Cycling Benefits: Lower Dementia Risk

How Cycling Boosts Brain Health

A recent study shows that cycling can lower the risk of dementia. This is great news for those who love to ride their bikes. The study was published in the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) Network Open. It looked at data from nearly 480,000 people over 13 years.

Key Findings

• Cycling is linked to a lower chance of getting all types of dementia.
• This includes early-onset, late-onset, and Alzheimer’s disease.

Why Cycling Helps

Experts say cycling is good for the brain. Here’s how it helps:

• Increases Blood Flow: Cycling boosts blood flow to the brain. This brings oxygen and nutrients to important areas like the hippocampus, which is key for learning and memory.
• Promotes Brain Cell Growth: Cycling helps produce Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor (BDNF). This protein supports brain cell growth and health.
• Reduces Harmful Deposits: It decreases oxidative stress and reduces beta-amyloid deposits, which are linked to Alzheimer’s.
• Improves Overall Health: Cycling supports heart health, reduces inflammation, improves insulin sensitivity, and regulates blood pressure. All these benefits help lower the risk of dementia.

Understanding Dementia

Dementia is a growing concern. Cases are expected to rise from 55 million in 2019 to 139 million by 2050. It is becoming a major issue for elderly people. Young-onset dementia, which happens before age 65, affects about 3.9 million people worldwide. It requires more care even though it is less common than late-onset dementia.

Young-Onset Dementia

Dr. Vinit Suri, a senior neurology consultant, explains that young-onset dementia makes up 5-10% of all dementia cases. It usually affects people aged 45-65, but sometimes even those aged 30-40.

Early detection is crucial. Symptoms can be confused with stress or mental health issues, which can delay diagnosis. Look out for these signs:

• Memory loss
• Difficulty planning
• Personality changes
• Language issues
• Poor judgment

Younger patients might also show changes in work performance, problems managing finances, and difficulties in social interactions. Some cases may have movement or visual-spatial issues depending on the cause. Professional assessment is crucial due to symptom overlap with other conditions.

Causes of Young-Onset Dementia

Dr. Arun Garg, chairman of neurology and neurosciences, lists the main causes:

• Alzheimer’s disease (most common, even in younger individuals)
• Frontotemporal dementia (affecting behavior and language)
• Vascular dementia (due to stroke or reduced blood flow to the brain)
• Lewy body dementia
• Genetic factors (mutations in the APP or PSEN genes)
• Secondary causes like traumatic brain injury, infections (like HIV), or autoimmune diseases

Preventing Dementia

While dementia typically appears after age 60, younger people are increasingly experiencing strokes. These strokes are due to smoking, alcohol, hypertension, diabetes, air pollution, and sleep apnea. Multiple strokes can lead to vascular cognitive impairment and vascular dementia, the second most common type after Alzheimer’s.

Professor Manjari Tripathi, head of neurology at AIIMS, recommends a balanced diet. This diet should be rich in vegetables, fruits, sprouts, and legumes to help maintain brain health.