EXERCISE BOOSTS COGNITIVE FUNCTION

The team of Duke University Medical Center researchers who demonstrated
in late 1999 that aerobic exercise is just as effective as medication in
treating major depression has now reported that the exercise also
appears to improve the cognitive abilities of these patients.

The researchers followed 156 patients between the ages of 50 and 77 who
had been diagnosed with major depressive disorder (MDD). They were
randomly assigned to one of three groups: exercise (stationary bicycle
or walking for 30 minutes three times a week), sertaline (Zoloft®), or a
combination of both treatments.

The researchers found significant improvements in the higher mental
processes of memory and the so-called executive functions, which include
planning, organization and the ability to mentally juggle different
intellectual tasks at the same time. These improvements surpassed what
would be expected after the depression had lifted, the researchers said.

Duke University January 17, 2001

-----

for more, visit www.craiganderson.net