Physical activity and controlling blood sugar in midlife are associated with a significantly slower rate of cognitive decline later, with exercise particularly beneficial for Hispanics, new research from UT Health San Antonio suggests. The findings were published on Aug. 4 by Alzheimer's & Dementia: Behavior & Socioeconomics of Aging.
The study included 402 participants from San Antonio, with 52% identifying as Hispanic and the remainder as non-Hispanic white. The mean age was approximately 58 years old, and about 58.5% were women. Researchers found that physical activity was tied to slower cognitive decline especially among Hispanic participants, while lower fasting blood glucose levels were linked to slower cognitive decline among non-Hispanic whites.
"By improving cardiovascular health through modifiable lifestyle changes, there is a potential to meaningfully alleviate the public health burden of Alzheimer's disease and other dementias, particularly in high-risk populations," said Claudia Satizabal, PhD, associate professor at UT Health San Antonio and co-senior author of the study.
The research draws attention to disparities in dementia rates across ethnic groups. Notably, the study notes that 14% of Hispanic adults aged 65 or older have Alzheimer's compared to 10% of non-Hispanic white older adults. Mexican Americans experience higher rates of diabetes, obesity, and dyslipidemia—all risk factors for dementia—yet remain underrepresented in related research.
To address this gap, UT Health San Antonio examined cardiovascular health using the American Heart Association's Life's Simple 7 framework among Mexican American and non-Hispanic white participants who had been part of long-term studies tracking chronic diseases since the late twentieth century. Cognitive performance was measured multiple times using standardized tests over several years.
Participants are now being invited to continue their involvement through the San Antonio Heart and Mind Study at the Glenn Biggs Institute for further brain imaging and neurological data collection.
