ASSOCIATION BETWEEN BRAIN VOLUMES AND PATTERNS OF COMMUNITY-DWELLING PHYSICAL ACTIVITY

Abstract With aging, brain structural integrity may influence patterns of physical activity (PA) performed in community-dwelling settings. In 281 cognitively-intact adults aged ≥65 years, linear regression models were fitted to examine whether MRI brain volumes (cc), assessed using an automated multi-atlas approach, were cross-sectionally associated with accelerometer-derived: 1) daily PA minutes and 2) activity fragmentation defined as the ratio of # of contiguous PA minutes over total PA minutes x 100. Higher white matter in the parietal and temporal lobes were associated with more daily active minutes (2.8 (SE=1.0) and 3.1 (0.9) min/day, respectively; p<0.005 for both) after adjusting for demographics, behavioral factors, medical conditions, and intracranial volume. Higher white matter in the temporal region was associated with lower fragmentation (-0.15 (0.05) %, p=0.004). Our results suggest sensorimotor-related brain morphometry is connected with both the amount and manner in which PA is performed throughout the day in well-functioning older adults.

Download Full-text

Association Between Brain Volumes and Patterns of Physical Activity in Community-Dwelling Older Adults

The Journals of Gerontology Series A ◽

10.1093/gerona/glaa294 ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

Amal A Wanigatunga ◽

Hang Wang ◽

Yang An ◽

Eleanor M Simonsick ◽

Qu Tian ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Physical Activity ◽

Older Adults ◽

White Matter ◽

Brain Structure ◽

Community Dwelling ◽

Sensitivity Analyses ◽

Intracranial Volume ◽

Accelerometer Data ◽

Brain Volumes ◽

Cognitively Normal

Abstract Background Larger brain volumes are often associated with more free-living physical activity (PA) in cognitively normal older adults. Yet, whether greater brain volumes are associated with more favorable (less fragmented) PA patterns, and whether this association is stronger than with total PA, remains unknown. Methods Brain magnetic resonance imaging and wrist-worn accelerometer data were collected in 301 participants (mean age = 77 [SD = 7] years, 59% women) enrolled in the Baltimore Longitudinal Study of Aging. Linear regression models were fit to examine whether brain volumes (cc) were cross-sectionally associated with: (a) total daily PA minutes and (b) activity fragmentation (mean number of PA bouts / total PA minutes × 100). Sensitivity analyses were conducted by adjusting for counterpart PA variables (eg, fragmentation covariate included in the PA minutes model). Results Greater white matter volumes in the parietal and temporal lobes were associated with higher daily PA minutes (2.6 [SE = 1.0] and 3.8 [0.9] min/day, respectively; p < .009 for both) after adjusting for demographics, behavioral factors, medical conditions, gait speed, apolipoprotein E e4 status, and intracranial volume. Greater temporal white matter volume was associated with lower fragmentation (−0.16% [0.05], p = .003). In sensitivity analyses, observed associations between brain volumes and daily PA minutes remained significant while associations with fragmentation no longer remained significant. Conclusions Our results suggest white matter brain structure in cognitively normal older adults is associated with the total amount of PA and, to a lesser extent, the PA accumulation patterns. More work is needed to elucidate the longitudinal relationship between brain structure and function and PA patterns with aging.

Download Full-text

Associations of the Mediterranean diet with cognitive and neuroimaging phenotypes of dementia in healthy older adults

American Journal of Clinical Nutrition ◽

10.1093/ajcn/nqy275 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 109 (2) ◽

pp. 361-368 ◽

Cited By ~ 23

Author(s):

Aimee J Karstens ◽

Lisa Tussing-Humphreys ◽

Liang Zhan ◽

Niranjini Rajendran ◽

Jamie Cohen ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Older Adults ◽

Information Processing ◽

Executive Functioning ◽

Mediterranean Diet ◽

Sex Education ◽

Structural Integrity ◽

Community Dwelling ◽

White Matter Hyperintensity ◽

Intracranial Volume ◽

Linear Regression Models

ABSTRACTBackgroundAccumulating evidence suggests that higher Mediterranean diet (MedDiet) adherence is associated with higher global cognitive performance and brain structural integrity as well as decreased risk of Alzheimer disease (AD) and vascular dementia (VaD).ObjectivesWe directly examined cross-sectional associations between the MedDiet and cognitive and neuroimaging phenotypes associated with AD and VaD (separately) in a cohort of nondemented, nondepressed older adults.MethodsCommunity-dwelling older adults (n = 82; aged ∼68.8 y; 50% female, 50% minority) underwent dietary (Block Food Frequency Questionnaire 2005) and neuropsychological assessments and neuroimaging. MedDiet scores were quantified with the use of published criteria, and participants were divided into High and Low (median split) adherence groups. We focused our neuropsychological investigation on cognitive phenotypes primarily associated with AD [i.e., learning and memory (L&M)] and VaD (i.e., information processing and executive functioning). AD neuroimaging phenotypes consisted of hippocampal and dentate gyrus volumes quantified using T1-weighted images and the FreeSurfer 6.0 segmentation pipeline (http://surfer.nmr.mgh.harvard.edu). The VaD neuroimaging phenotype consisted of total white matter hyperintensity (WMH) volumes quantified using combined T1-weighted and T2-fluid-attenuated inversion recovery images. Neuroimaging metrics were adjusted for total intracranial volume. Separate multivariable linear regression models controlling for age, sex, education, body mass index, and caloric intake examined the associations between MedDiet groups (High compared with Low) and cognitive and neuroimaging outcomes.ResultsWhen compared with the Low MedDiet group, the High MedDiet group was associated with better L&M performance and larger dentate gyri. MedDiet adherence was not associated with information processing, executive functioning, or WMH.ConclusionResults highlight the association between increasing MedDiet adherence and specific cognitive and neuroimaging phenotypes that, when altered, are associated with AD.

Download Full-text

The Longitudinal Association of Walking Efficiency With Brain Volumes in Community-Dwelling Older Adults

Innovation in Aging ◽

10.1093/geroni/igaa057.2834 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 4 (Supplement_1) ◽

pp. 783-783

Author(s):

Jennifer Schrack ◽

Fangyu Liu ◽

Amal Wanigatunga ◽

Yang An ◽

Christos Davatzikos ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Region Of Interest ◽

Cognitive Status ◽

Community Dwelling ◽

Intracranial Volume ◽

Brain Volumes ◽

Age Related ◽

Lower Baseline ◽

Longitudinal Association ◽

Mri Scans ◽

Walking Efficiency

Abstract Walking efficiency (WE) predicts mobility decline and is linked with higher fatigability. Fatigability is associated with cognitive decline and reduced brain volumes (BV), but the link between WE and BV is undefined. We examined associations between WE and BV in 860 participants of the BLSA (mean age 66.4(14.4) years, 54.5% women). WE was assessed during 2.5-minutes of usual-paced walking using indirect calorimetry and standardized per meter (ml/kg/m). BV measures were derived using MRI scans and an automated multi-atlas region-of-interest approach. In linear mixed models adjusted for demographics, education, BMI, intracranial volume, and cognitive status, lower baseline WE was associated with lower total, white, and gray matter, primarily in the frontal and temporal lobes (all p<0.05). Longitudinally, declining WE was associated with increasing ventricular and decreasing hippocampal volumes over follow-up (all p<0.01). Findings suggest rising age-related inefficiencies may reflect underlying brain atrophy and serve as a novel indicator for future interventions.

Download Full-text

Influence of White Matter Hyperintensities on Baseline and Longitudinal Amyloid-β in Cognitively Normal Individuals

Journal of Alzheimer s Disease ◽

10.3233/jad-210333 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 1-11

Author(s):

Fennie Choy Chin Wong ◽

Seyed Ehsan Saffari ◽

Chathuri Yatawara ◽

Kok Pin Ng ◽

Nagaendran Kandiah ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Alzheimer’S Disease ◽

Alzheimer's Disease ◽

Executive Function ◽

White Matter ◽

White Matter Hyperintensities ◽

Small Vessel Disease ◽

Amyloid Β ◽

Intracranial Volume ◽

Linear Regression Models ◽

Cognitively Normal

Background: The associations between small vessel disease (SVD) and cerebrospinal amyloid-β1-42 (Aβ1-42) pathology have not been well-elucidated. Objective: Baseline (BL) white matter hyperintensities (WMH) were examined for associations with month-24 (M24) and longitudinal Aβ1-42 change in cognitively normal (CN) subjects. The interaction of WMH and Aβ1-42 on memory and executive function were also examined. Methods: This study included 72 subjects from the Alzheimer’s Disease Neuroimaging Initiative. Multivariable linear regression models evaluated associations between baseline WMH/intracranial volume ratio, M24 and change in Aβ1-42 over two years. Linear mixed effects models evaluated interactions between BL WMH/ICV and Aβ1-42 on memory and executive function. Results: Mean age of the subjects (Nmales = 36) = 73.80 years, SD = 6.73; mean education years = 17.1, SD = 2.4. BL WMH was significantly associated with M24 Aβ1-42 (p = 0.008) and two-year change in Aβ1-42 (p = 0.006). Interaction between higher WMH and lower Aβ1-42 at baseline was significantly associated with worse memory at baseline and M24 (p = 0.003). Conclusion: BL WMH was associated with M24 and longitudinal Aβ1-42 change in CN. The interaction between higher WMH and lower Aβ1-42 was associated with poorer memory. Since SVD is associated with longitudinal Aβ1-42 pathology, and the interaction of both factors is linked to poorer cognitive outcomes, the mitigation of SVD may be correlated with reduced amyloid pathology and milder cognitive deterioration in Alzheimer’s disease.

Download Full-text

Abstract 47: White Matter Atrophy in Cerebral Amyloid Angiopathy

Stroke ◽

10.1161/str.47.suppl_1.47 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 47 (suppl_1) ◽

Author(s):

Panagiotis Fotiadis ◽

Aaron Schultz ◽

Trey Hedden ◽

Sergi Martinez-Ramirez ◽

Yael Reijmer ◽

...

Keyword(s):

White Matter ◽

Cerebral Amyloid Angiopathy ◽

Cortical Thickness ◽

Tissue Loss ◽

White Matter Hyperintensity ◽

Aging Brain ◽

Amyloid Angiopathy ◽

Intracranial Volume ◽

White Matter Volume ◽

Cerebral Amyloid

Background/Purpose: Cerebral Amyloid Angiopathy (CAA) leads to leukoaraiosis, lacunar infarcts and cortical tissue loss. We hypothesized that CAA is also associated with white matter atrophy (WMA). Methods: We have compared volumetric multimodal MRIs from 72 prospectively enrolled non-demented patients with probable CAA (per Boston criteria), to 3 other well-studied cohorts: 289 Healthy Controls (HC) from the Harvard Aging Brain (HAB) study, 231 HC and 198 patients with AD from the Alzheimer’s Disease Neuroimaging Initiative (ADNI). Validated FreeSurfer algorithms were used to calculate White Matter Volume (WMV), white matter hyperintensity volume (WMHv), and cortical thickness. Microbleeds (MBs) were counted on SWI-MRI. Measures were obtained from the contralateral hemisphere if intracerebral hemorrhage present. All volumes were corrected for total intracranial volume (ICV), so reported as percent of ICV. Results: The CAA patients were significantly younger (mean age: 70.1) compared to both HC cohorts (ADNI-HC: 76.0, p<0.001, HAB-HC: 73.8, p < 0.001), and to patients with AD (75.5, p < 0.001). Despite being younger, patients with CAA presented significantly lower global WMV (28% ± 2.6) than both ADNI-HC (29.2% ± 2.2, p < 0.001), HAB-HC (29.0% ± 2.5, p = 0.001), and patients with AD (28.7% ± 2.2, p = 0.02) [Figure]. The association persisted after correcting for age, gender and WMHv. Within the CAA cohort, there was a negative correlation between WMV and lobar MB counts (rho = -0.26, p = 0.03), it remained significant after correcting for age, gender, WMHv (p=0.016). There were no significant associations however between WMV and neither WMHv, nor cortical thickness (both p>0.2). Conclusions: Patients with CAA show WMA when compared to older HC and AD. WMA independently correlates with MBs, a marker of CAA severity. Consistent spatial patterns of atrophy especially in posterior regions when compared to both HC and AD [Figure] might represent the “WMA signature of CAA”.

Download Full-text

Effects of Reallocating Time Spent in Different Physical Activity Intensities on Sarcopenia Risk in Older Adults: An Isotemporal Substitution Analysis

Biology ◽

10.3390/biology11010111 ◽

2022 ◽

Vol 11 (1) ◽

pp. 111

Author(s):

Jort Veen ◽

Diego Montiel-Rojas ◽

Fawzi Kadi ◽

Andreas Nilsson

Keyword(s):

Physical Activity ◽

Older Adults ◽

Protein Intake ◽

Handgrip Strength ◽

Community Dwelling ◽

Self Report ◽

Linear Regression Models ◽

Age Related ◽

Muscle Health ◽

The Impact

The role of daily time spent sedentary and in different intensities of physical activity (PA) for the maintenance of muscle health currently remains unclear. Therefore, we investigated the impact of reallocating time spent in different PA intensities on sarcopenia risk in older adults, while considering PA type (muscle strengthening activities, MSA) and protein intake. In a sample of 235 community-dwelling older adults (65–70 years), a sarcopenia risk score (SRS) was created based on muscle mass assessed by bioimpedance, together with handgrip strength and performance on the five times sit-to-stand (5-STS) test assessed by standardized procedures. Time spent in light-intensity PA (LPA), moderate-to-vigorous PA (MVPA), and being sedentary was assessed by accelerometry, and PA type (MSA) by self-report. Linear regression models based on isotemporal substitution were employed. Reallocating sedentary time to at least LPA was significantly (p < 0.05) related to a lower SRS, which remained evident after adjustment by PA type (MSA) and protein intake. Similarly, reallocating time in LPA by MVPA was related to a significantly (p < 0.05) lower SRS. Our results emphasize the importance of displacing sedentary behaviours for more active pursuits, where PA of even light intensities may alleviate age-related deteriorations of muscle health in older adults.

Download Full-text

Longitudinal Association Between Perceived Fatigability and Brain Volumes in Community-Dwelling Older Adults

Innovation in Aging ◽

10.1093/geroni/igab046.800 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 5 (Supplement_1) ◽

pp. 209-209

Author(s):

Fangyu Liu ◽

Yang An ◽

Amal Wanigatunga ◽

Alden Gross ◽

Eleanor Simonsick ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Older Adults ◽

Gray Matter ◽

Brain Atrophy ◽

Perceived Exertion ◽

Community Dwelling ◽

Rating Of Perceived Exertion ◽

Intracranial Volume ◽

Brain Volumes ◽

Potential Marker ◽

Longitudinal Association

Abstract Perceived fatigability is linked to declining physical and cognitive performance, yet whether fatigability reflects early subclinical change in brain structure is unknown. Using mixed effects models, we assessed the longitudinal association of 3T MRI-derived brain volumes with perceived fatigability after a 5-min treadmill walk (0.67 m/s, 0% grade) using the Borg Rating of Perceived Exertion scale (range 6-20) in 802 BLSA participants (age 68.2+/-12.4 years, 45% men 66% White). In models adjusted for intracranial volume, demographics, chronic conditions, and CESD score, declining gray matter volumes in the frontal (β=-0.01) and temporal (β=-0.02) lobes, as well as the hippocampus (β=-0.25), precuneus (β=-0.10) and thalamus (β=-0.19) were associated with higher fatigability. Larger ventricular volumes were also associated with higher fatigability (β=0.02). Brain atrophy, particularly in gray matter and the hippocampal region, is longitudinally associated with increased fatigability in cognitively normal older adults, making it a potential marker of brain atrophy.

Download Full-text

Twin-Singleton Differences in Neonatal Brain Structure

Twin Research and Human Genetics ◽

10.1375/twin.14.3.268 ◽

2011 ◽

Vol 14 (3) ◽

pp. 268-276 ◽

Cited By ~ 13

Author(s):

Rebecca C. Knickmeyer ◽

Chaeryon Kang ◽

Sandra Woolson ◽

J. Keith Smith ◽

Robert M. Hamer ◽

...

Keyword(s):

White Matter ◽

Gray Matter ◽

Gestational Age ◽

Twin Studies ◽

Postnatal Period ◽

Intracranial Volume ◽

Brain Volumes ◽

Mri Scans ◽

Mz Twins ◽

The Relationship

Twin studies suggest that global and regional brain volumes are highly heritable. However, estimates of heritability vary across development. Given that all twin studies are open to the potential criticism of non-generalizability due to differences in intrauterine environment between twins and singletons, these age effects may reflect the influence of perinatal environmental factors, which are unique to twins and which may be especially evident early in life. To address this question, we compared brain volumes and the relationship of brain volumes to gestational age in 136 singletons (67 male, 69 female) and 154 twins (75 male, 79 female; 82 DZ, 72 MZ) who had received high resolution MRI scans of the brain in the first month of life. Intracranial volume, total white matter, and ventricle volumes did not differ between twins and singletons. However, cerebrospinal fluid and frontal white matter volume was greater in twins compared to singletons. While gray matter volumes at MRI did not differ between groups, the slope of the relationship between total and cortical gray matter and gestational age at the MRI scan was steeper in MZ twins compared to DZ twins. Post-hoc analyses suggested that gray matter development is delayed in MZ twins in utero and that they experience ‘catch-up’ growth in the first month of life. These differences should be taken into account when interpreting and designing studies in the early postnatal period.

Download Full-text

Association of Air Pollution and Physical Activity With Brain Volumes

Neurology ◽

10.1212/wnl.0000000000013031 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 10.1212/WNL.0000000000013031

Author(s):

Melissa A. Furlong ◽

Gene E. Alexander ◽

Yann C. Klimentidis ◽

David A. Raichlen

Keyword(s):

Physical Activity ◽

Air Pollution ◽

White Matter ◽

Multiple Testing ◽

Vigorous Physical Activity ◽

White Matter Hyperintensity ◽

Brain Volumes ◽

Negatively Associated ◽

Adult Participants ◽

The Uk

Objective:In high pollution areas, physical activity may have a paradoxical effect on brain health by increasing particulate deposition in the lungs. We examined whether physical activity modifies associations of air pollution with brain volumes in an epidemiological framework.Methods:The UK Biobank (UKB) enrolled >500,000 adult participants from 2006-2010. Wrist accelerometers, multimodal MRI with T1 images and T2 FLAIR data, and land use regression, were used to estimate vigorous physical activity (VigPA), structural brain volumes, and air pollution (AP) respectively in subsets of the full sample. We evaluated associations between AP interquartile ranges, VigPA, and brain structure volumes, and assessed interactions between AP and VigPA.Results:8,600 participants were included, with an average age of 55.55 (sd=7.46). After correcting for multiple testing, in overall models VigPA was positively associated with grey matter (GMV) and negatively associated with white matter hyperintensity volumes (WMHV), while NO2, PM2.5absorbance, and PM2.5 were negatively associated with GMV. NO2 and PM2.5absorbance interacted with VigPA on WMHV (FDR-corrected interaction p-values=0.037). Associations between these air pollutants and WMHVs were stronger among participants with high VigPA. Similarly, VigPA was negatively associated with WMHV for those in areas of low NO2 and PM2.5absorbance, but was null among those living in areas of high NO2 and PM2.5absorbance.Conclusions:Physical activity is associated with beneficial brain outcomes, while AP is associated with detrimental brain outcomes. Vigorous physical activity may exacerbate associations of AP with white matter hyperintensity lesions, and AP may attenuate the beneficial associations of physical activity with these lesions.

Download Full-text

Abstract 043: Leisure-Time Physical Activity in Adulthood and Region of Interest (ROI) Brain Volumes: The Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities Neurocognitive Study (ARIC-NCS)

Circulation ◽

10.1161/circ.137.suppl_1.043 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 137 (suppl_1) ◽

Author(s):

Priya Palta ◽

A R Sharrett ◽

Kelly R Evenson ◽

Clifford R Jack ◽

Pamela L Lutsey ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Physical Activity ◽

Cognitive Impairment ◽

Life Table ◽

Brain Mri ◽

Late Life ◽

Intracranial Volume ◽

Reverse Causality ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Brain Volumes ◽

Age Related

Introduction: Several studies report late-life physical activity (PA) to be associated with less brain atrophy. Associations of PA and subclinical brain markers evaluated at older ages may be subject to reverse causality due to comorbidity, age-related changes in lifestyle, or incipient cognitive impairment. Therefore, we aimed to compare late-life cross-sectional estimates of PA and ROI brain volumes to those using prospective PA measures from mid- to late-life. Methods: Participants (n=1549, mean age: 75, 39% male, 20% Black) with repeat assessments of PA from visit 1 (1987-1989) and a brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in 2011-2013 were included. Total volume of PA in metabolic equivalent-min/week was estimated using the Baecke Physical Activity Questionnaire and classified as no, low, middle or high at each visit. Based on visit 1 and 3 (1993-1995) PA assessments, a subset of participants (n=663) were further categorized as habitually inactive or having habitually low, middle, or high PA in mid-life. Brain MRI using 3D-1.5T equipment quantified ROI volumes following a standardized protocol. Weighted linear regression adjusted for intracranial volume, demographics, select cardiovascular risk factors and ApoE4 estimated the standardized difference in ROI volumes. Results: Compared to no PA, high PA was associated with larger ROI brain volumes cross-sectionally in late-life (Table). High mid-life PA was only modestly associated with larger frontal cortical and deep gray matter volumes in late-life (Table). Habitually high PA in mid-life was not associated with less atrophy across brain regions in late-life. Conclusions: Our results do not support a causal interpretation of the cross-sectional associations between PA and brain volumes reported in late-life. Drawing on long-term population-based data, this study provides novel information on the associations of PA across life epochs with brain health, which can inform translational and intervention efforts to reduce age-related cognitive impairment.

Download Full-text