Neural Regeneration Research ›› 2024, Vol. 19 ›› Issue (10): 2175-2188.doi: 10.4103/1673-5374.391308

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Efficacy of exercise rehabilitation for managing patients with Alzheimer’s disease

Dan Li1, Jinning Jia1, Haibo Zeng2, Xiaoyan Zhong1, Hui Chen3, Chenju Yi4, 5, 6, *   

  1. 1Department of Pathology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Gannan Medical University, Ganzhou, Jiangxi Province, China; 2Department of Pathology, Huichang County People’s Hospital, Ganzhou, Jiangxi Province, China; 3School of Life Sciences, Faculty of Science, University of Technology Sydney, Ultimo, NSW, Australia; 4Research Center, The Seventh Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Shenzhen, Guangdong Province, China; 5Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Chinese Medicine Active Substance Screening and Translational Research, Shenzhen, Guangdong Province, China; 6Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Brain Function and Disease, Guangzhou, Guangdong Province, China
  • Online:2024-10-15 Published:2024-01-29
  • Contact: Chenju Yi, MD, PhD, yichj@mail.sysu.edu.cn.
  • Supported by:
    This work was supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China, Nos. 81971309 (to CY), 32170980 (to CY), 82260272 (to DL); the Natural Science Foundation of Jiangxi Province, No. 20192BAB205078 (to DL); Guangdong Basic and Applied Basic Research Foundation, No. 2022B1515020012 (to CY); and Shenzhen Fundamental Research Program, Nos. JCYJ20210324123212035 (to CY), RCYX20200714114644167 (to CY), and ZDSYS20220606100801003 (to CY).

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Abstract: Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is a progressive and degenerative neurological disease characterized by the deterioration of cognitive functions. While a definitive cure and optimal medication to impede disease progression are currently unavailable, a plethora of studies have highlighted the potential advantages of exercise rehabilitation for managing this condition. Those studies show that exercise rehabilitation can enhance cognitive function and improve the quality of life for individuals affected by AD. Therefore, exercise rehabilitation has been regarded as one of the most important strategies for managing patients with AD. Herein, we provide a comprehensive analysis of the currently available findings on exercise rehabilitation in patients with AD, with a focus on the exercise types which have shown efficacy when implemented alone or combined with other treatment methods, as well as the potential mechanisms underlying these positive effects. Specifically, we explain how exercise may improve the brain microenvironment and neuronal plasticity. In conclusion, exercise is a cost-effective intervention to enhance cognitive performance and improve quality of life in patients with mild to moderate cognitive dysfunction. Therefore, it can potentially become both a physical activity and a tailored intervention. This review may aid the development of more effective and individualized treatment strategies to address the challenges imposed by this debilitating disease, especially in low- and middle-income countries.

Key words: Alzheimer’s disease, cerebrovascular function, cognitive function, epigenetic regulation, exercise, hippocampal neurogenesis, mitochondria, neuroinflammation, neuronal plasticity