Evidence map›Paper›PMID 41811555›Full record

ArticleBrain imaging and behavior2026

Is physical fitness associated with brain structure and function in Parkinson's disease?

Adrian R Corfitsen, Mikkel K E Nygaard, Simon F Eskildsen, Ulrik Dalgas, Martin Langeskov-Christensen

Abstract read
In one paragraph

Article in Brain imaging and behavior, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
0citing papers in PubMed
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1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

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Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

0 citing papers in PubMed.

No citing paper in PubMed yet.

4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

5 authors.

Adrian R CorfitsenExercise Biology, Department of Public Health, Aarhus University, Dalgas Avenue 4, 8000, Aarhus C, Denmark.
Mikkel K E NygaardCenter of Functionally Integrative Neuroscience, Department of Clinical Medicine, Aarhus University, Universitetsbyen 3, 8000, Aarhus C, Denmark.
Simon F EskildsenCenter of Functionally Integrative Neuroscience, Department of Clinical Medicine, Aarhus University, Universitetsbyen 3, 8000, Aarhus C, Denmark.
Ulrik DalgasExercise Biology, Department of Public Health, Aarhus University, Dalgas Avenue 4, 8000, Aarhus C, Denmark.
Martin Langeskov-ChristensenDepartment of Neurology, Viborg Regional Hospital, Heibergs Alle 2, 8800, Viborg, Denmark. malacr@rm.dk.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

We investigated associations between physical fitness (cardiorespiratory fitness (VO2max), peak muscle power (Pmax)) and brain structure (magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) measures) and function (cognition) in people with Parkinson’s disease (pwPD). Simple and multiple linear regression analyses were performed using quantitative susceptibility mapping, diffusion imaging, and volumetric MRI data from 105 pwPD. Simple regression analyses showed significant positive associations between VO2max/Pmax and whole-brain volume (r2 = 0.11/0.12), the Symbol Digit Modalities Test (SDMT) (r2 = 0.18/0.21), the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) (r2 = 0.12/0.12) as well as volume of white and gray matter structures (total white/gray matter, putamen, caudate, pallidus, thalamus). When adjusted for age and sex, associations between VO2max and cognition (SDMT, MoCA) and between Pmax and total white matter volume, pallidus volume, and cognition (SDMT) remained significant. Physical fitness was weakly to moderately associated with cognitive function and some MRI markers of neurodegeneration in pwPD. These exploratory findings further support the potential neuroprotective effect of exercise in pwPD and may aid in selecting outcomes in future trials evaluating the neuroprotective effects of exercise.

Indexed as

BrainParkinson DiseasePhysical FitnessAgedCardiorespiratory FitnessCognitionFemaleGray MatterHumansMagnetic Resonance ImagingMaleMiddle AgedWhite MatterExercise therapyMagnetic resonance imagingNeurodegenerationParkinson’s disease

Identifiers

PMID41811555
PMCPMC12979291

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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.