Brain and Muscle Plasticity During Immobilization

NCT05115643 | Completed

• 1 other identifier: A00-M01-21A
• Study Type: interventional
• Target: 12
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief Summary

Patients in rehabilitation may undergo periods of prolonged limb immobilization in response to injury, surgery, or illness. Due to disuse, the size and strength of muscles controlling the affected limb can decrease significantly, possibly resulting in physical impairment or lower quality of life during the recovery phase. Prior immobilization studies have shown that the rate and degree of decline in muscle strength exceeds that of muscle size, indicating that determinants of muscle strength unrelated to muscle size may further contribute to functional changes during immobilization. The purpose of this study is to describe the changes in muscle strength, muscle size, corticospinal excitability, voluntary activation, M1 cortical thickness, and resting state functional connectivity following a 2-week limb immobilization period in young women.

Conditions

Muscle Atrophy

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (6)

• Change in isometric elbow flexion and extension peak torque, both arms

  Measured using an isokinetic dynamometer; peak torque during static contraction of the elbow flexors and extensors

  Comparison between before and after 2 weeks of left arm immobilization

• Change in isokinetic elbow flexion and extension peak torque, both arms

  Measured using an isokinetic dynamometer; peak torque during dynamic contraction of the elbow flexors and extensors

  Comparison between before and after 2 weeks of left arm immobilization

• Change in cross-sectional area of the elbow flexor and extensor muscles, both arms

  Obtained from magnetic resonance images of each arm

  Comparison between before and after 2 weeks of left arm immobilization

• Change in volume of the elbow flexor and extensor muscles, both arms

  Obtained from magnetic resonance images of each arm

  Comparison between before and after 2 weeks of left arm immobilization

• Voluntary activation of biceps brachii, both arms

  Measured using peripheral nerve stimulation and an isokinetic dynamometer; estimation of the capacity to voluntarily activate the force-generating elements of the biceps brachii during maximal effort elbow flexion

  Comparison between before and after 2 weeks of left arm immobilization

• Change in corticospinal excitability of biceps brachii, both arms

  Measured using transcranial magnetic stimulation; estimation of the efficacy of the corticospinal tract to relay electrical signals to the biceps brachii muscle

  Comparison between before immobilization and 24 hours of left arm immobilization, and before and after 2 weeks of left arm immobilization

Secondary Outcomes (2)

• Change in right and left primary motor cortex thickness

  Comparison between before and after 2 weeks of left arm immobilization

• Change in whole brain resting state functional connectivity

  Comparison between before and after 2 weeks of left arm immobilization

Other Outcomes (4)

• 2-day caloric and macronutrient intake, before immobilization

  Measured during the 2-day period right before left arm immobilization

• 2-day caloric and macronutrient intake, during immobilization

  Measured during the last 2 days of left arm immobilization

• Ovarian hormone concentrations (estradiol, progesterone)

  Measured on day of left arm immobilization, before putting on the arm brace

Study Arms (2)

Immobilized arm

EXPERIMENTAL

Left arm of participant

Behavioral: Immobilization

Non-immobilized arm

NO INTERVENTION

Right arm of participant

Interventions

Immobilization BEHAVIORAL

Immobilization of left arm using a brace and sling.

Immobilized arm

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 18 Years - 35 Years
• Sex: female
• Healthy Volunteers: Yes
• Age Groups: Adult (18-64)

You may qualify if:

• Biologically female
• Right-hand dominant
• Body mass index between 18.5-30 kg/m\^2 (inclusive)
• Regular menstrual cycle
• Be able to maintain a habitual diet throughout the duration of the study

You may not qualify if:

• Use of tobacco
• Pregnancy
• A history of brain trauma
• Suffers from a neurological disease or movement disorder
• Peripheral nerve damage
• Use of medications known to affect protein metabolism (i.e., corticosteroids, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, or prescription strength acne medications)
• Diagnosed with or suspects having a psychiatric illness
• Use of dietary supplements known to affect muscle size (i.e., creatine, fish oil)
• Past or present diagnosis of an eating disorder by a physician or registered dietician
• Possesses any metal implants (e.g. artificial joints, pacemakers, stents) or non-removeable medical devices that are contraindicative for magnetic resonance imaging (e.g. insulin pumps)

Sponsors & Collaborators

• McGill University: lead

Study Sites (1)

Exercise Metabolism and Nutrition Research Laboratory

Montreal, Quebec, H2W 1S4, Canada

Location

MeSH Terms

Conditions

Muscular Atrophy

Interventions

Immobilization

Condition Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Neuromuscular Manifestations; Neurologic Manifestations; Nervous System Diseases; Atrophy; Pathological Conditions, Anatomical; Pathological Conditions, Signs and Symptoms; Signs and Symptoms

Intervention Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Investigative Techniques

Study Design

• Study Type: interventional
• Phase: not applicable
• Allocation: NON RANDOMIZED
• Masking: NONE
• Purpose: BASIC SCIENCE
• Intervention Model: SINGLE GROUP
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
• PI Title: Assistant Professor

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: October 10, 2021
• First Posted: November 10, 2021
• Study Start: October 8, 2021
• Primary Completion: April 21, 2022
• Study Completion: April 21, 2022
• Last Updated: May 19, 2022

Record last verified: 2022-05

Locations

CA (1)