Feasibility of Improving Glycemia With Heat Therapy to Prevent AD

Overview

The investigators will determine if heat therapy can improve blood (Aim 1) and brain (Aim 2) glucose metabolism in cognitively healthy older adults (65+) who are at risk for AD. The investigators will also examine the degree to which changes in blood and brain glucose metabolism track together and explore several additional potential mechanisms that are critical to understanding the brain benefits of heat therapy (Aim 3). These aims will provide a comprehensive understanding of the impact of heat therapy on whole body metabolic function and brain health.

Aim 1. Examine the effects of heat therapy on blood glucose regulation in older adults at risk for AD. The Investigators will determine the ability of 10 weeks of heat therapy (3 days/week) to improve blood glucose regulation in older adults at risk for AD. Our primary outcome measures will be change in glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c), and change in insulin sensitivity index (ISI) assessed pre- vs post-intervention. The Investigators will also perform continuous glucose monitoring for 7 days prior to and following the intervention, as well as monitor dietary patterns during the intervention. The Investigators hypothesize that 10 weeks of heat therapy will lower HbA1c values and improve ISI outcomes. Aim 2. Test the effect of heat therapy on brain glucose metabolism. To date, no studies have examined the impact of heat therapy on brain glucose metabolism. Here The Investigators will determine the effect of 10 weeks of heat therapy on brain glucose metabolism in older adults at risk for AD. Our primary outcome measure will be change in \[18F\] fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) global standardized uptake value ratio (SUVR) pre- vs post- heat therapy. The Investigators hypothesize that individuals will improve (increase) global cerebral glucose metabolism following 10 weeks of heat therapy. The Investigators further hypothesize that the degree of change in blood glucose metabolism will track with change in brain glucose metabolism. Aim 3. Explore the effect of heat therapy on fluid biomarkers (proteostasis, inflammation, neuropathology) and neuroimaging markers of brain health. The Investigators will explore the effect of heat therapy on plasma markers of proteostasis (HSP's), inflammation (CRP, TNF, IL-6, JNK and IKK) and AD-related neuropathology (Amyloid/Tau/Neurodegeneration; A/T/N measures) markers in plasma at baseline and following 10 weeks of heat treatment. The Investigators will also obtain MRI measures of resting state metabolism, brain blood flow, and oxygen uptake for preliminary characterization of intervention-related changes. The Investigators hypothesize that proteostasis, inflammation, and AD neuropathology will be beneficially affected by heat treatment. The Investigators further hypothesize that the team will observe benefits in MRI-related brain outcomes.