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Page: << Prev | 1 | 2 However, there's one caveat -- the researchers found no indication that physical activity at age 40 affected the risk of developing Parkinson's.
The results were expected to be reported Monday at the American Academy of Neurology annual meeting, in Boston. As is often the case with research presented at conferences, the study has not been published in a medical journal or gone through the review process that journals require.
A previous study suggested a link between exercise and Parkinson's in men, but not in women, Thacker said. The new findings show both genders may benefit.
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Still, he cautioned that his study isn't "the final word."
"We can't prove there was some other factor that caused people to be different," he said. "We can just do the best we can.
Thacker said it's still not clear why exercise might influence the development of Parkinson's. One possibility could be that exercise might affect chemicals in the blood that play a role in the development of the disease, he said.
Researchers at the University of Southern California have found evidence suggesting that exercise changes the way neurons release dopamine -- a crucial brain booster -- in mice, said Michael Jakowec, an assistant professor of neurology at the school.
Disruptions in dopamine production have been linked to Parkinson's.
According to Jakowec, both animal studies and brain imaging in humans will help scientists understand the effects of exercise on the brain.
More information
To learn more, visit the Parkinson's Disease Foundation.
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