Association of 24 h-movement behaviors with cerebral and hippocampal amyloid beta levels and executive function in cognitively normal older adults: a compositional data analysis from the AGUEDA trial

Objectives: This study investigated the associations between movement behaviors (physical activity, sedentary behavior, and sleep duration), global and hippocampal amyloid beta levels, and executive function in cognitively normal older adults.

Design: Cross-sectional analysis using data from the Active Gains in brain Using Exercise During Aging study, including 86 participants (mean age 71.51 years, 57% female).

Methods: Movement behaviors were assessed using a wrist-worn accelerometer over a 9-day. Amyloid beta levels were quantified via positron emission tomography, and executive function was assessed using validated cognitive tests (e.g., Trail Making Test, Digit Symbol Substitution Test, Spatial Working Memory test, and Dimensional Change Card Sort test). Compositional data analysis and multiple linear regression models were used to examine associations, adjusting for age, sex, education, and APOEε4 genotype status.

Results: No significant associations emerged between any movement behaviors and total cerebral amyloid beta levels or executive function (all p > 0.05). However, higher moderate-to-vigorous physical activity was significantly associated with lower hippocampal amyloid levels in males (β = -0.039, p = 0.010), but not in females (β = 0.004, p = 0.741) (Moderate-to-vigorous physical activity × sex interaction p = 0.017).

Conclusions: Movement behaviors were not associated with global amyloid levels or executive function. However, higher moderate-to-vigorous physical activity may be protective against hippocampal amyloid levels in older males. Further research is needed to confirm these findings and explore potential sex differences. These results underscore the importance of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity in brain health and suggest avenues for future research on the role of movement behaviors in amyloid burden.