Fleming Victoria L, Peven Jamie, Helsel Brian C, Ptomey Lauren T, Clina Julianne, Barry Ashlyn, Ances Beau M, Handen Benjamin L, Christian Bradley T, Laymon Charles, Zammit Matthew, Head Elizabeth, Mapstone Mark, Okonkwo Ozioma, Hartley Sigan L
Waisman Center University of Wisconsin-Madison Madison Wisconsin USA.
Department of Human Development and Family Studies University of Wisconsin-Madison Madison Wisconsin USA.
Alzheimers Dement (N Y). 2025 Jun 27;11(3):e70127. doi: 10.1002/trc2.70127. eCollection 2025 Jul-Sep.
Adults with Down syndrome (DS) are at risk for Alzheimer's disease (AD). Lifestyle factors such as engagement in moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) reduce risk or delay the onset of AD. This study aimed to determine whether MVPA confers a (AD pathology) or (cognitive decline) effect on the relationship between AD pathology and cognitive decline in DS.
Analyses included 69 adults with DS (aged 26-58) who participated in a longitudinal study across 3.29 years. An actigraphy accelerometer assessed MVPA across 7 days. Directly administered and informant-reported measures assessed cognitive functioning, specifically memory and dementia symptoms. Neuroimaging biomarkers quantified amyloid beta (Aβ) burden, as assessed via positron emission tomography imaging.
In regression models, baseline MVPA was not associated with baseline level or change in global Aβ burden across 32 months. However, baseline MVPA ( = -0.005 to -0.004, < 0.05) significantly moderated the association between increases in Aβ burden and declines in cognitive functioning. Adults with DS who engaged in greater MVPA experienced less cognitive decline compared to adults with DS who engaged in less MVPA, who had similar Aβ load.
MVPA may help maintain cognitive functioning early in the progression of AD pathology in adults with DS.
Adults with Down syndrome are genetically at risk for Alzheimer's disease (AD).Timing of AD clinical onset spans 30+ years.Physical activity has been linked to less cognitive decline and dementia symptoms.Physical activity may protect against dementia through resilience mechanisms.Physical activity could be a low-cost intervention to help prevent cognitive decline.
成年唐氏综合征（DS）患者患阿尔茨海默病（AD）的风险较高。诸如进行中度至剧烈体育活动（MVPA）等生活方式因素可降低AD风险或延缓其发病。本研究旨在确定MVPA对DS患者AD病理与认知衰退之间关系是否具有（AD病理）或（认知衰退）影响。
分析纳入了69名年龄在26 - 58岁之间、参与了为期3.29年纵向研究的成年DS患者。通过活动记录仪加速度计评估7天内的MVPA。直接实施的测量方法以及 informant报告的测量方法评估认知功能，特别是记忆和痴呆症状。通过正电子发射断层扫描成像评估神经影像学生物标志物来量化淀粉样蛋白β（Aβ）负荷。
在回归模型中, 基线MVPA与32个月内的基线Aβ总负荷水平或变化无关。然而，基线MVPA（ = -0.005至 -0.004， < 0.05）显著调节了Aβ负荷增加与认知功能下降之间的关联。与MVPA较少、Aβ负荷相似的成年DS患者相比，进行更多MVPA的成年DS患者认知衰退较少。
MVPA可能有助于在成年DS患者AD病理进展早期维持认知功能。
成年唐氏综合征患者在基因上有患阿尔茨海默病（AD）的风险。AD临床发病时间跨度超过30年。体育活动与较少的认知衰退和痴呆症状有关。体育活动可能通过恢复机制预防痴呆。体育活动可能是一种低成本干预措施，有助于预防认知衰退。
