Aerobic fitness influences working memory updating via the striatal dopaminergic system in older adults

• There is much evidence that dopamine is vital for cognitive functioning in aging. Here we tested the hypothesis that aerobic exercise and fitness influences dopaminergic neurotransmission in the striatum as measured by positron emission tomography (PET) and the non-displacable binding potential (BPND ) of [11C]raclopride, and in turn performance on offline working-memory updating tasks. In a sample of 58 older sedentary adults undergoing a six-months exercise intervention, aerobic exercise compared to stretching, toning, and resistance training did not have a differential effect on BPND . At baseline, higher aerobic fitness levels (VO2peak ) were associated with higher BPND  in the striatum. Following the intervention, for both forms of training, we found reduced BPND , indicating increased dopamine (DA), in a cluster in the anterior striatum in individuals with larger improvements in VO2peak . This reduction in BPND  mediated a positive indirect effect of VO2peak  on working-memory updating performance. Collectively these findings implicate DA as a neurocognitive mechanism explaining the positive effects of staying physically active at an old age for working memory.

Ämnesord

MEDICIN OCH HÄLSOVETENSKAP  -- Medicinska och farmaceutiska grundvetenskaper -- Neurovetenskaper (hsv//swe)

MEDICAL AND HEALTH SCIENCES  -- Basic Medicine -- Neurosciences (hsv//eng)

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