A new study looked at associations of physical activity and time spent sitting on brain thickness and found sedentary behavior, but not physical activity, was associated with less thickness in brain regions that are essential to memory function.

Sedentary behavior may have negative effects on brain health by decreasing neurogenesis, synaptic plasticity, neurotrophin production, angiogenesis, and by increasing inflammation. Additionally, sedentary behavior is also associated with increased cardiovascular and metabolic risk factors, such as diabetes, hypertension, and obesity which may also have a negative impact on brain health.