Scientists from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee have found that physical activity can help to protect changes in the brain for individuals who are considered at high-risk to develop Alzheimer’s disease (AD).

While previous evidence indicates that exercise contributes to cognitive function during one’s lifetime, the researchers claim that few studies have been done to consider those who are already predisposed to develop AD.

The scientists compared brain activity during the memory process among four groups of health participants who were all between 65 and 85 years old. All of the subjects’ level of risk was determined by whether or not they carried a particular allele, apolopoprotein E-epsilon4 (APOE-e4).

Among those who were APOE-e4 positive, the group that exercised increased their brain activity in memory-related areas while those who did not participate in physical activities did not experience this change.

J. Carson Smith, one of the study’s investigators, said that the findings suggest “that if you are at genetic risk for AD, the benefits of exercise to your brain function might be even greater than for those who do not have that genetic risk.”

Individuals who develop AD are usually 60 years or older, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.