评论
打印
A study published in Neurology has found that the simple act of walking may improve memory in old age. As we age, our brains shrink and the shrinkage is associated with dementia and loss of cognitive functions such as memory. To test whether physical activity could mitigate some of these degenerative effects, researchers from the University of Pittsburgh tracked the physical activity of 299 healthy men and women with an average age of 78. The participants' activity ranged anywhere from walking 0 blocks to 300 blocks (up to 30 miles) per week.
一个来自神经学的研究表明，步行这样的简单行为可能增强老年人的记忆。当我们变老时，我们的大脑会萎缩，而这种萎缩会带来痴呆和认知能力的丧失，例如记忆。为了测试身体活动是否会减轻某些衰退现象，匹兹堡大学的研究人员跟踪观察了299名平均年龄在78岁的健康男女的身体活动。自愿参加调查者的活动范围为步行0街区到300街区（最多30英里）每周。
The findings are in line with past studies linking physical activity with brain function, but dementia experts say there's not enough data yet to prescribe exercise to prevent memory loss. It's also too soon to say whether exercise may prevent dementia or simply delay it in people who would eventually develop it anyway. But when it comes to Alzheimer's, even a short delay could mean great gains in quality of life. MSNBC reports:
这个发现与早先的一些身体活动和脑功能之间关联的研究是一致的，但是痴呆专家认为现在还没有足够的资料说明可以通过指导运动来阻止记忆的衰退。同时，现在就断定对于最终会罹患痴呆的人，运动是否能起到阻止或者单纯的延缓作用，还为时过早。但是，对于老年痴呆症， 哪怕是一个很小的延缓也意味着生活质量的巨大提高。MSNBC报道说：
"Even if we are delaying [Alzheimer's disease] by several months or years, that's a significant improvement in what we know already, and a change in costs for treating health care," [study author Kirk] Erickson said. Delaying the condition could also ease the emotional burden and problems that come along with it, for both patients and their families, he said.
”即使我们只能延迟老年痴呆症几个月或者几年，都是在我们现有基础上的一个明显的进步，也是对于治疗健康问题所需花费的一个改变。“[研究作者Kirk]Erickson 这样说道。他同时指出，延迟这种状况也可以减轻患者和其家人的情绪负担以及由此引发的一系列问题。
