First you forget what you had for breakfast, next thing you know you're forgetting your children and grandchildren's names. Your memories of the distant past are the last things you forget. 13 percent of individuals over the age of 65, and 42 percent of people over the age of 85 develop Alzheimer's. Many Alzheimer's patients are constantly disoriented, consistently forgetting where they are or what day or year it is. Alzheimer's occurs when the human brain loses the synapses and cells die in the hippocampus and cerebral cortex. Along with the loss of the synapses, degeneration and death of acetylcholine neurons in the forebrain occurs. Treatment of Alzheimer's consists of medication that will inhibit the breakdown of acetylcholine. Unfortunately, this only slows down the process; it does not cure Alzheimer's. Researchers have discovered that being physically active helps reduce cognitive impairment and Alzheimer's. This disease affects more than just the patient; the families of these patients say their relationships completely change. As the disease progresses, the Alzheimer's patient begins living in their distant past because they are the only memories they have left. Families state that it is difficult being around their loved one who cannot recollect their name.
I wonder how physical activity has enough effect on acetylcholine to have a drastic enough effect on a person's memory. I know that exercising has a great impact on all aspects of a person's life but perhaps there are other things going on as well? For example someone who exercises is more apt to eat healthier and consequentially be able to have higher cognitive function.