr. Fabio Franzese, Judith Kronschnabl, Prof. Dr. Michael Bergmann, Dr. Agnieszka Burzynska

Project description

This package of work aims to clarify the complex interplay of lifestyle factors in cognitive ageing. Dementia and Alzheimer’s disease are among the leading causes of disability worldwide, making it essential to identify ways to reduce or delay cognitive decline. Physical activity (PA) and sleep patterns are two key factors that may influence cognitive trajectories in older adults. Low levels of PA and poor sleep have both been linked to higher levels of dementia biomarkers and increased risk of Alzheimer’s disease. 

Recent research suggests that PA and sleep may interact in predicting cognitive ageing. Cross-sectional and experimental studies indicate that higher levels of PA might offset the negative effects of poor sleep, including very short or very long sleep durations or disturbed sleep. However, long-term follow-up studies suggest that initial cognitive benefits from higher PA may not always be maintained over time. There is also evidence that PA may improve sleep quality, which in turn could support better cognitive function, pointing to potential mediation effects. 

At the brain level, our previous work has shown that aerobic PA, such as brisk walking and dance, can induce neural plasticity, linked to greater memory gains in older adults. We have also observed positive associations between greater PA, cognition, and brain structural and functional health in healthy ageing.

Status

Active

Selected publications 

Burzynska, A. Z., Voss, M. W., Fanning, J., Salerno, E. A., Gothe, N. P., McAuley, E., & Kramer, A. F. (2020). Sensor-measured sedentariness and physical activity are differentially related to fluid and crystallized abilities in aging. Psychology and aging, 35(8), 1154–1169. https://doi.org/10.1037/pag0000580  

Mendez Colmenares, A., Voss, M. W., Fanning, J., Salerno, E. A., Gothe, N. P., Thomas, M. L., McAuley, E., Kramer, A. F., & Burzynska, A. Z. (2021). White matter plasticity in healthy older adults: The effects of aerobic exercise. NeuroImage, 239, 118305. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.neuroimage.2021.118305 

Burzynska, A. Z., Wong, C. N., Voss, M. W., Cooke, G. E., Gothe, N. P., Fanning, J., McAuley, E., & Kramer, A. F. (2015). Physical Activity Is Linked to Greater Moment-To-Moment Variability in Spontaneous Brain Activity in Older Adults. PloS one, 10(8), e0134819. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0134819 

Burzynska, A. Z., Chaddock-Heyman, L., Voss, M. W., Wong, C. N., Gothe, N. P., Olson, E. A., Knecht, A., Lewis, A., Monti, J. M., Cooke, G. E., Wojcicki, T. R., Fanning, J., Chung, H. D., Awick, E., McAuley, E., & Kramer, A. F. (2014). Physical activity and cardiorespiratory fitness are beneficial for white matter in low-fit older adults. PloS one, 9(9), e107413. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0107413 

Burzynska, A. Z., Wong, C. N., Chaddock-Heyman, L., Olson, E. A., Gothe, N. P., Knecht, A., Voss, M. W., McAuley, E., & Kramer, A. F. (2016). White matter integrity, hippocampal volume, and cognitive performance of a world-famous nonagenarian track-and-field athlete. Neurocase, 22(2), 135–144. https://doi.org/10.1080/13554794.2015.1074709