Exercise can also lead to improvements in spatial memory. As individuals get older, they have a higher chance of developing dementia due to the decrease in volume of their hippocampus. Studies have shown that the size of the hippocampus is larger in adults who exercise regularly. In a study done by Erickson, 2020, he looks at how aerobic exercise can increase the size of the hippocampus. The study consisted of 120 older who were put into a single-blind, randomized controlled trial. In the train they were randomly assigned to a moderate intensity aerobic exercise 3 days a week or toning exercises, which was the control. It resulted that exercise training increased the hippocampus volume by 2%. They also found that increased hippocampus volumes is associated with higher levels of BDNF. Hippocampus volume decreased in the control group. This study suggest that exercise protects against volume loss in the hippocampus, resulting in a higher memory function.