The purpose of this trial is to study the improvement of cerebral hemodynamics in high risk stroke patients with impaired Cerebrovascular Reserve (CVR) due to high grade stenosis of the internal carotid (ICA) or middle cerebral artery (MCA) by Intense Aerobic Exercise (IAEx).
The primary objective: Intense aerobic exercise (24/8 weeks) improves CVR \> 20% measured by Transcranial Doppler (TCD) in patients with hemodynamic relevant intra- or extracranial stenoses by enhanced cerebral arterio- and angiogenesis. Secondary objectives: Intense aerobic exercise (24/8 weeks) leads to: * an increase of Endothelial progenitor cell counts (EPCs) * qualitative and quantitative changes of endothelial markers and cytokines representing the inflammatory activity of atherosclerosis and neovascularisation * an improvement in cognitive performance and quality of life (QoL) * changes of the mean vessel size and of cerebral perfusion
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
NONE
Enrollment
50
3 Units (of at least 30 minutes) of intense aerobic exercise per week for 8 weeks
Centre for Stroke Research Berlin, Neurology, Charité Campus Benjamin Franklin
Berlin, Germany
change of cerebrovascular reserve capacity
Time frame: immediately after intervention of 8 weeks, 3 months, 6 months, 12 months Follow up
Endothelial Progenitor Cells, cyto- and chemokines
Time frame: after intervention of 8 weeks, 3 months, 6 months, 12 months Follow up
Neuropsychological Testing/ Quality of life
Time frame: immediately after intervention of 8 weeks, 3 months, 6 months, 12 months Follow up
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