Working Memory and Physical Exercise Training in Patients With Mild Cognitive Impairment

NCT05948930 | Recruiting DMC

• 1 other identifier: HP-00105789
• Study Type: interventional
• Target: 90
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief Summary

The prevalence of dementia will double in the next three decades in the U.S.; effective treatment or prevention for dementia is urgently needed. The current exploratory project aims to evaluate and understand how the brain and cognition may improve after a 12-week intervention that combines brain training and aerobic exercise training to improve brain function, both in those with mild cognitive impairment (some with possible prodromal Alzheimer's disease) and with healthy aging. Findings from this pilot project will guide and refine the development of a future larger clinical trial that aligns with the goals of the National Alzheimer's Plan of Action (NAPA), especially regarding "Prevent and Effectively Treat Alzheimer's Disease (AD) by 2025.

Conditions

Mild Cognitive Impairment

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (8)

• Changes in Brain structure measures

  Changes in brain volume measures from T1-weighted images (volumes in mm3)

  At baseline and at 4 weeks after the corresponding training program.

• Changes in brain cortical thickness measures

  Changes in brain cortical thickness measures from T1-weighted images (thickness measures in mm)

  At baseline and at 4 weeks after the corresponding training program.

• Changes in Brain microstructure measures

  Changes in brain measures of diffused tensor imaging (diffusion coefficient in mm²/s)

  At baseline and at 4 weeks after the corresponding training program.

• Changes in Brain blood flow from Arterial spin labeling magnetic resonance imaging (ASL-MRI) in milliliters/100 g/minutes

  Changes in Brain blood flow from Arterial spin labeling magnetic resonance imaging (ASL-MRI) in milliliters/ 100 g/ minutes

  At baseline and at 4 weeks after the corresponding training program.

• Changes in Brain Activation on functional MRI

  Changes in functional MRI from blood oxygen level dependence (BOLD) contrast on fMRI (in percentage change)

  At baseline and at 4 weeks after the corresponding training program.

• Changes in cognitive performance, emotions, and motor function based on NIH toolbox

  Changes in cognitive performance, emotions, and motor function in raw scores measured by the NIH Toolbox® (reports will be generated as T scores, with higher T scores indicating better outcomes)

  At baseline and at 4 weeks after the corresponding training program.

• Changes in executive function using the Behavior Rating Inventory of Executive Function-Adult Version (BRIEF-A)

  Changes in executive function using the Behavior Rating Inventory of Executive Function-Adult Version (BRIEF-A) (reports will be generated as T scores, with lower T scores indicating better outcomes and T scores higher than 65 indicating significant impairments in the executive function)

  At baseline and at 4 weeks after the corresponding training program.

• Changes in Blood Bioenergetic Markers

  Platelet mitochondrial respiration (OCR) and extracellular acidification rates (ECAR) will be evaluated to assess bioenergetic profiles in platelets isolated from whole blood of fasted participants. OCR will be measured using a Seahorse model XFe96 machine as the high throughput platform. Measurements of OCR/ECAR will be performed with the following modifications. Platelets will be isolated from whole blood with a Beckman Allegra model X-30R centrifuge. Platelets will be counted using a Nexcelom Bioscience Cellometer (Lawrence, MA) using Calcein acetoxymethyl (AM) ester dye to enable the seeding of 10,000,000 platelets per well.

  At baseline and at 4 weeks after the corresponding training program.

Secondary Outcomes (1)

• VO2peak

  At baseline and within one week after the corresponding training program.

Study Arms (3)

Aerobic Exercise

EXPERIMENTAL

Progressive aerobic exercise 3x/week for 12 weeks.

Behavioral: Progressive aerobic exercise

Cognitive Training

EXPERIMENTAL

Adaptive cognitive training on Cogmed 5x/week for a total of 25 sessions in 5-8 weeks.

Behavioral: Adaptive cognitive training

Combined Cognitive and Aerobic Exercise

EXPERIMENTAL

Combined progressive aerobic exercise 3x/week for 12 weeks and adaptive cognitive training on Cogmed 5x/week for a total of 25 sessions in 5-8 weeks simultaneously.

Behavioral: Combined

Interventions

Progressive aerobic exercise BEHAVIORAL

Progressive aerobic exercise

Aerobic Exercise

Adaptive cognitive training BEHAVIORAL

Adaptive cognitive training

Cognitive Training

Combined BEHAVIORAL

Combine adaptive cognitive and progressive aerobic exercise training

Combined Cognitive and Aerobic Exercise

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 50 Years - 80 Years
• Sex: all
• Healthy Volunteers: Yes
• Age Groups: Adult (18-64), Older Adult (65+)

You may qualify if:

• Adult men and women of all races and ethnicities who are 50-80 years of age will be eligible.
• Only sedentary adults will be eligible (engaging in structured activity for exercise \<3x/week) for Progressive aerobic exercise or Combined training
• Ability to use, and accessibility to, an iPad or computer is required for the Adaptive cognitive training and Combined training.
• Fluent in English.
• The diagnosis of MCI will first be confirmed at the screening evaluation using the clinical dementia rating (CDR) scale and the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA). We will also evaluate their ADL using instrumental activities of daily living (IADL) to ensure they have preserved independence in functional abilities despite the cognitive deficits. The primary caregivers will be interviewed (either in person or by phone) for the participants' IADL to corroborate the independent functional status.

You may not qualify if:

• Does not have access to a computer or internet to perform the Cogmed® training AND is unwilling to come to the lab for the training.
• Unable to undergo an MRI investigation based on claustrophobia or metal foreign bodies.
• Symptomatic heart disease, Coronary artery disease, congestive heart failure, uncontrolled hypertension, uncontrolled diabetes (HbA1c\>10%), significant cardiovascular disorders (on EKG and graded exercise test) that would prevent the participant from the exercise training; neurologic, musculoskeletal, or other condition that limits the subject's ability to complete study physical assessments.
• Estimated verbal Intelligence Quotient (IQ) below 70 (based on the Wechsler Test of Adult Reading) which would invalidate the informed consent process for the study.
• Self-reported moderate to severe substance use disorder(s) (e.g., self-reported intake \>3 oz liquor, or three 4 oz glasses of wine, or three 12 oz cans of beer per day or illicit drug use).
• Severe chronic or acute medical or other (non-MCI) neuropsychiatric conditions that might confound the cognitive or brain imaging measures (e.g., liver function tests \>2.5 normal range or evidence for renal failure).
• Body mass index \>40 kg/m2.

Sponsors & Collaborators

• University of Maryland, Baltimore: lead

Study Sites (1)

University of Maryland Baltimore

Baltimore, Maryland, 21201, United States

RECRUITING

Related Publications (18)

• Chacko BK, Kramer PA, Ravi S, Benavides GA, Mitchell T, Dranka BP, Ferrick D, Singal AK, Ballinger SW, Bailey SM, Hardy RW, Zhang J, Zhi D, Darley-Usmar VM. The Bioenergetic Health Index: a new concept in mitochondrial translational research. Clin Sci (Lond). 2014 Sep;127(6):367-73. doi: 10.1042/CS20140101.

  PMID: 24895057 BACKGROUND

• Vidorreta M, Wang Z, Chang YV, Wolk DA, Fernandez-Seara MA, Detre JA. Whole-brain background-suppressed pCASL MRI with 1D-accelerated 3D RARE Stack-Of-Spirals readout. PLoS One. 2017 Aug 24;12(8):e0183762. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0183762. eCollection 2017.

  PMID: 28837640 BACKGROUND

• Dolui S, Vidorreta M, Wang Z, Nasrallah IM, Alavi A, Wolk DA, Detre JA. Comparison of PASL, PCASL, and background-suppressed 3D PCASL in mild cognitive impairment. Hum Brain Mapp. 2017 Oct;38(10):5260-5273. doi: 10.1002/hbm.23732. Epub 2017 Jul 24.

  PMID: 28737289 BACKGROUND

• Hol HR, Flak MM, Chang L, Lohaugen GCC, Bjuland KJ, Rimol LM, Engvig A, Skranes J, Ernst T, Madsen BO, Hernes SS. Cortical Thickness Changes After Computerized Working Memory Training in Patients With Mild Cognitive Impairment. Front Aging Neurosci. 2022 Apr 4;14:796110. doi: 10.3389/fnagi.2022.796110. eCollection 2022.

  PMID: 35444526 BACKGROUND

• Panee J, Gerschenson M, Chang L. Associations Between Microbiota, Mitochondrial Function, and Cognition in Chronic Marijuana Users. J Neuroimmune Pharmacol. 2018 Mar;13(1):113-122. doi: 10.1007/s11481-017-9767-0. Epub 2017 Nov 4.

  PMID: 29101632 BACKGROUND

• Tyrrell DJ, Bharadwaj MS, Jorgensen MJ, Register TC, Shively C, Andrews RN, Neth B, Keene CD, Mintz A, Craft S, Molina AJA. Blood-Based Bioenergetic Profiling Reflects Differences in Brain Bioenergetics and Metabolism. Oxid Med Cell Longev. 2017;2017:7317251. doi: 10.1155/2017/7317251. Epub 2017 Oct 2.

  PMID: 29098063 BACKGROUND

• Chang L, Holt JL, Yakupov R, Jiang CS, Ernst T. Lower cognitive reserve in the aging human immunodeficiency virus-infected brain. Neurobiol Aging. 2013 Apr;34(4):1240-53. doi: 10.1016/j.neurobiolaging.2012.10.012. Epub 2012 Nov 15.

  PMID: 23158761 BACKGROUND

• Chang L, Yakupov R, Cloak C, Ernst T. Marijuana use is associated with a reorganized visual-attention network and cerebellar hypoactivation. Brain. 2006 May;129(Pt 5):1096-112. doi: 10.1093/brain/awl064. Epub 2006 Apr 3.

  PMID: 16585053 BACKGROUND

• Tomasi D, Caparelli EC, Chang L, Ernst T. fMRI-acoustic noise alters brain activation during working memory tasks. Neuroimage. 2005 Aug 15;27(2):377-86. doi: 10.1016/j.neuroimage.2005.04.010.

  PMID: 15893942 BACKGROUND

• Tomasi D, Ernst T, Caparelli EC, Chang L. Practice-induced changes of brain function during visual attention: a parametric fMRI study at 4 Tesla. Neuroimage. 2004 Dec;23(4):1414-21. doi: 10.1016/j.neuroimage.2004.07.065.

  PMID: 15589105 BACKGROUND

• Ernst T, Chang L, Arnold S. Increased glial metabolites predict increased working memory network activation in HIV brain injury. Neuroimage. 2003 Aug;19(4):1686-93. doi: 10.1016/s1053-8119(03)00232-5.

  PMID: 12948723 BACKGROUND

• Ernst T, Chang L, Jovicich J, Ames N, Arnold S. Abnormal brain activation on functional MRI in cognitively asymptomatic HIV patients. Neurology. 2002 Nov 12;59(9):1343-9. doi: 10.1212/01.wnl.0000031811.45569.b0.

  PMID: 12427881 BACKGROUND

• Chang L, Lohaugen GC, Douet V, Miller EN, Skranes J, Ernst T. Neural correlates of working memory training in HIV patients: study protocol for a randomized controlled trial. Trials. 2016 Feb 2;17:62. doi: 10.1186/s13063-016-1160-4.

  PMID: 26833223 BACKGROUND

• Flak MM, Hernes SS, Chang L, Ernst T, Douet V, Skranes J, Lohaugen GC. The Memory Aid study: protocol for a randomized controlled clinical trial evaluating the effect of computer-based working memory training in elderly patients with mild cognitive impairment (MCI). Trials. 2014 May 3;15:156. doi: 10.1186/1745-6215-15-156.

  PMID: 24886034 BACKGROUND

• Chang L, Lohaugen GC, Andres T, Jiang CS, Douet V, Tanizaki N, Walker C, Castillo D, Lim A, Skranes J, Otoshi C, Miller EN, Ernst TM. Adaptive working memory training improved brain function in human immunodeficiency virus-seropositive patients. Ann Neurol. 2017 Jan;81(1):17-34. doi: 10.1002/ana.24805. Epub 2016 Dec 28.

  PMID: 27761943 BACKGROUND

• Brehmer Y, Westerberg H, Backman L. Working-memory training in younger and older adults: training gains, transfer, and maintenance. Front Hum Neurosci. 2012 Mar 27;6:63. doi: 10.3389/fnhum.2012.00063. eCollection 2012.

  PMID: 22470330 BACKGROUND

• Kramer AF, Colcombe S. Fitness Effects on the Cognitive Function of Older Adults: A Meta-Analytic Study-Revisited. Perspect Psychol Sci. 2018 Mar;13(2):213-217. doi: 10.1177/1745691617707316.

  PMID: 29592650 BACKGROUND

• Kramer AF, Erickson KI. Capitalizing on cortical plasticity: influence of physical activity on cognition and brain function. Trends Cogn Sci. 2007 Aug;11(8):342-8. doi: 10.1016/j.tics.2007.06.009. Epub 2007 Jul 12.

  PMID: 17629545 BACKGROUND

MeSH Terms

Conditions

Cognitive Dysfunction

Condition Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Cognition Disorders; Neurocognitive Disorders; Mental Disorders

Central Study Contacts

Linda Chang, M.D., M.S.

CONTACT

410 706 1036; LChang@som.umaryland.edu

Study Design

• Study Type: interventional
• Phase: not applicable
• Allocation: NON RANDOMIZED
• Masking: SINGLE
• Who Masked: OUTCOMES ASSESSOR
• Purpose: SUPPORTIVE CARE
• Intervention Model: PARALLEL
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
• PI Title: Principal Investigator

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: July 3, 2023
• First Posted: July 17, 2023
• Study Start: January 8, 2024
• Primary Completion: February 7, 2026
• Study Completion (Estimated): August 7, 2026
• Last Updated: April 11, 2025

Record last verified: 2025-04

Data Sharing

• IPD Sharing: Will not share

Locations

US (1)