Walking 9,000 steps a day can help to combat Alzheimer’s in its early stages

TAKING at least 9,000 steps a day could help protect the memory – even among those already in the early stages of Alzheimer’s disease, Harvard research suggests.

The study found “significant” differences in the brains of those who took regular daily exercise, compared with those living more sedentary lives.

The research, which tracked 182 older adults for an average of six years, found that those who were more active retained more grey matter, and experienced a slower cognitive decline.

Scientists said the findings offered encouraging evidence that “it is never too late” to benefit from exercise.

The study involved older people without a diagnosis of dementia, but included those with elevated levels of amyloid plaques, putting them at high risk of cognitive decline.

Those in the more active group – taking an average of 8,900 steps a day – were found to fare significantly better than those whose step count averaged 2,900 steps daily.

While cognitive decline was around three per cent less in the active group, scans revealed that this group had eight per cent more grey matter.

Changes in grey matter are associated with early Alzheimer’s disease, suggesting that daily exercise could be particularly helpful in helping to slow progression at this stage.

Experts said the study, presented at the Alzheimer’s Association International Conference in Los Angeles, was one of the first to demonstrate the protective effects of physical activity in the “preclinical stage” of Alzheimer’s.

The process of the disease begins decades before clinical symptoms emerge and is characterised by early accumulation of b-amyloid protein.

Study author Jasmeer Chhatwal, from Harvard’s Brigham and Women’s Hospital, said: “Greater physical activity not only appeared to have positive effects on slowing cognitive decline, but also on slowing the rate of brain tissue loss over time in normal people who had high levels of amyloid plaque in the brain.”

Dr Aoife Kiefy, research officer from the Alzheimer’s Society, said: “What this research is suggesting is that it’s never too late – that is a really important and positive message.

“The study suggests that around 10,000 steps could be enough to slow down the processes even if they have already started in the brain.”