Brain Research Foundation to survey cyclists, spectators during Intelligentsia Cup bike event

CHICAGO - July 11, 2013 - PRLog -- CHICAGO, IL – (July 11, 2013) The neuroscience research community is increasingly focused on how exercise throughout one’s lifetime may slow the path to cognitive decline and even Alzheimer’s disease. As part of a new initiative, the Chicago-based Brain Research Foundation (BRF) will administer a survey to cyclists and spectators during the Intelligentsia Cup cycling series, which will take place this month in Chicago and suburban communities. The survey is designed to look at how adults view the relationship between exercise and mental activity. Free pedometers will be distributed to the first 50 attendees who complete the survey.

“Sustaining a simple exercise regimen from young adulthood through our latter years is perhaps the most powerful tool we have to fend off brain disease like Alzheimer’s that debilitate an aging population,” said Terre A. Constantine, Ph.D., Executive Director of BRF.

BRF will conduct its survey in the following neighborhoods and communities (time shown is the start of the first cycling event):

--Crystal Lake, Sunday, July 14th, 9 a.m., Raue Center, 26 N. Williams St.

--Chicago, Thursday, July 18th, 4:40 p.m. (in Beverly-Morgan Park, 107th and Longwood Dr.)

--Elmhurst, Friday, July 19th, 10:50 a.m., Wilder Mansion, 211 South Prospect Ave.

--Lake Bluff, Saturday, July 20th, 10:50 a.m., 113 East Scranton Ave.

--St. Charles, Sunday, July 21st, 8:50 a.m., Sammy’s Bike Shop, 602 North 1st St.

The survey will assist BRF in its goal to build public awareness about how regular exercise positively impacts the brain and may delay onset of Alzheimer’s disease and dementia. According to the Behavioral Brain Research journal, studies show that exercise has been associated with increases in overall brain volume, preserved gray matter density, and may potentially contribute to increased density in brain white matter.  

BRF has funded numerous programs that provide education around neurological disorders. BRF has teamed with the Prairie State Cycling Series, organizers of the Intelligentsia Cup, in an effort to promote this initiative as well as make bike riders of all ages safer by educating and encouraging proper helmet usage. The survey is made possible in part through a generous contribution from GTL Industries / Illinois River Energy.

About the Brain Research Foundation

The Brain Research Foundation supports cutting edge neuroscience research that will lead to novel treatments and prevention of all neurological diseases in children and adults. We deliver the commitment through research grants, which provide initial funding for innovative projects, as well as educational programs for researchers and the general public.

For more information, please visit our website http://www.thebrf.org (http://www.prlog.org/pub/). You can friend us on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/brainresearchfoundation (http://www.prlog.org/pub/) and follow us on twitter at http://twitter.com/thebrf (http://www.prlog.org/pub/).

For more information about the Intelligentsia Cup and upcoming cycling series events, please visit http://www.prairiestatecyclingseries.com/schedule.php .