Study links prolonged sitting to higher Alzheimer’s risk

A new study published in JAMA Network Open has found that prolonged sedentary behavior may significantly increase the risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease, even among individuals who exercise regularly. The research, funded by the UK Alzheimer’s Association and the U.S. National Institute on Aging, tracked over 400 adults aged 50 and older to explore how inactivity affects brain health.

Participants wore activity-tracking devices for a week, with their sedentary time later compared to brain scans and cognitive performance over seven years. Findings revealed that excessive time spent sitting or lying down was linked to shrinkage in brain areas critical to memory and cognition, regardless of daily exercise.

Neurology experts, including Dr. Marissa Gogniat of the University of Pittsburgh and Dr. Angela Jefferson of Vanderbilt University, emphasized the need for reducing sitting time to maintain brain health. Jefferson noted that frequent movement breaks could help prevent neurodegeneration, particularly in older adults with a genetic risk for Alzheimer’s.

Alzheimer’s Society also highlighted findings from 58 studies showing that regular physical activity may reduce dementia risk by up to 20%. The organization encourages older adults to stay active through enjoyable activities like walking groups or fitness videos, which also promote social engagement.