Physical Activity Across the Life Course and Risk for Alzheimer's Disease and Related Disorders
Physical Activity Across the Life Course and Risk for Alzheimer's Disease and Related Disorders
The prevalence of all-cause dementia increases sharply with age and is expected to triple in the next 50 years. Despite progress in dementia drug development, there is no cure, necessitating a focus on decreasing the risk of dementia. The prevalence and incidence of dementia in the United States may have declined in the past 25 years partly due to improved control of cardiovascular risk factors such as physical activity. Alzheimer's disease is the most common type of dementia. Alzheimer’s disease prevention may be most effective when administered 15-25 years before the onset of symptoms. I study how different types and intensities of physical activity earlier in life may be associated with decreased risk of Alzheimer's disease and related dementias later in life.
Program of Research
My program of research focuses on determining which intensities (sedentary, light, moderate, vigorous) of which physical activity domains of (occupation, transportation, household, leisure-time) across which developmental stages (school-age, adolescence, young, middle-adulthood) are associated with preserved cognition and decreased risk for Alzheimer’s disease and related disorders via biomarkers.
Program of Research team
Populations of interests
- School-age
- Adolescence
- Young adult
- Middle adult
- Cognitively-intact older adults