Abstract
Evaluation of: Willey JZ, Moon YP, Paik MC et al. Lower prevalence of silent brain infarcts in the physically active: the Northern Manhattan Study. Neurology 76(24), 2112–2118 (2011). Physical inactivity is a risk factor for stroke. This population-based cohort study investigates the risk for subclinical brain infarction and chronic white matter changes measured by MRI in individuals that perform different levels of activity on a regular basis. The study finds the risk for infarction, but not for white matter changes, to be significantly reduced in active subjects independent of classical risk factors. Activity, however, needs to be vigorous to be effective. The study supports the role of inactivity as an independent cerebrovascular risk factor. Physicians and healthcare providers should encourage their elderly patients to remain physically active.
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Financial & competing interests disclosure
AR Luft is a member of the scientific advisory board of Hocoma AG, Switzerland. The company‘s products are not discussed or mentioned in the manuscript. The author has no other relevant affiliations or financial involvement with any organization or entity with a financial interest in or financial conflict with the subject matter or materials discussed in the manuscript apart from those disclosed.
No writing assistance was utilized in the production of this manuscript.