Effect of a 24-month physical activity program on brain changes in older adults at risk of Alzheimer's disease: the AIBL active trial

White matter hyperintensities (WMHs) are a risk factor for cognitive decline. Physical activity (PA) isassociated with lower WMH. Whether long-term exposure to PA programs has beneficial effects onWMH progression in older adults with memory complaints and comorbid conditions has had limitedexploration. This study explored whether a 24-month moderate-intensity PA intervention can delay theprogression of WMH and hippocampus loss in older adults at risk for cognitive decline. Data acquired onmagnetic resonance imaging were used to measure the progression of WMH and hippocampus loss. Theresults of this study showed no effect of intervention on either the primary outcome measure “WMH” orthe secondary outcome measure “hippocampal volume.” In addition, neither beta amyloid status nor theadherence to the intervention had any effect on the outcome. In this cohort of subjective memorycomplaints and mild cognitive impairment participants with vascular risk factors, there was no effect oflong-term moderate-intensity PA on WMH or hippocampal loss