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Therapeutically relevant structural and functional mechanisms triggered by physical and cognitive exercise
Suo, Chao Singh, Maria Fiatarone Gates, Nicola J. Wen, Wei Sachdev, Perminder Brodaty, Henry Saigal, Nidhi Wilson, Guy C. Meiklejohn, Jacinda Singh, Nalin
Suo, Chao
Singh, Maria Fiatarone
Gates, Nicola J.
Wen, Wei
Sachdev, Perminder
Brodaty, Henry
Saigal, Nidhi
Wilson, Guy C.
Meiklejohn, Jacinda
Singh, Nalin
Abstract
Physical and cognitive exercise may prevent or delay dementia in later life but the neural mechanisms underlying these therapeutic benefits are largely unknown. We examined structural and functional magnetic resonance imaging ( MRI ) brain changes after 6 months of progressive resistance training ( PRT ), computerized cognitive training ( CCT ) or combined intervention. A total of 100 older individuals ( 68 females, average age=70.1, s.d.±6.7, 55–87 years ) with dementia prodrome mild cognitive impairment were recruited in the SMART ( Study of Mental Activity and Resistance Training ) Trial. Participants were randomly assigned into four intervention groups: PRT+CCT, PRT+SHAM CCT, CCT+SHAM PRT and double SHAM. Multimodal MRI was conducted at baseline and at 6 months of follow-up ( immediately after training ) to measure structural and spontaneous functional changes in the brain, with a focus on the hippocampus and posterior cingulate regions. Participants’ cognitive changes were also assessed before and after training. We found that PRT but not CCT significantly improved global cognition ( F( 90 )=4.1, P < 0.05 ) as well as expanded gray matter in the posterior cingulate ( Pcorrected < 0.05 ), and these changes were related to each other ( r=0.25, P=0.03 ). PRT also reversed progression of white matter hyperintensities, a biomarker of cerebrovascular disease, in several brain areas. In contrast, CCT but not PRT attenuated decline in overall memory performance ( F( 90 )=5.7, P < 0.02 ), mediated by enhanced functional connectivity between the hippocampus and superior frontal cortex. Our findings indicate that physical and cognitive training depend on discrete neuronal mechanisms for their therapeutic efficacy, information that may help develop targeted lifestyle-based preventative strategies.
Keywords
Date
2016
Type
Journal article
Journal
Molecular Psychiatry
Book
Volume
21
Issue
11
Page Range
1633-1642
Article Number
ACU Department
Research Office
School of Nursing, Midwifery and Paramedicine
Faculty of Health Sciences
School of Nursing, Midwifery and Paramedicine
Faculty of Health Sciences
Relation URI
Source URL
Event URL
Open Access Status
Open access
License
File Access
Controlled
Notes
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