Pedal for the mind: Cycling linked to lower dementia risk, study finds
NEW DELHI: Individuals who primarily commute by bicycle have a reduced overall risk of developing dementia compared to people who rely on passive transport methods like automobiles, buses, or railways.
This was revealed in a study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) Network Open, analysing data related to 4,79,723 participants across 13 years.
The authors of the study said, "Our findings suggest that promoting active travel strategies, particularly cycling, may be associated with lower dementia risk among middle-aged and older adults, which carries substantial public health benefits by encouraging accessible, sustainable practices for cognitive health preservation."
They said that cycling and mixed-cycling modes were associated with a lower incidence of all-cause dementia, including early-onset, late-onset and Alzheimer's disease.
Neurologists confirm that this recent study reinforces their existing understanding of cycling's positive impact on cognitive function and its ability to lower dementia risk. The research indicates that cycling activates various physiological processes that support mental health.
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Physical activities, including walking, cycling, aerobics, and dancing, all improve brain function.
Dr Rajul Aggarwal, director, neurology, Sri Balaji Action Medical Institute, explained that aerobic activities such as cycling boost cerebral blood flow, delivering oxygen and nutrients to crucial brain regions, particularly the hippocampus, which manages learning and memory. Cycling promotes brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) production, a protein that supports synaptic plasticity whilst promoting neuron development and longevity.
These processes prevent neurodegeneration, decrease oxidative stress, and reduce beta-amyloid deposits associated with Alzheimer's. Cycling also supports cardiovascular health, reduces inflammation, improves insulin sensitivity, and regulates blood pressure, collectively lowering dementia risk.
Global dementia cases are projected to rise from 55 million in 2019 to 139 million by 2050, becoming a major disability factor in elderly people.
Young-onset dementia, occurring before 65 years, affects around 3.9 million people globally, requiring more intensive care despite being less frequent than late-onset cases.
Dr Vinit Suri, senior neurology consultant, Indraprastha Apollo Hospitals, indicated that young-onset cases represented 5-10% of all dementia diagnoses. He said the affected people were typically aged 45-65 years, occasionally 30-40 years.
"Early detection is vital because symptoms can be confused with stress or mental health issues, delaying diagnosis," said Suri. "Young-onset dementia symptoms include memory loss, planning difficulties, personality changes, language issues, and poor judgement.
Younger patients may show work performance changes, financial management problems, and social interaction difficulties. Some cases present movement or visual-spatial issues, depending on the cause.
Professional assessment is crucial due to symptom overlap with other conditions."
Dr Arun Garg, chairman, neurology and neurosciences, Medanta Medicity, listed the main young-onset dementia causes: "Alzheimer's disease (most common, even in younger individuals), frontotemporal dementia (affecting behaviour and language), vascular dementia (due to stroke or reduced blood flow to the brain), Lewy body dementia, genetic factors (mutations in the APP or PSEN genes).
Secondary causes like traumatic brain injury, infections (like HIV), or autoimmune diseases.
"
While dementia typically appears after age 60, younger people increasingly experience strokes due to smoking, alcohol, hypertension, diabetes, air pollution and sleep apnea, pointed out professor Manjari Tripathi, head, neurology, AIIMS. Multiple strokes can lead to vascular cognitive impairment and vascular dementia, the second most common type after Alzheimer's.
Tripathi recommended a balanced diet rich in vegetables, fruits, sprouts and legumes.
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