Overview

• A seven-year study of 404 adults aged 50+ found that prolonged sedentary behavior predicts cognitive decline and brain shrinkage, regardless of exercise levels.
• Participants who sat for longer periods experienced faster hippocampal volume loss and worse performance on memory and cognitive tests.
• Carriers of the APOE-e4 genetic allele, which increases Alzheimer’s risk, showed stronger negative effects from sedentary behavior.
• Researchers emphasize the importance of breaking up sitting time with regular movement throughout the day to protect brain health.
• The findings, published in Alzheimer’s & Dementia, highlight the need to expand dementia prevention strategies beyond exercise to include reducing sedentary time.