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Regular exercise slows neurodegeneration in early Parkinson's disease
Last reviewed: 09.08.2025
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Physical activity has long been seen as a way to ease symptoms of Parkinson's disease (PD). New work in Neurology shows a more profound effect: in people with early PD, regular exercise is associated with slower cortical thinning and volume loss in limbic structures, which is associated with less decline in memory and attention.
Research methods
The study was a longitudinal observational cohort using Parkinson's Progression Markers Initiative (PPMI) data. It included 120 patients with early PD who had their regular physical activity levels assessed repeatedly and serial MRI scans (at least two time points) for approximately 4 years. Cortical thickness trajectories (especially parietotemporal areas) and hippocampal and amygdala volumes were analyzed, and whether these changes mediated the relationship between activity and cognitive decline (memory, attention) were tested.
Key Results
- Higher mean levels of regular physical activity over the course of the study were associated with slower thinning in parietotemporal regions (lateral temporal cortex, fusiform gyrus, parahippocampal gyrus, inferior parietal cortex).
- A slower loss of volume in the hippocampus and amygdala was noted.
- Mediator analysis: Slower structural changes in these areas partly explain the association between physical activity and slower decline in memory and attention.
Interpretation and clinical conclusions
The data support the idea that physical activity is not only a symptom support but also a course-modifying factor in early stages of PD, at least with respect to cognitively relevant brain networks. In practical terms, this means:
- emphasize early initiation and maintenance of regular activity (aerobic/mixed programs) as early as diagnosis;
- monitor cognitive functions and, if possible, neuroimaging markers in active and less active patients;
- Integrate physical therapy and exercise into the standard care of early PD along with medications.
- Important: observational design ⇒ causality not proven; activity is partly self-reported, residual confounding factors (age, comorbidities, therapy) are possible. Nevertheless, the consistency of structural and cognitive signals increases confidence in the results.
Authors' comments
The authors emphasize that exercise may affect not only how you feel in the here and now, but also how quickly brain changes progress in areas critical for memory and attention in PD. A press release from the American Academy of Neurology also emphasizes that more active patients showed slower brain changes, which supports recommendations to encourage regular activity in people with early PD.