Grant: Travel Awards - Institute Community Support

Dementia is a public health priority as the world's aging population continues to increase in the coming decades. Alzheimer's disease (AD) and vascular cognitive impairment (VCI) are the two most common causes of dementia. Exercise is a promising strategy for altering the trajectory of dementia by altering brain structure and brain function. The aim of this study was to look at the effect of a 6-month exercise (i.e., walking) program on both white matter and grey matter in older adults diagnosed with VCI. Seventy-one older adults aged 56-96 years with VCI participated in this study. For six months, they either participated three times per week in an hourly walking program, or they attended a 6-month nutrition program (i.e., control group). At the start of the program and after program completion, the participants performed a MRI scan to determine white matter volume and grey matter volume. Compared with the control group (i.e., nutrition), the participants in the exercise (i.e., walking) group showed improved white matter volumes. However, total grey matter volume decreased in the exercise group compared with the control group. In conclusion, a 6-month walking program improved white matter volume in older adults diagnosed with VCI compared with a control group.