Long-term aerobic exercise prevents age-related brain changes

A study of the brains of mice shows that structural deterioration associated with old age can be prevented by long-term aerobic exercise starting in mid-life, according to new research. Structural changes that make the blood-brain barrier leaky and result in inflammation of brain tissues in old mice can be mitigated by allowing the animals to run regularly, providing a potential explanation for the beneficial effects of exercise on dementia in humans.