Exercise as a Tool to Protect Brain Health in Parkinson’s Disease
MOVE-BRAIN-PD: A new European project involving the Department of Experimental Neurodegeneration, University Medical Center Göttingen, explores how physical activity supports cognitive function in Parkinson’s disease. The project is centrally led by the Fondazione Gemelli IRCCS and Università Cattolica, in Rome.
Göttingen, October 22, 2025 – Around one in four people with Parkinson’s disease experience mild cognitive impairment even in the early stages of the condition. In many of these individuals, cognitive symptoms can gradually worsen over time, leading to dementia. While no therapies have yet proven effective in preventing this progression, growing evidence suggests that lifestyle
factors — such as regular physical activity, social engagement, and mentally stimulating activities — can significantly influence how the brain ages. In this context, exercise can truly act as a form of medicine for the mind.
