Neuroimaging Study of Exercise and Memory Function

NCT02057354 | Completed

• 2 other identifiers: H-32635R00AG036845
• Study Type: interventional
• Target: 190
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief Summary

The investigators are examining the effects of exercise and cardiovascular fitness on cognitive processes, brain function, and the amount of several proteins in the blood. These proteins include a hormone called cortisol, also known as the "stress hormone," and a growth factor called "brain-derived neurotrophic factor" (BDNF). The "stress hormone" cortisol is produced by the adrenal glands. Stress, exercise, obesity, and other factors may influence cortisol levels. BDNF is a protein that promotes the health of nerve cells in the brain and in the body. It plays a role in the growth, maturation, and maintenance of these cells. The amount of this protein in blood samples is therefore an indicator of healthy nerve cell function. Here, the investigators are investigating if exercise improves brain function by changing BDNF levels. Participation in this research study will take approximately 4 months. During this time, participants will make four initial study visits. The first visit is for informed consent and screening, the second and third visits are for baseline fitness testing, and the fourth visit is for a blood draw, cognitive testing, and a functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging (fMRI) exam. Functional MRI is a brain imaging technique that uses a magnetic field to "take pictures" of the brain while a person performs a given task. It will take up to approximately three weeks to complete these initial four study visits. Following the four initial study visits, the exercise-training program will begin. Participants will be randomized to one of two training programs: an aerobic exercise program and a non-aerobic exercise program consisting of strengthening, balance and stretching exercises. The exercise training program will last 12 weeks. There will be three one-hour exercise sessions per week. After completion of the exercise-training program, participants will attend three follow-up study visits. The first two follow-up visits are for fitness testing. The third and final follow-up visit is for a blood draw, cognitive testing, and an MRI exam.

Conditions

Aging

Keywords

Brain; Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor; Brain Mapping; Cognition; Exercise; Hippocampus; Hydrocortisone; Learning; Memory; Magnetic Resonance Imaging; Nerve Growth Factors; Neuroimaging; Physical Endurance; Physical Fitness; Resistance Training; Walking

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (3)

• MRI

  Measurement of brain activity during task performance and measurement of change in regional brain volumes.

  1.5 to 2 hours each at Visits 4 and 43

• Serum BDNF level

  Fasting blood draw on same day of MRI to measure change in serum BDNF from baseline to follow-up

  5 minutes each at Visits 4 and 43

• Memory test performance

  Participants will perform recognition memory tests during and after functional MRI. Measurements include baseline-to-follow-up change in reaction times and accuracy.

  1.5 to 2 hours each at Visits 4 and 43

Secondary Outcomes (1)

• Aerobic capacity and muscle strength

  80 min each at Visits 2, 3, 41 and 42

Other Outcomes (4)

• Blood cortisol levels

  5 min each at Visits 4 and 43

• Anthropometric measurements

  10 minutes each during Visits 2 and 41

• Blood serum levels of other neurotrophins

  5 min each at Visit 4 and 43

Study Arms (2)

Healthy Sedentary Young Adults

ACTIVE COMPARATOR

Participants 18-35 years of age will be randomized to either aerobic or non-aerobic exercise training.

Behavioral: Aerobic Exercise; Behavioral: Non-Aerobic Exercise

Healthy Sedentary Older Adults

EXPERIMENTAL

Participants 55-85 years of age will be randomized to either aerobic or non-aerobic exercise training.

Behavioral: Aerobic Exercise; Behavioral: Non-Aerobic Exercise

Interventions

Aerobic Exercise BEHAVIORAL

The goal of the aerobic exercise training is to increase aerobic endurance. Walking on treadmill at moderate intensity with grade adjusted. Exercise tailored to individual ability level.

Also known as: Endurance Training

Healthy Sedentary Older Adults; Healthy Sedentary Young Adults

Non-Aerobic Exercise BEHAVIORAL

The goal of this training is to improve overall muscle strength, balance and flexibility. Participants will do strength, balance and stretching exercises. Exercises tailored to individual ability level.

Also known as: Strength, balance, stretching

Healthy Sedentary Older Adults; Healthy Sedentary Young Adults

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 18 Years - 85 Years
• Sex: all
• Healthy Volunteers: Yes
• Age Groups: Adult (18-64), Older Adult (65+)

You may qualify if:

• Non-smoking
• Age between 18-35 years or between 55-85 years
• Sedentary status (physically inactive)
• Generally healthy
• Native-English speaker

You may not qualify if:

• Diagnosis of severe anemia
• Past or present condition that affect cognitive functioning:
• learning disability
• neurological disorders or conditions (movement disorder, history of head trauma or stroke, epilepsy, etc.)
• psychiatric disorders or conditions (depression, anxiety disorder, etc.)
• Poor vision that cannot be corrected with glasses or contact lenses
• Presence of an infection
• Diagnosis of kidney failure
• Diagnosis of liver disease
• Diagnosis of thyrotoxicosis/hyperthyroidism
• Diagnosis of cancer
• Past or present conditions that are counter indicators for participation in cardio-respiratory fitness assessment and physical exercise:
• heart (e.g. heart attack, arrhythmias, etc.)
• circulatory (e.g. uncontrolled hypertension, high cholesterol, etc.)
• respiratory conditions (e.g., asthma or lung conditions, such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, acute bronchitis, acute common cold, lung cancer, pneumonia, etc.)

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Boston University: lead
• National Institute on Aging (NIA): collaborator

Study Sites (1)

Boston University School of Medicine

Boston, Massachusetts, 02118, United States

Location

Related Publications (2)

• Kern KL, Storer TW, Schon K. Cardiorespiratory fitness, hippocampal subfield volumes, and mnemonic discrimination task performance in aging. Hum Brain Mapp. 2021 Mar;42(4):871-892. doi: 10.1002/hbm.25259. Epub 2020 Dec 16.

  PMID: 33325614 DERIVED

• Nauer RK, Dunne MF, Stern CE, Storer TW, Schon K. Improving fitness increases dentate gyrus/CA3 volume in the hippocampal head and enhances memory in young adults. Hippocampus. 2020 May;30(5):488-504. doi: 10.1002/hipo.23166. Epub 2019 Oct 7.

  PMID: 31588607 DERIVED

MeSH Terms

Conditions

Motor Activity

Interventions

Exercise; Endurance Training

Condition Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Behavior

Intervention Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Motor Activity; Movement; Musculoskeletal Physiological Phenomena; Musculoskeletal and Neural Physiological Phenomena; Exercise Therapy; Rehabilitation; Aftercare; Continuity of Patient Care; Patient Care; Therapeutics; Physical Therapy Modalities; Physical Conditioning, Human

Study Officials

• Karin Schon, PhD

  Boston University

  PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR

Study Design

• Study Type: interventional
• Phase: not applicable
• Allocation: RANDOMIZED
• Masking: NONE
• Purpose: PREVENTION
• Intervention Model: PARALLEL
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
• PI Title: Assisstant Professor, Department of Anatomy & Neurobiology, BUSM

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: February 5, 2014
• First Posted: February 7, 2014
• Study Start: April 1, 2014
• Primary Completion: January 1, 2018
• Study Completion: March 1, 2018
• Last Updated: April 25, 2018

Record last verified: 2018-04

Locations

US (1)