The purpose of this research study is to determine the effects of an exercise intervention and health-education program on brain dopamine receptors and on cognitive functions that have been linked to these receptors.
After completing baseline assessments within 2 wks after admission, participants will be randomized to one of two interventions: Exercise (EX, active intervention), consisting of 3x-weekly 50-min aerobic + resistance-training sessions for 8 wk; Health Education (control intervention, CON), consisting of 50-min health education sessions 3x-weekly for 8 wk. Participants will undergo positron emission tomography (PET) and functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) scans while performing the stop signal task (SST) and the reversal learning task (RLT) (cognitive computer tasks) at baseline and after completing the 8-wk protocol.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
BASIC_SCIENCE
Masking
NONE
Enrollment
113
An individualized aerobic and resistance-exercise program will be developed for each participant on the basis of a maximal incremental exercise test and strength assessments performed at baseline. This test will measure aerobic capacity (VO2 max) and the metabolic or lactate threshold (VO2θ) (i.e., the level of O2 uptake that defines one's ability to perform prolonged work), using indirect calorimetry with an automated metabolic-measurement system. The intervention will comprise 24 sessions over 8 wk (3x/wk), supervised by a credentialed exercise specialist. Each session will consist of a 5-min warm-up, 30-40 min of aerobic activity on a treadmill, 15-20 min of resistance training, and a 5-min cool-down.
Participants attend 50-min sessions 3x/wk matched to EX for staff contact. A counselor will facilitate integrative group discussions, and will conduct a multimedia program addressing various health, wellness and lifestyle topics, such as nutrition, dental care, stress relief, sleep hygiene, relationships, immunizations, health screening, smoking, environmental health, and time management.
University of California Los Angeles
Los Angeles, California, United States
Striatal D2/3 Binding Potential (BPND) Upregulation
Dopamine D2-type receptor binding potential in the striatum measured with positron emission tomography scanning measured at baseline prior to exercise (EX) and after 8 weeks of EX (vs. CON) treatment.
Time frame: 8 weeks
Sustained attention
The Continuous Performance Task will be used to assess sustained attention at baseline prior to exercise (EX) and after 8 weeks of EX (vs. CON) treatment. The following outcome variables will be assessed: Correct Detection: Number of responses to the target stimulus. Reaction times: Length of time between stimulus presentation and response. Omission errors: Number of target presentations with no response. Commission errors: Number of responses without target stimulus presentation. High omission rates reflect impaired attention, higher correct detections reflect improved attention.
Time frame: 8 weeks
Working memory
The Sternberg Spatial Task will be used to assess working memory at baseline prior to exercise (EX) and after 8 weeks of EX (vs. CON) treatment. The number of correct responses will be measured, with higher amounts of correct responses reflecting better working memory.
Time frame: 8 weeks
Declarative memory
The Rey Auditory Verbal Learning Test will be used to assess declarative memory at baseline prior to exercise (EX) and after 8 weeks of EX (vs. CON) treatment. The number of words correctly recalled will be recorded before and after a 20 minute delay, as well as the number of intrusions. The corresponding Z score and percentile of each participant's responses will be calculated.
Time frame: 8 weeks
Selective attention
The Stroop Task will be used to assess working memory at baseline prior to exercise (EX) and after 8 weeks of EX (vs. CON) treatment. The number of words, colors, and number of color words within a set time will be measured, as well as the number of errors. Larger amounts of errors reflect worse selective attention, whereas higher numbers of words, colors, and number of color words completed reflect better selective attention.
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Time frame: 8 weeks
Inhibitory control - stop signal task
The Stop-signal task will be used to assess inhibitory control at baseline prior to exercise (EX) and after 8 weeks of EX (vs. CON) treatment.
Time frame: 8 weeks
Inhibitory control - reversal learning
A reversal learning task will be used to assess inhibitory control at baseline prior to exercise (EX) and after 8 weeks of EX (vs. CON) treatment.
Time frame: 8 weeks
Reward-based decision-making
A monetary delay-discounting task/questionnaires and the Balloon Analogue Risk task will be used to assess reward-based decision-making at baseline prior to exercise (EX) and after 8 weeks of EX (vs. CON) treatment. The primary outcome measures include the number of balloon pumps and earnings, with more pumps and earnings reflecting greater risk.
Time frame: 8 weeks
Resting state functional connectivity
Striatum resting state functional connectivity will be measured with a functional magnetic resonance imaging scan at baseline prior to exercise (EX) and after 8 weeks of EX (vs. CON) treatment.
Time frame: 8 weeks
Task-based brain activity (functional magnetic resonance imaging) - balloon analog risk
Performance on a cognitive task (the Balloon Analog Risk Task) will be assessed during a functional magnetic resonance imaging scan at baseline prior to exercise (EX) and after 8 weeks of EX (vs. CON) treatment.
Time frame: 8 weeks
Task-based brain activity (functional magnetic resonance imaging - stop signal
Performance on a cognitive task the (Stop Signal Task), will be assessed during a functional magnetic resonance imaging scan at baseline prior to exercise (EX) and after 8 weeks of EX (vs. CON) treatment.
Time frame: 8 weeks
Decision making under risk and ambiguity
A task involving decision making under during differing types of risk and ambiguity will be used to determine decision making under risk and ambiguity at baseline prior to exercise (EX) and after 8 weeks of EX (vs. CON) treatment. The Risk and Ambiguity Task measures tolerance for risk under conditions of known risk (alpha) and unknown risk (beta).
Time frame: 8 weeks
Loss Aversion
A computer task and written questionnaire assessing loss preferences will be used to assess loss aversion at baseline prior to exercise (EX) and after 8 weeks of EX (vs. CON) treatment.
Time frame: 8 weeks
Motor Function
A finger tapping test will be to assess motor function at baseline prior to exercise (EX) and after 8 weeks of EX (vs. CON) treatment. The number of finger taps in 10 seconds will be recorded three times per hand, and averaged to create the primary outcome measure reflecting motor function.
Time frame: 8 weeks