During the 2008 Alzheimer's Association International Conference on Alzheimer's Disease in Chicago, the results of a new medical study were presented. It seems that early Alzheimer patients who had included more physical activity in their daily routines show less atrophy in certain important memory-related brain areas.

At the same conference, the study brought in by Robarts Research Institute and the University of Western Ontario, represented the first time ever when MRI brain imaging was used for the identification of brain plaque in animals.

The study conducted by Robyn Honea at the University of Kansas Medical Center, also using MRI analysis, has helped point out the link between cardiorespiratory fitness and Alzheimer-induced brain modifications in the hippocampus. In most Alzheimer cases, the hippocampus is among the first brain regions to suffer changes.

Neil Buckholtz, a National Institute on Aging scientist, said that although the new technology shows good potential, "it will take more longitudinal studies before we know what it all means."

In the US, it was estimated that more than five million people are currently affected by Alzheimer's disease; things are expected to get much worse as by 2050, the number could go as high as 16 million.

About one week ago, The Lancet featured the findings of two other Alzheimer related studies. One of them presented the very good results a drug called dimebon has recorded (it has helped in significantly improving some of the condition’s symptoms); the other brought information regarding the failure of the AN1792 experimental vaccine.

As more and more information is continuously being put together, perhaps a cure for this terrible condition will be found soon enough.