Exercise and Dementia: Unlocking Brain Health

Does regular exercise enhance the overall health of elderly adults and reduce the risk of dementia?

Physical Activity and Dementia Prevention

Dementia refers to a group of disorders that deteriorate memory and cognitive function, and it is presently the seventh biggest cause of mortality globally. (World Health Organization, 2025) Approximately 10 million new dementia cases are diagnosed worldwide each year. (Yoon J.H. et al., 2023) A study investigating the correlation between exercise and insulin in the brain revealed that consistent physical activity may enhance cognitive performance and reduce the incidence of dementia. Researchers have discovered that diet, sleep, and mental stimulation play a significant role in cognitive health as well as:

• High blood pressure
• High blood sugar
• Age
• Increase the risk of developing dementia. (World Health Organization, 2025)

The muscles require workouts and a range of motion. Those who do not engage in physical activity grow tight, which makes it more difficult for insulin to do its assigned function. The body’s movement compresses and loosens the muscles, making the body more receptive to insulin. Discovering methods to lessen the body’s resistance to insulin could be beneficial in preventing dementia.

Exercise Linked to a Lower Risk

After two weeks of following 21 older individuals with prediabetes, the researchers discovered that exercise improves cognitive performance by assisting the brain in regulating insulin. They worked out under supervision for 12 sessions, ranging from moderate to high intensity. (Malin S. K. et al., 2025)

• The result showed a significant rise in extracellular vesicles from the brain that carry proteins linked to insulin.
• These tiny messengers help neurons talk to each other and are crucial for keeping the brain healthy.
• AKT, also known as protein kinase B or PKB, is a group of three serine/threonine-specific protein kinases important for many biological processes, such as cell survival, growth, metabolism, and cell cycle control.
• This protein, which is thought to play a major role in how insulin works, may affect brain cells and their health.
• Because a poor insulin response can contribute to dementia, the concept that exercise can assist in preventing dementia by improving insulin signaling is crucial.

Although further studies are required, these results support the idea that exercise could be a simple and inexpensive strategy to promote brain health in the long run. To further understand insulin’s effects on brain function, researchers will use magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and an insulin spray in the next investigation stage. To understand the impact of the insulin spray, they will compare the brain’s blood circulation before and after its administration.

Insulin and Exercise Promoting Brain Health

The pancreas secretes the hormone insulin, which controls blood sugar levels. But it’s equally important for brain health. Memory and learning are supported by the abundance of insulin receptors in the brain. When insulin binds to these receptors, it enhances neuronal communication and strengthens synaptic connections. (Gray, S. M., Meijer, R. I., & Barrett, E. J. 2014)

Conditions like type 2 diabetes, which are characterized by poor insulin signaling, put the brain at a higher risk of cognitive loss. (Yoon J.H. et al., 2023) Researchers observed that insulin resistance helped amyloid-beta plaques and tau tangles build up, which are two of the main signs of Alzheimer’s disease. (Hong, S., Han, K., & Park, C. Y. 2021) These changes in the brain might happen more slowly or not at all if insulin sensitivity improves. Exercise, especially aerobic exercise, is beneficial for the health of your brain. Studies have shown that adults who exercise can improve or maintain their memory and reasoning skills. (Rosenberg A. et al., 2020) Other ways to increase brain health include

• Staying socially engaged
• Engaging in brain games
• Getting healthy sleep
• Stress management
• Healthy diet
• Maintaining physical activity
• Managing diabetes
• Managing blood pressure

A combination of lifestyle changes, such as exercise and medications, will probably have the biggest impact on preventing dementia in the future. People with prediabetes or diabetes who exercise regularly may have a much lower risk of getting dementia, and may also help keep their brains healthy.

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Is Motion Key to Healing?

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References

World Health Organization. (2025). “Dementia.” World Health Organization. from www.who.int/news-room/fact sheets/detail/dementia#:~:text=Alzheimer%20disease%20is%20the%20most,60%E2%80%9370%25%20of%20cases.

Yoon, J. H., Hwang, J., Son, S. U., Choi, J., You, S. W., Park, H., Cha, S. Y., & Maeng, S. (2023). How Can Insulin Resistance Cause Alzheimer’s Disease?. International Journal of Molecular Sciences, 24(4), 3506. doi.org/10.3390/ijms24043506

Malin, S. K., Battillo, D. J., Beeri, M. S., Mustapic, M., Delgado-Peraza, F., & Kapogiannis, D. (2025). Two weeks of exercise alters neuronal extracellular vesicle insulin signaling proteins and pro-BDNF in older adults with prediabetes. Aging cell, 24(1), e14369. doi.org/10.1111/acel.14369

Gray, S. M., Meijer, R. I., & Barrett, E. J. (2014). Insulin regulates brain function, but how does it get there?. Diabetes, 63(12), 3992–3997. doi.org/10.2337/db14-0340

Hong, S., Han, K., & Park, C. Y. (2021). The insulin resistance by triglyceride glucose index and risk for dementia: population-based study. Alzheimer’s research & therapy, 13(1), 9. doi.org/10.1186/s13195-020-00758-4

Rosenberg, A., Mangialasche, F., Ngandu, T., Solomon, A., & Kivipelto, M. (2020). Multidomain Interventions to Prevent Cognitive Impairment, Alzheimer’s Disease, and Dementia: From FINGER to World-Wide FINGERS. The Journal of Prevention of Alzheimer’s disease, 7(1), 29–36. doi.org/10.14283/jpad.2019.41