The effect of physical exercise on cerebral blood flow in Alzheimer's disease

In recent years there has been an increasing focus on the relation between cerebrovascular health, physical exercise and Alzheimer's disease. The aim of the current study was to determine the effect of moderate-to-high-intensity aerobic exercise on cerebral blood flow in patients with mild to moderate Alzheimer's disease. Fifty-one patients were randomized to either usual care or moderate-to-high intensity aerobic exercise for 16 weeks. Exercise had no consistent effect on whole brain or regional cerebral blood flow. Sixteen weeks of exercise are, therefore, not sufficient to produce a consistent increase in cerebral blood flow in a relatively small sample of Alzheimer's patients. •An effect of aerobic exercise in people with Alzheimer's disease is hypothesized.•In a clinical trial, the effect of exercise on cerebral blood flow was assessed.•16 weeks of aerobic exercise is insufficient for detectable changes in CBF.•Future studies should consider a longer intervention or patients with milder AD.