Age and Sex‐Related Differences in Neuroprotective Effects of Cardiovascular Endurance on Cortical Thickness and Brain Volume in Adults Across Age
ABSTRACT Background Higher cardiorespiratory fitness and cardiovascular endurance (CE) have been shown to be neuroprotective in older adulthood, but the mechanisms underlying this neuroprotection across the adult lifespan are poorly understood. The current study sought to examine the neuroprotective...
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Wiley
2025-01-01
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| Series: | Brain and Behavior |
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| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1002/brb3.70231 |
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| author | Junyeon Won Marissa Gogniat J. Carson Smith |
| author_facet | Junyeon Won Marissa Gogniat J. Carson Smith |
| author_sort | Junyeon Won |
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| description | ABSTRACT Background Higher cardiorespiratory fitness and cardiovascular endurance (CE) have been shown to be neuroprotective in older adulthood, but the mechanisms underlying this neuroprotection across the adult lifespan are poorly understood. The current study sought to examine the neuroprotective effects of CRF on gray matter (GM) and white matter (WM) volumes, and mean cortical thickness (MCT), using a large sample across the adult lifespan. We also examined sex differences in these relationships. Methods This cross‐sectional study included data from 1691 adults across the adult lifespan (22–100 years) from the Human Connectome Project Young Adults and Aging data. 2‐minute walk test performance was used as a proxy of CE. Structural MRI was used to assess total GM volume, WM volume, and MCT. Linear regression models were used to examine the interaction between age and CE on total GM volume, WM volume, and MCT after adjusting for sex, years of education, body mass index, systolic blood pressure, gait speed, and total intracranial volume. Whole‐brain surface‐based analysis was also performed to investigate regional effects. Finally, interactions between age, sex, and CE were examined to test sex differences. p < 0.05, two‐sided test, was designed as statistically significant. Results With greater CE, the associations between greater age and lower total and regional GM and WM volumes and MCT were attenuated in whole sample. In men, age was associated with lower total GM volume and MCT regardless of CE level. In women, attenuated negative associations between age and total GM volume and MCT were found in those with high CE. Conclusion Greater CE over the adult lifespan is associated with preservation of cortical thickness and brain volume, particularly in women. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-7d38c987bfdd4a31b73bb8b412bc7d8c |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 2162-3279 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-01-01 |
| publisher | Wiley |
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| spelling | doaj-art-7d38c987bfdd4a31b73bb8b412bc7d8c2025-01-29T13:36:40ZengWileyBrain and Behavior2162-32792025-01-01151n/an/a10.1002/brb3.70231Age and Sex‐Related Differences in Neuroprotective Effects of Cardiovascular Endurance on Cortical Thickness and Brain Volume in Adults Across AgeJunyeon Won0Marissa Gogniat1J. Carson Smith2Department of Neurology University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center Dallas Texas USADepartment of Neurology University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine Pittsburgh Pennsylvania USADepartment of Kinesiology University of Maryland College Park Maryland USAABSTRACT Background Higher cardiorespiratory fitness and cardiovascular endurance (CE) have been shown to be neuroprotective in older adulthood, but the mechanisms underlying this neuroprotection across the adult lifespan are poorly understood. The current study sought to examine the neuroprotective effects of CRF on gray matter (GM) and white matter (WM) volumes, and mean cortical thickness (MCT), using a large sample across the adult lifespan. We also examined sex differences in these relationships. Methods This cross‐sectional study included data from 1691 adults across the adult lifespan (22–100 years) from the Human Connectome Project Young Adults and Aging data. 2‐minute walk test performance was used as a proxy of CE. Structural MRI was used to assess total GM volume, WM volume, and MCT. Linear regression models were used to examine the interaction between age and CE on total GM volume, WM volume, and MCT after adjusting for sex, years of education, body mass index, systolic blood pressure, gait speed, and total intracranial volume. Whole‐brain surface‐based analysis was also performed to investigate regional effects. Finally, interactions between age, sex, and CE were examined to test sex differences. p < 0.05, two‐sided test, was designed as statistically significant. Results With greater CE, the associations between greater age and lower total and regional GM and WM volumes and MCT were attenuated in whole sample. In men, age was associated with lower total GM volume and MCT regardless of CE level. In women, attenuated negative associations between age and total GM volume and MCT were found in those with high CE. Conclusion Greater CE over the adult lifespan is associated with preservation of cortical thickness and brain volume, particularly in women.https://doi.org/10.1002/brb3.70231agingbrain volumecortical thicknessfitnessMRIsex difference |
| spellingShingle | Junyeon Won Marissa Gogniat J. Carson Smith Age and Sex‐Related Differences in Neuroprotective Effects of Cardiovascular Endurance on Cortical Thickness and Brain Volume in Adults Across Age Brain and Behavior aging brain volume cortical thickness fitness MRI sex difference |
| title | Age and Sex‐Related Differences in Neuroprotective Effects of Cardiovascular Endurance on Cortical Thickness and Brain Volume in Adults Across Age |
| title_full | Age and Sex‐Related Differences in Neuroprotective Effects of Cardiovascular Endurance on Cortical Thickness and Brain Volume in Adults Across Age |
| title_fullStr | Age and Sex‐Related Differences in Neuroprotective Effects of Cardiovascular Endurance on Cortical Thickness and Brain Volume in Adults Across Age |
| title_full_unstemmed | Age and Sex‐Related Differences in Neuroprotective Effects of Cardiovascular Endurance on Cortical Thickness and Brain Volume in Adults Across Age |
| title_short | Age and Sex‐Related Differences in Neuroprotective Effects of Cardiovascular Endurance on Cortical Thickness and Brain Volume in Adults Across Age |
| title_sort | age and sex related differences in neuroprotective effects of cardiovascular endurance on cortical thickness and brain volume in adults across age |
| topic | aging brain volume cortical thickness fitness MRI sex difference |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1002/brb3.70231 |
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