Abstract
Background: Previous research demonstrates that physical activity and brain training improves cognition and may work on the principles of Aβ clearance, neuroplasticity and neurogenesis. However, whether PA and CS alter plasma Aβ40, Aβ42 and BDNF levels in healthy elderly is yet to be demonstrated.
Methods: 221 healthy community-dwelling older adults (MMSE>24) aged 50 to 85 years were randomized into a PA group, a CS group, a combination of PA+CSgroup and a no contact control group. The intervention consisted of 16 weeks of home based physical activity program under the supervision of exercise physiologists that included 3 days/week of walking for 60 minutes/day with 2 days/week of resistance training and brain training included use of two computerized software programs (Posit Science, USA) for 5 days/week for 60 minutes /day for duration of 16 weeks. All individuals were genotyped for APOE, assayed for plasma Aβ40, Aβ42, BDNF. Subjects also underwent a battery of neuropsychological tests that included Cambridge Cognitive Examination-Revised, ReyAuditory Verbal Learning Test, Controlled Oral Word Association Test and a computerised cognitive assessment package namely CogState (CogState, Australia) at baseline and at 16 weeks post intervention.
Results: Primary nonparametric analysis using Wilcoxon signed rank test showed significant changes in RAVLT and CAMCOG-R scores in all four groups at 16 week post intervention. However, there was significant increase in plasma Aβ40 levels in PA group (P = 0.001), increase in Aβ42 levels in PA (P = 0.003) and CS (P = 0.031) group and a trend towards an increase in plasma BDNF levels in the combined group (P = 0.090) only at 16 week post intervention.
Conclusions: Exercise physical or mental improves cognition. PA alters plasma Aβ40 and Aβ42 levels whereas a combination of PA and CS increases plasma BDNF levels. This study provides further insight into how PA and CS benefit cognition by impacting on relevant blood biomarkers.
Methods: 221 healthy community-dwelling older adults (MMSE>24) aged 50 to 85 years were randomized into a PA group, a CS group, a combination of PA+CSgroup and a no contact control group. The intervention consisted of 16 weeks of home based physical activity program under the supervision of exercise physiologists that included 3 days/week of walking for 60 minutes/day with 2 days/week of resistance training and brain training included use of two computerized software programs (Posit Science, USA) for 5 days/week for 60 minutes /day for duration of 16 weeks. All individuals were genotyped for APOE, assayed for plasma Aβ40, Aβ42, BDNF. Subjects also underwent a battery of neuropsychological tests that included Cambridge Cognitive Examination-Revised, ReyAuditory Verbal Learning Test, Controlled Oral Word Association Test and a computerised cognitive assessment package namely CogState (CogState, Australia) at baseline and at 16 weeks post intervention.
Results: Primary nonparametric analysis using Wilcoxon signed rank test showed significant changes in RAVLT and CAMCOG-R scores in all four groups at 16 week post intervention. However, there was significant increase in plasma Aβ40 levels in PA group (P = 0.001), increase in Aβ42 levels in PA (P = 0.003) and CS (P = 0.031) group and a trend towards an increase in plasma BDNF levels in the combined group (P = 0.090) only at 16 week post intervention.
Conclusions: Exercise physical or mental improves cognition. PA alters plasma Aβ40 and Aβ42 levels whereas a combination of PA and CS increases plasma BDNF levels. This study provides further insight into how PA and CS benefit cognition by impacting on relevant blood biomarkers.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Article number | P1-129 |
| Pages (from-to) | P151 |
| Number of pages | 1 |
| Journal | Alzheimer's & Dementia |
| Volume | 8 |
| Issue number | 4S Part 4 |
| DOIs | |
| Publication status | Published - Jul 2012 |
| Externally published | Yes |
| Event | Alzheimer's Association International Conference 2012 - Vancouver, Canada Duration: 14 Jul 2012 → 19 Jul 2012 |