Acute Exercise on Brain Insulin Sensitivity

Overview

Dementia is a leading cause of death in the United States among aging adults. Brain insulin resistance has emerged as a pathologic factor affecting memory, executive function as well as systemic glucose control. Regular aerobic exercise decreases Alzheimer's Disease (AD) risk, in part, through changes in brain structure and function. However, there is limited data available on how exercise impacts brain insulin resistance in aging. This study will test the effect of acute exercise on brain insulin sensitivity in middle-aged to older adults. The study will also examine cognition and cardiometabolic health in relation to brain insulin sensitivity.

Obesity, hypertension, high blood glucose (e.g. prediabetes/type 2 diabetes), and physical inactivity is thought to worsen brain insulin resistance and reduce cerebral blood flow. This suggests lifestyle approaches may be necessary to counteract declines in brain health. Regular aerobic exercise decreases Alzheimer's Disease (AD) risk, in part, through changes in brain structure and function. Moreover, exercise-related structural changes in the brain, namely increased hippocampal volume, is linked to improved memory. However, there is limited data available on how exercise impacts brain insulin resistance in aging. It is also unclear if one bout of exercise may help improve brain insulin responses to insulin before fitness gains or weight loss in people at risk for dementia, type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease. Because single bouts of exercise are established to improve metabolic and vascular insulin sensitivity in people with obesity, the investigators anticipate exercise to raise brain insulin sensitivity in relation to cognition and cardiometabolic health.