The Entorhinal Cortex and Aerobic Exercise in Aging

Boston University29 enrolled

Overview

The overall goal of this study is to examine how regular exercise affects brain function, spatial memory, and virtual navigation. Participation in this research study will take approximately 4 months.

The investigators are examining the effects of exercise and cardiovascular fitness on cognitive processes. Specifically, the investigators are examining if exercise improves brain function in a brain area known as the entorhinal cortex. Together with the hippocampus this brain area is important for memory formation and spatial navigation. Participation in this research study will take approximately 4 months. During this time, participants will make three initial study visits. The first visit is for informed consent and screening, the second visit is for baseline fitness testing, and the third visit is for cognitive testing and a functional MRI exam. Functional MRI is a brain imaging technique that uses a magnetic field to "take pictures" of the brain while a person performs a cognitive task. It will take up to approximately three weeks to complete these initial three study visits. Following the three initial study visits, the exercise-training program will begin. Participants will be randomized to one of two training programs: a cardiovascular endurance-training program (aerobic exercise) and a strength, balance, and flexibility training program (non-aerobic exercise). 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 two follow-up study visits. The first follow-up visit is for fitness testing. The second follow-up visit is for cognitive testing and an MRI exam.

Study Type

INTERVENTIONAL

Allocation

RANDOMIZED

Purpose

PREVENTION

Masking

NONE

Enrollment

Conditions

Aging

Interventions

Cardiovascular enduranceBEHAVIORAL

Physical exercise at the Boston University Fitness and Recreation Center

Strength, balance, and flexibilityBEHAVIORAL

Physical exercise at the Boston University Fitness and Recreation Center

Eligibility

Sex: ALLMin age: 60 YearsMax age: 80 YearsHealthy volunteers:

Medical Language ↔ Plain English

Inclusion Criteria: * Age between 60-80 years * Physical inactivity/sedentary status (The American College of Sports Medicine defines a sedentary lifestyle as a lifestyle in which a person is not participating in at least 30 minutes of moderate intensity physical activity on at least three days per week for at least three months.) * Generally healthy * Living in the greater Boston area * Fluent in English (must have attended elementary school and higher in English) * Non-smoking Exclusion Criteria: * Poor vision that cannot be corrected with glasses or contact lenses * Presence of an acute infection * Diagnosis of kidney failure * Diagnosis of liver disease * Diagnosis of thyrotoxicosis/hyperthyroidism * Diagnosis of cancer * Diagnosis of severe anemia * Past or present conditions that affect cognitive functioning: * learning disability * neurological disorders or conditions (movement disorder, history of head trauma or stroke, epilepsy, etc.) * psychiatric disorders or conditions within last 5 years (depression, anxiety disorder, etc.) * Severe stress * Evidence of cognitive impairment (e.g. dementia) * Claustrophobia (fear of small, enclosed spaces) * Obesity * Past or present conditions that are counter indicators for participation in cardio-respiratory fitness assessment and physical exercise: * heart conditions (e.g. heart attack, arrhythmias, etc.) * circulatory conditions (e.g. uncontrolled hypertension, leg claudication, 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.) * current musculoskeletal impairments (e.g. fractures, hemiplegia, chronic joint pain, arthritis, osteoporosis, not able to walk comfortably without assistance, etc.) * diagnosis of electrolyte disorder or abnormality * presence of diabetes mellitus * Prescription medication or other drugs that treat heart, lung, or circulatory conditions (e.g. beta blockers, bronchodilators, etc.) * Prescription medication or other drugs that affect chemicals in the brain (e.g. antidepressants, anxiolytics, etc.) * Drug abuse or alcohol misuse * Metal in or on the body that cannot be removed (e.g. pacemaker, defibrillator, metal implant that is ferrous) * Some known abnormal MRI findings (case by case basis) * Regularly exercising * Unavailable for the approx. 4-month duration of the study

Locations (1)

Boston University School of Medicine

Boston, Massachusetts, United States

Outcomes

Primary Outcomes

Functional MRI - Right Subiculum

The fMRI is measuring blood oxygenation levels and blood flow in different regions of the brain and using that to determine activity changes in the brain. This measurement was obtained while participants were performing a virtual navigation task in the MRI scanner. Data reported for fMRI is in beta-weight for navigation greater control contrast of BOLD images. The beta-weight is a standardized regression coefficient. Higher beta-weights mean greater activation and lower beta-weights mean less activation in specific brain regions being monitored. Negative beta-weights mean lower activation for the navigation condition than for the control condition, positive beta-weights mean greater activation for the navigation condition than for the control condition.

Time frame: 0 months-baseline (pre-intervention)

Structural MRI - Right Dentate Gyrus Head

Measurement of regional brain volumes in the medial temporal lobes to assess change in regional brain volumes. Reported outcome measure is volume of the right anterior (i.e., head) dentate gyrus, a hippocampal subfield known to show plasticity in response to exercise in animal models. The hippocampus is part of the medial temporal lobes.

Time frame: 0 months-baseline (pre-intervention)

Cognitive Test Performance: Spatial Memory

Participants will perform a spatial memory test during functional MRI. Measurements include baseline-to-follow-up change test performance.

Time frame: 4 months

Cognitive Test Performance: Virtual Navigation

Participants will perform a virtual navigation test during functional MRI. Measurements include baseline-to-follow-up change in test performance.

Time frame: 4 months

Functional MRI - Post-intervention Right Subiculum

Data from ClinicalTrials.gov

This platform is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional.