Mind-Body Interventions as Modulators of Neural Connectivity and Cognition in Individuals at Risk for Alzheimer's Disease: A Systematic Review.
Annals of Neurosciences May 31, 2026 Dwivedi Krishna, Avinash Chandra Pandey, Saurav Nilesh et al.
Alzheimer's disease accounts for 60%-70% of dementia cases, and current drugs offer limited relief. This systematic review of randomized controlled trials found that yoga, meditation, and related mind-body practices improved memory, attention, executive functions, mood, and quality of life in people with normal cognition, mild cognitive impairment, or subjective memory decline. Neurobiological benefits included preserved hippocampal volume, better functional connectivity, higher brain-derived neurotrophic factor, and lower neuroinflammation markers. The authors conclude these interventions show promise as complementary approaches but note that small samples and short durations limit the evidence, calling for larger long-term trials.