Vascular dysfunction in Alzheimer's disease: Exploring the potential of aerobic and resistance exercises as therapeutic strategies

Abstract

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is the leading cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide, as a result of cognitive decline and neurological dysfunction. In AD, reduced cerebral blood flow and impaired vascularization result from capillary bed degeneration and decreased angiogenesis, as observed in both patients and animal models. Physical exercise is recognized as a potential intervention to delay AD progression and reduce disease risk. While most studies have focused on the benefits of aerobic exercise (AE), emerging evidence suggests that resistance exercise (RE) also exerts positive effects on overall health and cognitive function in aging and AD. However, a notable gap in knowledge remains regarding the effects of RE on cerebral blood flow and vascular structure. This review explores the processes by which AE and RE influence brain vascularization in aging and AD, including blood flow, endothelial function, angiogenesis and neurotrophic factor levels. Based on pre-clinical and clinical studies, we conclude that both AE and RE contribute to improved cerebral blood flow and vascular function, promoting vascular repair in the aging and AD-affected brain. By examining the relationship between exercise modalities and brain vascularization, this review expands knowledge regarding the processes underlying the neuroprotective effects of exercise in neurodegenerative and aging conditions.

Keywords: Alzheimer's disease; aerobic exercise; cerebral vascularization; normal aging; resistance exercise.