Effects of Strengthening Exercise on the Brain for Early Dementia and Normative Older Adults

Neuropsychological and Neuroimaging Effects of Strengthening Exercise for Early Dementia and Normative Older Adults

This study will evaluate the effects of low-intensity strengthening exercise on the brain (thinking and processing speed) for patients with early dementia, compared with normative older adults. Participants will engage in 3 months of exercise 3-5 times per week using a chair and small weights. It is hypothesized that there will be a significant improvement in brain function.

Objective(s): This study will evaluate the neuropsychological and neurophysiological effects of low-intensity strengthening exercise for patients with early dementia, compared with normative older adults. Research Design: This is a quasi-experimental design in which change over time as a result of the exercise intervention will be compared with change over time seen in a normative sample. Methodology: The aim is to enroll 12 participants with early dementia and 12 normative controls, all who are interested in starting a strengthening exercise program. Neuropsychological evaluation, resting electroencephalography (EEG), and event-related potentials (ERP) data collection will commence prior to the start of exercise. Participants will participate in an exercise class 2-3x/wk for three months. Repeat neuropsychological, EEG, and ERP evaluations will occur at the conclusion of three months of exercise. The exercises consist of low-intensity exercises, using a chair and small weights. A leader trained in the Tufts University exercise model will conduct the classes. Findings: The investigators hypothesize a positive impact of exercise on neuropsychological function, especially performance on tasks requiring executive functions. This change will be compared with performance of normative controls who also exercise. Changes in brain function will be explored using EEG and ERP, and results are expected to be similar to prior research examining older adult exercisers which shows improvement in function.

exercise, neuropsychological, dementia, Alzheimer's Disease, mild cognitive impairment, strength, MCI, AD, EEG, neurophysiological, growth factor, cognitive decline, executive function

Individuals with early stage dementia who attended a Adult Day Care Program at least twice a week. Participants engaged in a strengthening exercise program three to five times per week for 10 weeks.

Normative older adults with no known neurological condition. Participants engaged in a strengthening exercise program three to five times per week for 10 weeks.

Average raw cognitive scores before (T1) and after (T2) strengthening exercise intervention. Lower scores on Stroop C (possible range 0-240 sec) represents better performance).

Average raw cognitive scores before (T1) and after (T2) strengthening exercise intervention. Higher scores represent better performance (Digits backwards possible score range is 0-14 points).

Average raw cognitive scores before (T1) and after (T2) strengthening exercise intervention. Higher scores represent better performance (Color Trails possible score range is 0-300 seconds).

Average raw cognitive scores before (T1) and after (T2) strengthening exercise intervention. Higher scores represent better performance (Fuld Semantic Recall possible score range is 0-20 points; Fuld Immediate and Delayed Recall possible score range is 0-10).

Average raw cognitive scores before (T1) and after (T2) strengthening exercise intervention. Higher scores represent better performance (Figure Copy & Delayed possible score range is 0-36 points).

Inclusion Criteria: Adult Day Program Participants with early dementia able to consent or assent with surrogate permission Control participants (55-100+ yo) able to participate at location with doctor permission Exclusion Criteria: history of significant TBI, psychiatric condition, substance abuse, physical conditions that preclude participation in cognitive testing or strengthening exercises

Yerokhin V, Anderson-Hanley C, Hogan MJ, Dunnam M, Huber D, Osborne S, Shulan M. Neuropsychological and neurophysiological effects of strengthening exercise for early dementia: a pilot study. Neuropsychol Dev Cogn B Aging Neuropsychol Cogn. 2012;19(3):380-401. doi: 10.1080/13825585.2011.628378. Epub 2011 Dec 2.