Results of a study examining the link between walking and the health of dementia patients, while not conclusive, appear promising. Or at least worthy of our attention.

In today's Journal of the American Medical Association, Australian researchers report older patients who walk briskly score slightly better on tests than idle counterparts with similar memory problems. The improvement was modest, but noticeable.

"To our knowledge, this is the first randomized clinical trial being published" on exercise and brain function in older adults with problems, said the lead author Dr. Nicola Lautenschlager of the University of Melbourne.

While the authors were encouraged, they emphasized the study does not prove that brisk walking will reduce the risk of dementia or Alzheimer's disease, something an estimated 4.5 million Americans suffer from.

But the study follows on the heels of another study reported in the International Journal of Sports Medicine. In the June issue, a Korean research team suggested "regular exercise improves the mental and physical health in senile dementia," according to Dr. Yi-Sub Kwak.

And Dr. Ron Petersen of the Alzheimer's Association said he will use the results of the Australian study when discussing potential benefits of exercise with patients.

We don't link these two studies together for any reason other than to encourage our aging population to exercise. Unless an individual has physical impairments that would be aggravated by strenuous activity, we see no harm in suggesting older Americans to get more active. In fact, there might be long-term mental benefits to be gained as well. Time will tell if science determines an actual causal link.

Editorial by Patrick Lowry

plowry@dailynews.net