Richard Lucarelli BS, Presenter: Nothing to Disclose

Julia Kozlitina PhD, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

Roderick McColl PhD, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

Kevin S. King MD, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

Keith Hulsey, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

Colby Ayers MS, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

Myron F. Weiner MD, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

Ronald M. Peshock MD, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

To investigate the association between physical activity and regional brain volumes related to cognition.

3D-MPRAGE images were obtained at 3T from 2082 participants of the Dallas Heart Study, a population-based multiethnic study of cardiovascular disease. Images were analyzed with Freesurfer. Regional volumes pertinent to cognitive processes (hippocampus; medical temporal lobes) were selected for further analysis and normalized to total intracranial volume. Medial temporal lobe volume was defined as the sum of hippocampal, parahippocampal, and entorhinal cortex. Accelerometer data were gathered from the 2759 participants of the Dallas Heart Study who wore the device for 6 or more days. Activity was expressed in average counts per minute. Associations between activity and regional brain volumes were examined using multivariate linear regression analysis, segregated into men and women, and adjusted for age, ethnicity, BMI, cardiovascular risk factors, alcohol use, diabetes, income, and education. 

There were 800 women and 508 men included in the study after outlier analysis and for whom data were available for all the covariates. Greater right and left medial temporal lobe volume were associated with higher levels of physical activity (P=0.0057 and P=0.0046, respectively) in women, but not men (P=0.71 and P=0.59, respectively). In women the association between right and left hippocampal volume and physical activity approached significance (P=0.055 and P=0.086, respectively) but they did not in men (P=0.58 and P=0.62, respectively).  

On the basis of a large population based study, physical activity has a different associated effect on medial temporal lobe volume in women than in men. This association suggests that different strategies may be needed to address brain atrophy and cognitive decline in women and men. 

Cognitive impairment is becoming more frequent as our population ages. Previous small studies have suggested that activity may impact a decline in cognitive function.  

Lucarelli, R, Kozlitina, J, McColl, R, King, K, Hulsey, K, Ayers, C, Weiner, M, Peshock, R, Accelerometer-measured Physical Activity Is Associated with Medial Temporal Lobe Volume in the Dallas Heart Study.  Radiological Society of North America 2012 Scientific Assembly and Annual Meeting, November 25 - November 30, 2012 ,Chicago IL. http://archive.rsna.org/2012/12036156.html