Overview

• A seven-year study of over 400 adults aged 50+ found that prolonged sedentary behavior accelerates cognitive decline and brain atrophy associated with Alzheimer’s disease.
• The findings reveal that sitting for long periods increases Alzheimer’s risk regardless of whether individuals meet recommended weekly exercise guidelines.
• Participants carrying the APOE-e4 genetic allele, a known risk factor for Alzheimer’s, experienced heightened susceptibility to the effects of sedentary behavior.
• Researchers used wrist-worn activity trackers and conducted cognitive tests and brain scans over the study period to establish the link between inactivity and neurodegeneration.
• Authors recommend breaking up sitting time throughout the day as a critical preventive strategy for maintaining brain health, especially for those at genetic risk.