A groundbreaking study from Vanderbilt University Medical Center and the University of Pittsburgh has found a strong link between prolonged sedentary behavior and an increased risk of Alzheimer’s disease in older adults. Published in Alzheimer’s & Dementia: The Journal of the Alzheimer’s Association, the study reveals that extended periods of sitting or lying down are associated with cognitive decline and brain atrophy—both of which are early indicators of Alzheimer’s disease.
Led by Dr. Marissa Gogniat, Assistant Professor of Neurology at Pitt, and co-authored by Dr. Angela Jefferson, founding director of the Vanderbilt Memory and Alzheimer’s Center, the study analyzed data from 404 adults aged 50 and older. Using wearable activity monitors, the researchers tracked participants’ sedentary behavior over a week and followed up with brain imaging and cognitive assessments for seven years.
Key findings show that:
More sedentary time correlated with poorer cognitive function.
Brain shrinkage occurred in regions vulnerable to Alzheimer’s.
These effects were independent of physical exercise, meaning even active individuals were at increased risk if they sat for long periods.
The negative impact was especially pronounced in individuals carrying the APOE-e4 gene variant, a known genetic risk factor for Alzheimer’s.
“Reducing your risk for Alzheimer’s disease is not just about working out once a day. Minimizing the time spent sitting, even if you do exercise daily, reduces the likelihood of developing Alzheimer’s disease,” said Dr. Gogniat.
The research team emphasized the importance of incorporating movement throughout the day. While regular exercise remains vital for overall health, breaking up sedentary time with light activity—such as standing, walking, or stretching—may be just as important for preserving brain health.
“It is critical to our brain health to take breaks from sitting throughout the day and move around,” added Dr. Jefferson. “This could be a simple and cost-effective strategy to prevent neurodegeneration, especially among those at greater genetic risk.”
The study was funded by the Alzheimer’s Association and the National Institute on Aging, further underscoring the growing national focus on lifestyle interventions in dementia prevention.
The message is clear: daily activity alone is not enough—reducing sedentary behavior throughout the day may be a crucial, and often overlooked, component of Alzheimer’s prevention.
You Might Be Interested In:
- Top 5 Symptoms of Binge Eating Disorder
- What Is a Mentally Healthy Workplace?
- What Is a Mental Illness Caused By?
