ABOUT 100 seniors put their best feet forward in an outdoor exercise class at the University of the Sunshine Coast on Tuesday, September 15, as researchers highlighted new findings linking physical activity with better brain health.
The Mind Your Future: Research insights into lifestyle and healthy brain ageing event brought together participants from UniSC studies examining how lifestyle factors could help reduce the risk of dementia.
Among the latest findings was research from UniSC’s Thompson Institute identifying for the first time in humans the role of a brain chemical called irisin in the relationship between physical activity and brain health.
Lead author Dr Thomas Pace said older adults who exercised more had higher levels of irisin in their blood, with higher levels also associated with a larger hippocampus.
“It found that older adults who exercised more had more irisin in their blood, and those with more irisin had a larger hippocampus, particularly in the subfields most important for memory,” Dr Pace said.
“This is the first time that pathway has been shown in humans, and it’s exciting because the hippocampus shrinks with age and is often the first part of the brain to be affected by Alzheimer’s disease.” The findings were published in the international journal Aging Cell.
UniSC Associate Professor Sophie Andrews, who leads the Thompson Institute’s Healthy Brain Ageing Research Program, said the team was working to translate the findings into practical interventions.
“We recently conducted a 12-week intervention to boost the brain health of older people, involving multiple lifestyle changes such as diet and exercise,” she said.
The event also recognised more than 400 older people who had participated in six UniSC studies during the past six years.
National Seniors Australia CEO Chris Grice said the research showed positive lifestyle changes could make a difference at any age.
“Whether it’s taking a daily walk, joining a community group or improving sleep habits, the evidence is clear, it’s never too late to start and small actions can contribute to better brain health and wellbeing,” he said.