Cognitive Benefits of Aerobic Exercise Across the Age Span

Cognitive Function Clinical Trial

Official title:

Cognitive Benefits of Aerobic Exercise Across the Age Span

Clinical Trial Details — Status: Completed

Administrative data

• NCT number: NCT01179958
• Other study ID #: #6211/7140R
• Secondary ID: AG030092
• Status: Completed
• Phase: N/A
• Start date: August 2010
• Est. completion date: June 29, 2016

Study information

• Verified date: August 2018
• Source: New York State Psychiatric Institute
• Contact: n/a
• Is FDA regulated: No
• Study type: Interventional

Clinical Trial Summary

The purpose of this study is to test the hypothesis that aerobic exercise leads improved cognitive function accompanied by increases in gray matter density and changes in functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) patterns of task-related activation.

Description:

While animal and human studies indicate cognitive benefits from aerobic exercise across the lifespan, the great majority of controlled exercise studies in humans have been restricted to elderly individuals. Those studies have indicated that enhancing aerobic capacity has a beneficial effect on cognition. One study suggests that this benefit is seen particularly for executive control processes, precisely the processes affected by aging. These improvements have been accompanied by increases in gray matter density and changes in functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) patterns of task-related activation. The goal of the proposed study is to extend the investigation of the beneficial effects of aerobic exercise to younger individuals, and to compare these effects in young and old.

In this application the study team propose to conduct a study in which 270 sedentary but otherwise healthy and cognitively intact individuals in the 20-68 year age range are randomized to two training conditions, aerobic exercise and stretching/toning, to be completed at YMCAs and YMHAs in New York City. Participants will be assessed for aerobic capacity, cognitive task performance, and by structural MRI, resting cerebral blood flow scans (arterial spin labeling) and cognitive activation fMRI studies at study entry and after 6 months of training.

The study also proposes two complementary approaches to investigating the neural correlates of the beneficial effects of aerobic exercise on cognition: 1) imaging -- a combination of structural, metabolic, and cognitive activation fMRI studies to evaluate the neural substrates of the effect of aerobic exercise on cognition will be used. 2) important correlates -- the effects of apolipoprotein E (APOE) genotype, inflammatory markers and cognitive reserve on the cognitive effects of aerobic exercise will be explored.

Recruitment information / eligibility

• Status: Completed
• Enrollment: 305
• Est. completion date: June 29, 2016
• Est. primary completion date: May 2016
• Accepts healthy volunteers: Accepts Healthy Volunteers
• Gender: All
• Age group: 20 Years to 68 Years

Eligibility

Inclusion Criteria:

1. Age 20-68

2. English-speaking

3. strongly right-handed

4. BMI < 35

5. Pre-menopausal (women only): no oral contraceptive use Post-menopausal: no estrogen replacement therapy

6. sedentary: VO2 max < 41 and 31.6 ml/kg/min for men age 20-40 and 50-68 and < 35.2 and 26.6 ml/kg/min for women age 20-40 and 50-68 respectively

7. participants over age 60 must have ECG within past 3 months

Exclusion Criteria:

1. MRI contraindications (e.g., metallic implants, pacemaker, weight > 350 lbs, waist > 55")

2. Hearing impaired/hearing aids, unable to read newspaper at arm's length with corrective lenses

3. Objective cognitive impairment

4. Ischemic changes, abnormal blood pressure responses, or any significant ectopy during aerobic capacity testing

5. Cardiovascular disease

6. Uncontrolled high blood pressure (systolic blood pressure = 140 mmHg; or diastolic blood pressure = 90 mmHg on two measures)

7. Current or recent (evidence of disease x 5 years) non-skin neoplastic disease or melanoma

8. Active hepatic disease (not a history of hepatitis) or primary renal disease requiring dialysis, primary untreated endocrine diseases, e.g., Cushing's disease or primary hypothalamic failure or insulin dependent diabetes (Type I or II).

9. HIV infection

10. Pregnant or lactating (participation allowed 3 months after ceasing lactation

11. Medications that target CNS (central nervous system, e.g., neuroleptics, anticonvulsants, antidepressants, benzodiazepines) within the last month

12. Women: any selective estrogen receptor modulator or aromatase inhibitor Men: androgen ablation/deprivation hormonal therapies

13. Any history of psychosis or electroconvulsive therapy

14. Psychotic disorder (lifetime)

15. Current or recent (within past 12 months) alcohol or substance abuse or dependence. Recent use (past month) of recreational drugs.

16. Brain disorder such as stroke, tumor, infection, epilepsy, multiple sclerosis, degenerative diseases, head injury, mental retardation

17. Imaged cortical stroke or large subcortical lacunae or infarct or space-occupying lesion (= 2 cubic cm). Other findings, e.g., periventricular caps or small white matter hyperintensities, do not result in exclusion

18. Diagnosed learning disability, dyslexia

19. Current or recent (Past 5 years) Major Depressive Disorder, Bipolar Disorder, or Anxiety Disorder

20. Dementia Rating Scale < 135

Related Conditions & MeSH terms

• Cognitive Function

Intervention

Behavioral:
• aerobic training
24 weeks of aerobic training, 4X/week
• stretching/toning
stretches and toning exercises designed to promote flexibility and improved core strength

Locations

Country	Name	City	State
United States	Richard Sloan	New York	New York

Sponsors (1)

Lead Sponsor	Collaborator
New York State Psychiatric Institute

Country where clinical trial is conducted

United States, 

Outcome

Type	Measure	Description	Time frame	Safety issue
Primary	Change from baseline in measures of executive control function and episodic memory at 6 months	tests of global intelligence, executive function, working memory and processing speed	24 weeks
Secondary	Change from baseline in brain structure, resting cerebral blood flow and network efficiency at 6 months	structural MRI (for gray matter density), resting CBF (cerebral blood flow, measured by arterial spin labeling) and cognitive activation fMRI studies	24 weeks
Secondary	Change from baseline in measures of interleukin-6, tumor necrosis factor alpha, C-reactive protein at 6 months		Baseline and 24 weeks
Secondary	Change from baseline in aerobic capacity at 6 months	aerobic capacity as measured by VO2 max	24 weeks
Secondary	Change from baseline in measures of executive control function and episodic memory at 1 year	tests of global intelligence, executive function, working memory and processing speed	48 weeks