This randomized controlled trial (RCT) will investigate the effects of a 6-month, individualized, moderate-intensity cycling intervention on cognition and hippocampal volume in AD with three aims: * Determine the immediate effect of the cycling intervention on cognition in AD. * Examine if the cycling intervention slows cognitive decline in AD from baseline to 12 months. * Assess the effect of aerobic exercise on hippocampal volume in AD over 12 months using MRI. The investigators will randomize 90 participants to the 6-month cycling or stretching/range of motion exercise (20-50-minute, 3 times a week). Participants will then be followed for another 6 months. Cognition will be assessed at baseline, 3, 6, 9, and 12 months and hippocampal volume will be measured using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) at baseline, 6, and 12 months.
Aerobic exercise holds great promise for treating cognitive impairment, the hallmark symptom of Alzheimer's disease (AD), because it may attenuate brain atrophy. AD currently affects more than 5 million Americans, costing $203 billion in 2013 and causing poor outcomes such as loss of independence, low quality of life, and nursing home placement. Available drugs have only modest short-term effects on reducing or slowing cognitive impairment in AD. Hence, there is a pressing need to develop and test aerobic exercise interventions for AD. This randomized controlled trial (RCT) will investigate the effects of a 6-month, individualized, moderate-intensity cycling intervention on cognition and hippocampal volume in AD with three aims: * Determine the immediate effect of the cycling intervention on cognition in AD. * Examine if the cycling intervention slows cognitive decline in AD from baseline to 12 months. * Assess the effect of aerobic exercise on hippocampal volume in AD over 12 months using MRI. The investigators will randomize 90 participants to the 6-month cycling or stretching/range of motion exercise (20-50-minute, 3 times a week). Participants will then be followed for another 6 months. Cognition will be assessed at baseline, 3, 6, 9, and 12 months and hippocampal volume will be measured using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) at baseline, 6, and 12 months. Transportation will be provided to participants for all study-related activities including exercises. Participants who could not undergo MRI can still participate.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
SINGLE
Enrollment
96
An exercise interventionist will guide and supervise participants to participate in moderate-intensity cycling on recumbent stationary cycles for 20-50 minutes, 3 times a week for 6 months.
An exercise interventionist will guide and supervise participants to participate in low-intensity range of motion/stretching exercise for 20-50 minutes, 3 times a week for 6 months.
University of Minnesota
Minneapolis, Minnesota, United States
Change in cognition from baseline to 6 months as measured by the Alzheimer's Disease Assessment Scale - Cognitive Subscale
This outcome measure will be given to all study participants.
Time frame: Baseline, 3 months, 6 months, 9 months, and 12 months
Change in hippocampal volume as measured by Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI)
Only participants who qualified to undergo MRI will be assessed for hippocampal volume.
Time frame: Baseline, 6 months, and 12 months
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