Older women at risk for Alzheimer's disease may benefit from yoga

Researchers at UCLA Semel Institute for Neuroscience and Human Behavior, using a type of MRI that measures activity in regions and subregions of the brain, found that Kundalini yoga, which combines movement and meditation and focuses on breathing, mantra recitation and mental visualization, increased connectivity in an area of the brain that can be impacted by stress and is associated with memory decline. Results appear early online in the Journal of Alzheimer’s Disease.

Kundalini yoga, a form of yoga that focuses on breathing, meditation, and mental visualization, appeared beneficial for older women who had risk factors for Alzheimer’s disease and concerns about episodes of memory decline, according to a UCLA Health study.

The study included 22 participants who were part of a larger randomized controlled trial studying yoga’s effects on Alzheimer’s risk.

Gfx-Mean age among the 11 yoga participants was about 61; it was about 65 in the MET group

All had a self-reported decline in memory function during the previous year and one or more cardiovascular risk factors, which can also increase risk for Alzheimer’s disease. These included plaque buildup in arteries, recent heart attack, diabetes, and treatment for high blood pressure or high cholesterol.

Gfx- Both the yoga and MET groups had a 60-minute, in-person training session each week for 12 weeks

The programs also included daily homework or practice sessions. The Kundalini yoga (KY) training was supported with at-home practice of another brief meditative form of yoga, Kirtan Kriya (KK). These types of yoga engage a variety of senses simultaneously and have a chanting component that may improve respiratory, cardiovascular and autonomic nervous system functions, according to previous studies.

Reference: Older women at risk for Alzheimer’s disease may benefit from yoga; Journal of Alzheimer s Disease, DOI: 10.3233/JAD-221159.