Physical activity over a decade modifies age-related decline in perfusion, gray matter volume, and functional connectivity of the posterior default mode network a multimodal approach

• One step toward healthy brain aging may be to entertain a physically active lifestyle. Studies investigating physical activity effects on brain integrity have, however, mainly been based on single brain markers, and few used a multimodal imaging approach. In the present study, we used cohort data from the Betula study to examine the relationships between scores reflecting current and accumulated physical activity and brain health. More specifically, we first examined if physical activity scores modulated negative effects of age on seven resting state networks previously identified by Salami, Pudas, and Nyberg (2014). The results revealed that one of the most age-sensitive RSN was positively altered by physical activity, namely, the posterior default-mode network involving the posterior cingulate cortex (PCC). Second, within this physical activity-sensitive RSN, we further analyzed the association between physical activity and gray matter (GM) volumes, white matter integrity, and cerebral perfusion using linear regression models. Regions within the identified DMN displayed larger GM volumes and stronger perfusion in relation to both current and 10-years accumulated scores of physical activity. No associations of physical activity and white matter integrity were observed. Collectively, our findings demonstrate strengthened PCC–cortical connectivity within the DMN, larger PCC GM volume, and higher PCC perfusion as a function of physical activity. In turn, these findings may provide insights into the mechanisms of how long-term regular exercise can contribute to healthy brain aging.

Subject headings

Medical and Health Sciences  (hsv)

Basic Medicine  (hsv)

Neurosciences  (hsv)

Medicin och hälsovetenskap  (hsv)

Medicinska grundvetenskaper  (hsv)

Neurovetenskaper  (hsv)

Medical and Health Sciences  (hsv)

Clinical Medicine  (hsv)

Radiology, Nuclear Medicine and Medical Imaging  (hsv)

Medicin och hälsovetenskap  (hsv)

Klinisk medicin  (hsv)

Radiologi och bildbehandling  (hsv)

Keyword

Physical activity

Resting state networks

fMRI

DMN

Perfusion