Pavel Yanev, MD, PhD

2026 Robert Katzman, MD Next Generation Research Grant in Alzheimer’s and Dementia

Why does exercise help prevent dementia in some people, but not others?

Institution: University of Kentucky

Project Summary: Regular physical exercise (PEx) is widely promoted as a low-cost, accessible way to preserve brain health and reduce the risk of Alzheimer’s disease, yet many healthy older adults show little cognitive benefit from it. This project addresses a critical gap: understanding why exercise works for some individuals but not for others.

Using highly detailed data from a large study of older adults at elevated risk for Alzheimer’s disease, Dr. Yanev’s research will investigate how subtle differences in brain networks and genetics influence an individual’s responsiveness to exercise. By integrating advanced neuroimaging, genetic analysis, and biological indicators, this research aims to create a clinically meaningful “PEx Profile” that predicts who is most likely to benefit from exercise-based dementia prevention strategies.

The implications are far-reaching: clinicians could tailor interventions based on a person’s unique biology, researchers could design more targeted clinical trials, and public health programs could shift toward precision prevention. Dr. Yanev’s work lays the foundation for a future in which exercise recommendations for Alzheimer’s prevention are personalized, data driven, and maximally effective.

This research is funded by the Alzheimer’s Association and the American Brain Foundation.