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Mental Health

A person’s emotional, psychological, and social well-being, influencing how we think, feel, and act.

Dementia

A collection of symptoms caused by disorders affecting the brain, leading to cognitive deficits and interfering with normal social or working life.

Alzheimer’s Disease (AD)

The most common form of dementia, characterized by irreversible, progressive neurodegeneration affecting memory and thinking skills.

Cognitive Deficits

Impairments in memory and cognitive functions such as language disturbance, motor activities, and executive functioning.

Neurogenesis

The process of generating new neurons in the brain.

Amyloid

A general term for proteins that can clump together and form plaques in the brain, commonly associated with Alzheimer’s disease.

Beta-Amyloid

A type of amyloid protein that, in excess, is associated with the development of Alzheimer's disease.

BDNF (Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor)

A protein that promotes neuron survival and is influenced by exercise.

Physical Activity

Any bodily movement produced by skeletal muscles that requires energy expenditure, beneficial for cognitive health.

Strength Training

A form of exercise designed to improve muscle strength and endurance through resistance.

Cognitive Function

Mental capabilities that include attention, memory, producing and understanding language, and problem-solving.

Neurotransmitter Systems

Chemical messengers in the brain that transmit signals between neurons, which can be affected by exercise.

Cerebral Blood Volume

The volume of blood within the brain, which can increase due to exercise.

Risk Factors for Dementia

Factors that may increase the likelihood of developing dementia, including age, genetics, obesity, and hypertension.

Social Interaction

Engaging with others, which can positively influence cognitive health.

Cognitive Stimulation

Activities that engage and challenge the brain, potentially improving cognitive function.

ADL (Activities of Daily Living)

Basic everyday tasks that individuals perform, which may be affected in those with Alzheimer's.

Executive Function

A set of mental skills that include working memory, flexible thinking, and self-control.

Plaques and Tangles

Abnormal clusters of protein fragments (plaques) and twisted strands of another protein (tangles) that are characteristic of Alzheimer's disease.

Meta-analysis

A statistical technique that combines the results of multiple studies to identify patterns or effects.

Genetic Factors of Alzheimer’s

• AD is inherited due to genetic mutations affecting the following genes

• APP (Amyloid Precursor Protein) Chromosome 21

• PSEN1 (Presenilin 1) Chromosome 14

• PSEN2 (Presenilin 2) Chromosome 1

Affected Brains Regions of Alzheimers

• Cerebral Cortex (language and thought, shrinks significantly)

• Hippocampus (memory formation, shrinkage)

• results in larger ventricles filled with cerebrospinal fluid

Stages of Alzheimer’s

1. No impairment - Normal functioning without noticeable symptoms

2. Very mild decline -Slight forgetfulness without cognitive impairment.

3. Mild decline - Noticeable difficulties with memory and thinking, may still manage daily activities.

4. Moderate decline - Requires assistance with complex tasks, potential issues with memory retention.

5. Moderately severe decline - Significant assistance needed for daily activities; confusion about time and place.

6. Severe decline - Cannot perform daily activities; needs full-time assistance and may not recognize loved ones.

7. Very severe decline - Loss of ability to respond to the environment, speech difficulties, and physical control issues

Exercise for early to middle stages of Dementia/Alzhiemer’s

• 150 min+ aerobic weekly

• 2x resistance

• activities enhancing social, physical and cognitive engagement (dance Swimming, tai chi, games)

Exercise for late stages of Dementia/Alzhiemer’s

focus on mobility exercises, Seated exercises, progressive walking, balance training, ensure activities are tailored to ones needs and abilities.