Walking Slows Alzheimer's Progression

A new 14-year study, led by scientists from Mass General Brigham and involving experts from Harvard University, suggests that walking more than 5,000 steps per day may slow cognitive decline and the build-up of proteins linked to Alzheimer s disease. Published in Nature Medicine, the research analyzed data from 296 cognitively unimpaired participants aged 50-90 from the Harvard Aging Brain Study. The findings indicate that even modest activity (3,001–5,000 steps per day) was linked to a notable slowing of tau accumulation and cognitive decline, with 5,001 to 7,500 steps per day appearing more beneficial. Cognitive decline was delayed by an average of three years for those walking 3,000-5,000 steps and by seven years for those walking 5,000-7,500 steps. The study found a link between higher activity levels and slower decline in thinking and memory skills related to amyloid proteins, and a slowing in the build-up of tau protein, both hallmarks of Alzheimer s disease. While the study is observational and cannot prove direct cause and effect, experts like Wai-Ying Wendy Yau, Jasmeer Chhatwal, and Reisa Sperling emphasize the potential for lifestyle factors to impact the earliest stages of Alzheimer s disease and build cognitive resilience.