Observational analysis shows aerobic fitness improves brain volumes in coronary artery disease patients, highlighting the role of weight management.
Motivation: The effects of cardiorespiratory fitness and body mass index (BMI) on brain health in individuals with coronary artery disease (CAD) remains poorly understood. Goal(s): Therefore, the objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of cardiorespiratory fitness and BMI on white matter hyperintensities, gray matter and white matter volumes in patients with CAD. Approach: Brain volumes were measured through voxel-based morphometry and white matter hyperintensities were segmented using a validated automated classifier. Results: Overall, cardiorespiratory fitness in patients with CAD was positively associated with gray matter volumes, while higher BMI was linked with lower gray and white matter volumes. Impact: These findings support the importance of exercise and weight management in individuals with coronary artery disease to maintain brain health, especially in the middle cerebral arterial territory.
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Potvin-Jutras et al. (2025) studied this question.
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