Neuroimage October 2021 PMID 34174392

White matter plasticity in healthy older adults: The effects of aerobic exercise.

Andrea Mendez Colmenares, Michelle W Voss, Jason Fanning, Elizabeth A Salerno, Neha P Gothe, Michael L Thomas, Edward McAuley, Arthur F Kramer, Agnieszka Z Burzynska

Mentions

131
Peak: 38 in Jul 2021
across 5 sources since Jun 2021

Extended reach

981,896
potential audience

Total likes

254

Video views

18,521

Mentions per month

Jun 2021 – Mar 2025

Where it's discussed

  • News75 articles
  • X / Twitter44 posts
  • Facebook5 posts
  • Blogs5 articles
  • YouTube2 videos

AI synopsis

What people are saying

Several discussions highlight specific insights from the research, such as comparing the effects of walking, stretching, and dancing on white matter health. Phrases like 'Keep movin’' and references to the cognitive benefits signify an enthusiastic tone, signaling the perceived importance of staying active to preserve brain function.

AgreementModerate agreement

Most discussions reflect a positive reception of the article's findings, with users largely supporting the idea that aerobic exercise benefits white matter.

InterestHigh interest

There is a high level of curiosity around the implications of the study, especially regarding how these exercises impact brain health in older adults.

EngagementModerate engagement

While some posts showed surface-level appreciation, a few referenced details like comparisons between different forms of exercise, indicating moderate engagement.

ImpactHigh impact

The sentiment indicates that many believe the research could significantly influence approaches to maintaining cognitive health.

Abstract in brief

  • White matter deterioration is linked to cognitive decline in aging and Alzheimer's, making it important to find ways to slow this process.
  • Recent trials indicate that aerobic walking and dance over six months positively impact white matter integrity in older adults, especially in late-myelinating regions.
  • Improvements in white matter signal were associated with better memory performance, suggesting that these regions can still adapt through aerobic exercise, with T1w/T2w signal changes potentially being useful for studying white matter health.

Top posts

Most liked on X and Bluesky
Norman Swan
@normanswan · X

Small study comparing walking, dancing and stretching. Keep movin’. White matter plasticity in healthy older adults: The effects of aerobi... https://t.co/VdF5ghWMZS

Jul 14, 2021 · 95 likes · 20 shares · 153,763 followers View post →
Brian Roemmele
@BrianRoemmele · X

“White matter plasticity in healthy older adults: The effects of aerobic exercise” Walk and talk and you will get smarter. #VoiceFirst where have you heard this before about 25 years ago? https://t.co/vRv0qEVIOm

Jul 14, 2021 · 42 likes · 5 shares · 398,121 followers View post →
WHO Collaborating Center for Frailty
@WHOCenterFrailt · X

Slowing down cognitive impairment ? : "White matter plasticity in healthy older adults: The effects of aerobi... " https://t.co/RFtDdKvvu0 @brunovellas @SoutoPhilipe

Jul 27, 2021 · 6 likes · 5 shares · 3,196 followers View post →
Pamela Peeke, MD MPH
@PamPeekeMD · X

Study: https://t.co/hVtdLPJkVz Healthy gray matter needs active brain to decrease dementia. Now new research showing white matter important too, and increases w physical activity esp walking regularly.

Jul 15, 2021 · 4 likes · 21,931 followers View post →
Aga Burzynska
@agaburza · X

Our new study showing group-level effects of aerobic exercise (walking&dance) on white matter in older adults: https://t.co/t651y8WMn8

Jun 30, 2021 · 4 likes · 218 followers View post →
Agingdoc
@agingdoc1 · X

White matter plasticity in healthy older adults: The effects of aerobic exercise https://t.co/wxDRsSCwlN

Jul 26, 2021 · 3 likes · 41,887 followers View post →

All mentions

Walking Improves Brain Health in Older Adults

Did you know that walking can enhance your brain's growth and robustness? Recent findings indicate that aerobic exercise, specifically walking, positively impacts white matter integrity in older adults. This can lead to…

Deva Mantovani · Nov 22, 2024 24 views
Nutrition Harmony
@Nut_harmony25 · X

مما يحسّن الوظائف الإدراكية ويقلل التدهور المعرفي المرتبط بالعمر. وايضاً ، المشي يحسّن تدفق الدم للدماغ، يقلّل التوتر، ويعزز الصفاء الذهني، مما يثبت دوره في الحفاظ على صحة الدماغ وتقوية الذاكرة مع التقدم في العمر. المصدر : https://t.co/7urPQEa2j5

Mar 4, 2025 · 6 followers View post →
Joyce Shulman
@joycershulman · X

White matter is critical to brain health and cognitive function. A study compared the impact of walking, stretching and dancing. Walking had the greatest impact on the health of the brains' white matter. https://t.co/lJStZmW5Ta #walkingfactwednesday #99walks

Feb 9, 2022 · 1 like · 16,525 followers View post →
Piotr Ślifirczyk
@PiotrSlifirczyk · X

Ruch... Ruch... Ruch... Piwo ;).... Plastyczność istoty białej u zdrowych osób starszych: skutki ćwiczeń aerobowych https://t.co/ZsIMF56A8W https://t.co/pjQDqxUN8u

Aug 14, 2021 · 24 followers View post →
Piotr Ślifirczyk
@PiotrSlifirczyk · X

Ruch... Ruch... Ruch... Piwo ;) https://t.co/3vnKURa42j https://t.co/eOfkGJ7tMr

Aug 14, 2021 · 24 followers View post →
Alex Gaber
@AlexGaber · X

White matter plasticity in healthy older adults: The effects of aerobic exercise /cc @trailrunnermag #trailrunning https://t.co/maT4Q1yLYg

Aug 2, 2021 · 1,905 followers View post →
Johns Hopkins Memory & Aging
@JH_Memory_Aging · X

RT @WHOCenterFrailt: Slowing down cognitive impairment ? : "White matter plasticity in healthy older adults: The effects of aerobi... " htt…

Jul 29, 2021 · 5 shares · 2,897 followers View post →
Johns Hopkins Frailty Science #FrailtyFighter
@FrailtyScience · X

RT @WHOCenterFrailt: Slowing down cognitive impairment ? : "White matter plasticity in healthy older adults: The effects of aerobi... " htt…

Jul 29, 2021 · 5 shares · 2,270 followers View post →
Focus on Ageing Well in Cornwall
@frailtycft · X

RT @WHOCenterFrailt: Slowing down cognitive impairment ? : "White matter plasticity in healthy older adults: The effects of aerobi... " htt…

Jul 27, 2021 · 5 shares · 369 followers View post →
Blanca Laffon
@LaffonBlanca · X

RT @WHOCenterFrailt: Slowing down cognitive impairment ? : "White matter plasticity in healthy older adults: The effects of aerobi... " htt…

Jul 27, 2021 · 5 shares · 345 followers View post →
Laura Lorenzo-López
@LauraLorenzoLop · X

RT @WHOCenterFrailt: Slowing down cognitive impairment ? : "White matter plasticity in healthy older adults: The effects of aerobi... " htt…

Jul 27, 2021 · 5 shares · 70 followers View post →
OMS Centre Collaborateur pour la Fragilité
@CentreOMSfragil · X

Ralentir les troubles cognitifs ? : "White matter plasticity in healthy older adults: The effects of aerobi... " https://t.co/47gmB0o6su @brunovellas @SoutoPhilipe

Jul 27, 2021 · 1 like · 576 followers View post →
WHO Collaborating Center for Frailty
@WHOCenterFrailt · X

Slowing down cognitive impairment ? : "White matter plasticity in healthy older adults: The effects of aerobi... " https://t.co/RFtDdKvvu0 @brunovellas @SoutoPhilipe

Jul 27, 2021 · 6 likes · 5 shares · 3,196 followers View post →
Agingdoc
@agingdoc1 · X

White matter plasticity in healthy older adults: The effects of aerobic exercise https://t.co/wxDRsSCwlN

Jul 26, 2021 · 3 likes · 41,887 followers View post →
Anathemata
@Faenerator · X

https://t.co/oExIKtcPqf White matter plasticity in healthy older adults: The effects of aerobic exercise https://t.co/6LrvjEHS3a

Jul 26, 2021 · 196 followers View post →
Susan
@Susan29191404 · X

RT @normanswan: Small study comparing walking, dancing and stretching. Keep movin’. White matter plasticity in healthy older adults: The ef…

Jul 22, 2021 · 20 shares · 1,135 followers View post →
Stella deVulder
@stelladevulder · X

RT @normanswan: Small study comparing walking, dancing and stretching. Keep movin’. White matter plasticity in healthy older adults: The ef…

Jul 21, 2021 · 20 shares · 1,857 followers View post →
Raghbir 18432168
@R18432168 · X

RT @normanswan: Small study comparing walking, dancing and stretching. Keep movin’. White matter plasticity in healthy older adults: The ef…

Jul 21, 2021 · 20 shares · 43 followers View post →
kesokoji
@kesokoji · X

RT @normanswan: Small study comparing walking, dancing and stretching. Keep movin’. White matter plasticity in healthy older adults: The ef…

Jul 19, 2021 · 20 shares · 2,126 followers View post →
Bob Roble
@SportsTechieNET · X

White matter plasticity in healthy older adults: The effects of aerobic exercise https://t.co/hMId0ILFPU

Jul 18, 2021 · 9,150 followers View post →
Chris McGale
@MARATHONFITSYS · X

White matter plasticity in healthy older adults: The effects of aerobic exercise - ScienceDirect https://t.co/DAdpHkQ7RF

Jul 18, 2021 · 204 followers View post →
What R U doing Dave
@mymindisgoinnng · X

RT @normanswan: Small study comparing walking, dancing and stretching. Keep movin’. White matter plasticity in healthy older adults: The ef…

Jul 17, 2021 · 20 shares · 991 followers View post →
K10✨
@Kristennetten · X

RT @BrianRoemmele: “White matter plasticity in healthy older adults: The effects of aerobic exercise” Walk and talk and you will get smart…

Jul 17, 2021 · 5 shares · 190,031 followers View post →
Ganva
@Ganva8 · X

RT @normanswan: Small study comparing walking, dancing and stretching. Keep movin’. White matter plasticity in healthy older adults: The ef…

Jul 15, 2021 · 20 shares · 8 followers View post →
Pamela Peeke, MD MPH
@PamPeekeMD · X

Study: https://t.co/hVtdLPJkVz Healthy gray matter needs active brain to decrease dementia. Now new research showing white matter important too, and increases w physical activity esp walking regularly.

Jul 15, 2021 · 4 likes · 21,931 followers View post →
David
@david89293299 · X

RT @normanswan: Small study comparing walking, dancing and stretching. Keep movin’. White matter plasticity in healthy older adults: The ef…

Jul 15, 2021 · 20 shares · 2,423 followers View post →
Salah
@Imsalah2 · X

RT @BrianRoemmele: “White matter plasticity in healthy older adults: The effects of aerobic exercise” Walk and talk and you will get smart…

Jul 15, 2021 · 5 shares · 150 followers View post →
kimworldwide
@kimworldwide · X

RT @normanswan: Small study comparing walking, dancing and stretching. Keep movin’. White matter plasticity in healthy older adults: The ef…

Jul 15, 2021 · 20 shares · 2,279 followers View post →
Scotty
@ComBarca · X

RT @normanswan: Small study comparing walking, dancing and stretching. Keep movin’. White matter plasticity in healthy older adults: The ef…

Jul 14, 2021 · 20 shares · 2,063 followers View post →
little Pip squeak
@earthiswarming · X

RT @normanswan: Small study comparing walking, dancing and stretching. Keep movin’. White matter plasticity in healthy older adults: The ef…

Jul 14, 2021 · 20 shares · 555 followers View post →
Melanie MacSmiley
@MacSmiley · X

RT @BrianRoemmele: “White matter plasticity in healthy older adults: The effects of aerobic exercise” Walk and talk and you will get smart…

Jul 14, 2021 · 5 shares · 1,027 followers View post →
JennyKennedy101
@JennyKennedy101 · X

RT @normanswan: Small study comparing walking, dancing and stretching. Keep movin’. White matter plasticity in healthy older adults: The ef…

Jul 14, 2021 · 20 shares · 2,007 followers View post →
Chloe from Clovelly AKA KIRILLY FROM KIRRIBILLI
@ChloefromC · X

RT @normanswan: Small study comparing walking, dancing and stretching. Keep movin’. White matter plasticity in healthy older adults: The ef…

Jul 14, 2021 · 20 shares · 1,932 followers View post →
Jen McKenzie
@jentmzie · X

RT @normanswan: Small study comparing walking, dancing and stretching. Keep movin’. White matter plasticity in healthy older adults: The ef…

Jul 14, 2021 · 20 shares · 351 followers View post →
coonavass
@coonavass · X

RT @normanswan: Small study comparing walking, dancing and stretching. Keep movin’. White matter plasticity in healthy older adults: The ef…

Jul 14, 2021 · 20 shares · 4,769 followers View post →
JASWINDER
@JASWIND87949482 · X

RT @normanswan: Small study comparing walking, dancing and stretching. Keep movin’. White matter plasticity in healthy older adults: The ef…

Jul 14, 2021 · 20 shares · 1,073 followers View post →
barbaramahle23
@barbaramahle23 · X

RT @normanswan: Small study comparing walking, dancing and stretching. Keep movin’. White matter plasticity in healthy older adults: The ef…

Jul 14, 2021 · 20 shares · 1,214 followers View post →
korstraw
@korstraw · X

RT @normanswan: Small study comparing walking, dancing and stretching. Keep movin’. White matter plasticity in healthy older adults: The ef…

Jul 14, 2021 · 20 shares · 3,954 followers View post →
grace pettigrew
@broomstick33 · X

RT @normanswan: Small study comparing walking, dancing and stretching. Keep movin’. White matter plasticity in healthy older adults: The ef…

Jul 14, 2021 · 20 shares · 6,780 followers View post →
GN
@g_n_g_g · X

RT @normanswan: Small study comparing walking, dancing and stretching. Keep movin’. White matter plasticity in healthy older adults: The ef…

Jul 14, 2021 · 20 shares · 90 followers View post →
Norman Swan
@normanswan · X

Small study comparing walking, dancing and stretching. Keep movin’. White matter plasticity in healthy older adults: The effects of aerobi... https://t.co/VdF5ghWMZS

Jul 14, 2021 · 95 likes · 20 shares · 153,763 followers View post →
John Nosta
@JohnNosta · X

RT @BrianRoemmele: “White matter plasticity in healthy older adults: The effects of aerobic exercise” Walk and talk and you will get smart…

Jul 14, 2021 · 5 shares · 81,400 followers View post →
Ma Bell Isn't Home
@BellSailing · X

RT @BrianRoemmele: “White matter plasticity in healthy older adults: The effects of aerobic exercise” Walk and talk and you will get smart…

Jul 14, 2021 · 5 shares · 521 followers View post →
Brian Roemmele
@BrianRoemmele · X

“White matter plasticity in healthy older adults: The effects of aerobic exercise” Walk and talk and you will get smarter. #VoiceFirst where have you heard this before about 25 years ago? https://t.co/vRv0qEVIOm

Jul 14, 2021 · 42 likes · 5 shares · 398,121 followers View post →
Aga Burzynska
@agaburza · X

Our new study showing group-level effects of aerobic exercise (walking&dance) on white matter in older adults: https://t.co/t651y8WMn8

Jun 30, 2021 · 4 likes · 218 followers View post →