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Cui L, Li S, Wang S, Wu X, Liu Y, Yu W, Wang Y, Tang Y, Xia M, Li B. Major depressive disorder: hypothesis, mechanism, prevention and treatment. Signal Transduct Target Ther 2024; 9:30. [PMID: 38331979 PMCID: PMC10853571 DOI: 10.1038/s41392-024-01738-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/20/2023] [Revised: 12/24/2023] [Accepted: 12/28/2023] [Indexed: 02/10/2024] Open
Abstract
Worldwide, the incidence of major depressive disorder (MDD) is increasing annually, resulting in greater economic and social burdens. Moreover, the pathological mechanisms of MDD and the mechanisms underlying the effects of pharmacological treatments for MDD are complex and unclear, and additional diagnostic and therapeutic strategies for MDD still are needed. The currently widely accepted theories of MDD pathogenesis include the neurotransmitter and receptor hypothesis, hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis hypothesis, cytokine hypothesis, neuroplasticity hypothesis and systemic influence hypothesis, but these hypothesis cannot completely explain the pathological mechanism of MDD. Even it is still hard to adopt only one hypothesis to completely reveal the pathogenesis of MDD, thus in recent years, great progress has been made in elucidating the roles of multiple organ interactions in the pathogenesis MDD and identifying novel therapeutic approaches and multitarget modulatory strategies, further revealing the disease features of MDD. Furthermore, some newly discovered potential pharmacological targets and newly studied antidepressants have attracted widespread attention, some reagents have even been approved for clinical treatment and some novel therapeutic methods such as phototherapy and acupuncture have been discovered to have effective improvement for the depressive symptoms. In this work, we comprehensively summarize the latest research on the pathogenesis and diagnosis of MDD, preventive approaches and therapeutic medicines, as well as the related clinical trials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lulu Cui
- Department of Forensic Analytical Toxicology, School of Forensic Medicine, China Medical University, Shenyang, China
- Liaoning Province Key Laboratory of Forensic Bio-evidence Sciences, Shenyang, China
- China Medical University Centre of Forensic Investigation, Shenyang, China
| | - Shu Li
- Department of Forensic Analytical Toxicology, School of Forensic Medicine, China Medical University, Shenyang, China
- Liaoning Province Key Laboratory of Forensic Bio-evidence Sciences, Shenyang, China
- China Medical University Centre of Forensic Investigation, Shenyang, China
| | - Siman Wang
- Department of Forensic Analytical Toxicology, School of Forensic Medicine, China Medical University, Shenyang, China
- Liaoning Province Key Laboratory of Forensic Bio-evidence Sciences, Shenyang, China
- China Medical University Centre of Forensic Investigation, Shenyang, China
| | - Xiafang Wu
- Department of Forensic Analytical Toxicology, School of Forensic Medicine, China Medical University, Shenyang, China
- Liaoning Province Key Laboratory of Forensic Bio-evidence Sciences, Shenyang, China
- China Medical University Centre of Forensic Investigation, Shenyang, China
| | - Yingyu Liu
- Department of Forensic Analytical Toxicology, School of Forensic Medicine, China Medical University, Shenyang, China
- Liaoning Province Key Laboratory of Forensic Bio-evidence Sciences, Shenyang, China
- China Medical University Centre of Forensic Investigation, Shenyang, China
| | - Weiyang Yu
- Department of Forensic Analytical Toxicology, School of Forensic Medicine, China Medical University, Shenyang, China
- Liaoning Province Key Laboratory of Forensic Bio-evidence Sciences, Shenyang, China
- China Medical University Centre of Forensic Investigation, Shenyang, China
| | - Yijun Wang
- Department of Forensic Analytical Toxicology, School of Forensic Medicine, China Medical University, Shenyang, China
- Liaoning Province Key Laboratory of Forensic Bio-evidence Sciences, Shenyang, China
- China Medical University Centre of Forensic Investigation, Shenyang, China
| | - Yong Tang
- International Joint Research Centre on Purinergic Signalling/Key Laboratory of Acupuncture for Senile Disease (Chengdu University of TCM), Ministry of Education/School of Health and Rehabilitation, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine/Acupuncture and Chronobiology Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, Chengdu, China
| | - Maosheng Xia
- Department of Orthopaedics, The First Hospital, China Medical University, Shenyang, China.
| | - Baoman Li
- Department of Forensic Analytical Toxicology, School of Forensic Medicine, China Medical University, Shenyang, China.
- Liaoning Province Key Laboratory of Forensic Bio-evidence Sciences, Shenyang, China.
- China Medical University Centre of Forensic Investigation, Shenyang, China.
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Effects of acute exercise on memory: Considerations of exercise intensity, post-exercise recovery period and aerobic endurance. Mem Cognit 2022; 51:1011-1026. [PMID: 36401115 PMCID: PMC9676734 DOI: 10.3758/s13421-022-01373-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 11/06/2022] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
Accumulating research demonstrates that acute exercise can enhance long-term episodic memory. However, it is unclear if there is an intensity-specific effect of acute exercise on long-term episodic memory function and whether this is influenced by the post-exercise recovery period, which was the primary objective of this experiment. Another uncertainty in the literature is whether aerobic endurance influences the interaction between exercise intensity and post-exercise recovery period on long-term episodic memory function, which was a secondary objective of this study. With exercise intensity and post-exercise recovery period occurring as within-subject factors, and fitness as a between-subject factor, 59 participants (Mage = 20 years) completed 12 primary laboratory visits. These visits included a 20-min bout of exercise (Control, Moderate, and Vigorous), followed by a recovery period (1, 5, 10, and 15 min) and then a word-list episodic memory task, involving an encoding phase and two long-term recall assessments (20-min and 24-h delayed recall). The primary finding from this experiment was that moderate and vigorous-intensity exercise improved memory function when compared to a non-exercise control. A secondary finding was that individuals with higher levels of aerobic endurance, compared to their lesser fit counterparts, had greater memory performance after exercise (moderate or vigorous) when compared to after a control condition. Additionally, individuals with higher levels of aerobic endurance, compared to their lesser fit counterparts, generally performed better on the memory task with longer post-exercise recovery periods. Future research should carefully consider these parameters when evaluating the effects of acute exercise on long-term episodic memory.
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Chang YK, Erickson KI, Aghjayan SL, Chen FT, Li RH, Shih JR, Chang SH, Huang CM, Chu CH. The multi-domain exercise intervention for memory and brain function in late middle-aged and older adults at risk for Alzheimer's disease: A protocol for Western-Eastern Brain Fitness Integration Training trial. Front Aging Neurosci 2022; 14:929789. [PMID: 36062144 PMCID: PMC9435311 DOI: 10.3389/fnagi.2022.929789] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/27/2022] [Accepted: 07/13/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Aging is associated with cognitive decline, increased risk for dementia, and deterioration of brain function. Modifiable lifestyle factors (e.g., exercise, meditation, and social interaction) have been proposed to benefit memory and brain function. However, previous studies have focused on a single exercise modality or a single lifestyle factor. Consequently, the effect of a more comprehensive exercise program that combines multiple exercise modalities and lifestyle factors, as well as examines potential mediators and moderators, on cognitive function and brain health in late middle-aged and older adults remains understudied. This study's primary aim is to examine the effect of a multi-domain exercise intervention on memory and brain function in cognitively healthy late middle-aged and older adults. In addition, we will examine whether apolipoprotein E (ApoE) genotypes, physical fitness (i.e., cardiovascular fitness, body composition, muscular fitness, flexibility, balance, and power), and brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) moderate and mediate the exercise intervention effects on memory and brain function. Methods The Western-Eastern Brain Fitness Integration Training (WE-BFit) is a single-blinded, double-arm, 6-month randomized controlled trial. One hundred cognitively healthy adults, aged 45-70 years, with different risks for Alzheimer's disease (i.e., ApoE genotype) will be recruited and randomized into either a multi-domain exercise group or an online educational course control group. The exercise intervention consists of one 90-min on-site and several online sessions up to 60 min per week for 6 months. Working memory, episodic memory, physical fitness, and BDNF will be assessed before and after the 6-month intervention. The effects of the WE-BFit on memory and brain function will be described and analyzed. We will further examine how ApoE genotype and changes in physical fitness and BDNF affect the effects of the intervention. Discussion WE-BFit is designed to improve memory and brain function using a multi-domain exercise intervention. The results will provide insight into the implementation of an exercise intervention with multiple domains to preserve memory and brain function in adults with genetic risk levels for Alzheimer's disease. Clinical trial registration ClinicalTrials.gov, identifier: NCT05068271.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yu-Kai Chang
- Department of Physical Education and Sport Sciences, National Taiwan Normal University, Taipei, Taiwan
- Institute for Research Excellence in Learning Science, National Taiwan Normal University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Kirk I. Erickson
- Department of Psychology, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, United States
- AdventHealth Research Institute, Neuroscience Institute, Orlando, FL, United States
| | - Sarah L. Aghjayan
- Department of Psychology, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, United States
| | - Feng-Tzu Chen
- Department of Sport Medicine, China Medical University, Taichung, Taiwan
| | - Ruei-Hong Li
- Department of Physical Education and Sport Sciences, National Taiwan Normal University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Jia-Ru Shih
- Department of Physical Education and Sport Sciences, National Taiwan Normal University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Shao-Hsi Chang
- Department of Physical Education and Sport Sciences, National Taiwan Normal University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Chih-Mao Huang
- Department of Biological Science and Technology, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Hsinchu, Taiwan
| | - Chien-Heng Chu
- Department of Physical Education and Sport Sciences, National Taiwan Normal University, Taipei, Taiwan
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Erickson KI, Donofry SD, Sewell KR, Brown BM, Stillman CM. Cognitive Aging and the Promise of Physical Activity. Annu Rev Clin Psychol 2022; 18:417-442. [PMID: 35044793 DOI: 10.1146/annurev-clinpsy-072720-014213] [Citation(s) in RCA: 46] [Impact Index Per Article: 23.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
Is the field of cognitive aging irretrievably concerned with decline and deficits, or is it shifting to emphasize the hope of preservation and enhancement of cognitive function in late life? A fragment of an answer comes from research attempting to understand the reasons for individual variability in the extent and rate of cognitive decline. This body of work has created a sense of optimism based on evidence that there are some health behaviors that amplify cognitive performance or mitigate the rate of age-related cognitive decline. In this context, we discuss the role of physical activity on neurocognitive function in late adulthood and summarize how it can be conceptualized as a constructive approach both for the maintenance of cognitive function and as a therapeutic for enhancing or optimizing cognitive function in late life. In this way, physical activity research can be used to shape perceptions of cognitive aging. Expected final online publication date for the Annual Review of Clinical Psychology, Volume 18 is May 2022. Please see http://www.annualreviews.org/page/journal/pubdates for revised estimates.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kirk I Erickson
- Department of Psychology and Center for the Neural Basis of Cognition, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; .,Centre for Healthy Ageing, Health Futures Institute, Murdoch University, Perth, Western Australia, Australia.,PROFITH "PROmoting FITness and Health through physical activity" Research Group, Department of Physical Education and Sports, Faculty of Sport Sciences, University of Granada, Granada, Spain
| | - Shannon D Donofry
- Department of Psychology and Center for the Neural Basis of Cognition, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; .,Psychiatry and Behavioral Health Institute, Allegheny Health Network, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
| | - Kelsey R Sewell
- Centre for Healthy Ageing, Health Futures Institute, Murdoch University, Perth, Western Australia, Australia
| | - Belinda M Brown
- Centre for Healthy Ageing, Health Futures Institute, Murdoch University, Perth, Western Australia, Australia
| | - Chelsea M Stillman
- Department of Psychology and Center for the Neural Basis of Cognition, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA;
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5
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Acute and Chronic Exercise Effects on Human Memory: What We Know and Where to Go from Here. J Clin Med 2021; 10:jcm10214812. [PMID: 34768329 PMCID: PMC8584999 DOI: 10.3390/jcm10214812] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/03/2021] [Accepted: 10/03/2021] [Indexed: 01/23/2023] Open
Abstract
Although the acquisition, storage, and retrieval of memories was once thought to happen within a single memory system with multiple processes operating on it, it is now believed that memory is comprised of both distinct and interacting brain systems [...].
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Aghjayan SL, Lesnovskaya A, Esteban-Cornejo I, Peven JC, Stillman CM, Erickson KI. Aerobic exercise, cardiorespiratory fitness, and the human hippocampus. Hippocampus 2021; 31:817-844. [PMID: 34101305 PMCID: PMC8295234 DOI: 10.1002/hipo.23337] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/13/2020] [Revised: 04/22/2021] [Accepted: 04/25/2021] [Indexed: 01/27/2023]
Abstract
The hippocampus is particularly susceptible to neurodegeneration. Physical activity, specifically increasing cardiorespiratory fitness via aerobic exercise, shows promise as a potential method for mitigating hippocampal decline in humans. Numerous studies have now investigated associations between the structure and function of the hippocampus and engagement in physical activity. Still, there remains continued debate and confusion about the relationship between physical activity and the human hippocampus. In this review, we describe the current state of the physical activity and exercise literature as it pertains to the structure and function of the human hippocampus, focusing on four magnetic resonance imaging measures: volume, diffusion tensor imaging, resting-state functional connectivity, and perfusion. We conclude that, despite significant heterogeneity in study methods, populations of interest, and scope, there are consistent positive findings, suggesting a promising role for physical activity in promoting hippocampal structure and function throughout the lifespan.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarah L Aghjayan
- Department of Psychology, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA.,Center for the Neural Basis of Cognition, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Alina Lesnovskaya
- Department of Psychology, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA.,Center for the Neural Basis of Cognition, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Irene Esteban-Cornejo
- PROFITH "PROmoting FITness and Health Through Physical Activity" Research Group, Sport and Health University Research Institute (iMUDS), Department of Physical Education and Sports, Faculty of Sport Sciences, University of Granada, Granada, Spain.,College of Science, Health, Engineering, and Education, Murdoch University, Perth, Western Australia
| | - Jamie C Peven
- Department of Psychology, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA.,Center for the Neural Basis of Cognition, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Chelsea M Stillman
- Department of Psychology, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Kirk I Erickson
- Department of Psychology, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA.,Center for the Neural Basis of Cognition, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA.,College of Science, Health, Engineering, and Education, Murdoch University, Perth, Western Australia
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Kaiser A, Reneman L, Solleveld MM, Coolen BF, Scherder EJA, Knutsson L, Bjørnerud A, van Osch MJP, Wijnen JP, Lucassen PJ, Schrantee A. A Randomized Controlled Trial on the Effects of a 12-Week High- vs. Low-Intensity Exercise Intervention on Hippocampal Structure and Function in Healthy, Young Adults. Front Psychiatry 2021; 12:780095. [PMID: 35126199 PMCID: PMC8814653 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2021.780095] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/20/2021] [Accepted: 12/08/2021] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Physical exercise affects hippocampal structure and function, but the underlying neural mechanisms and the effects of exercise intensity remain incompletely understood. Therefore, we undertook a comprehensive, multi-modal 3T and 7T MRI randomized controlled trial (Netherlands Trial Register - NL5847) in which we randomized 52 young, non-athletic volunteers to a 12-week low- or high-intensity exercise program. Using state-of-the-art methods, we investigated changes in hippocampal volume, as well as changes in vasculature, neuro-metabolites, and peripheral growth factors as potential underpinnings. Cardiorespiratory fitness improved over time (p < 0.001), but no interaction with exercise intensity was found (p = 0.48). Accordingly, we did not observe significant interactions between exercise condition and time on MRI measures (all p > 0.06). However, we found a significant decrease in right hippocampal volume (p < 0.01), an increase in left hippocampal glutathione (p < 0.01), and a decrease of left hippocampal cerebral blood volume (p = 0.01) over time, regardless of exercise condition. Additional exploratory analyses showed that changes in brain-derived neurotrophic factor (p = 0.01), insulin-like growth-factor (p = 0.03), and dorsal anterior cingulate cortex N-acetyl-aspartate levels (p = 0.01) were positively associated with cardiorespiratory fitness changes. Furthermore, a trend toward a positive association of fitness and gray-matter cerebral blood flow (p = 0.06) was found. Our results do not provide evidence for differential effects between high-intensity (aerobic) and low-intensity (toning) exercise on hippocampal structure and function in young adults. However, we show small but significant effects of exercise on hippocampal volume, neurometabolism and vasculature across exercise conditions. Moreover, our exploratory results suggest that exercise might not specifically only benefit hippocampal structure and function, but rather has a more widespread effect. These findings suggest that, in agreement with previous MRI studies demonstrating moderate to strong effects in elderly and diseased populations, but none to only mild effects in young healthy cohorts, the benefits of exercise on the studied brain measures may be age-dependent and restorative rather than stimulatory. Our study highlights the importance of a multi-modal, whole-brain approach to assess macroscopic and microscopic changes underlying exercise-induced brain changes, to better understand the role of exercise as a potential non-pharmacological intervention.
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Affiliation(s)
- Antonia Kaiser
- Department of Radiology and Nuclear Medicine, Amsterdam University Medical Center, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, Netherlands
| | - Liesbeth Reneman
- Department of Radiology and Nuclear Medicine, Amsterdam University Medical Center, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, Netherlands
| | - Michelle M Solleveld
- Department of Radiology and Nuclear Medicine, Amsterdam University Medical Center, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, Netherlands
| | - Bram F Coolen
- Department of Biomedical Engineering and Physics, Amsterdam University Medical Centers, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, Netherlands
| | - Erik J A Scherder
- Department of Clinical Neuropsychology, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam, Netherlands
| | - Linda Knutsson
- Russell H. Morgan Department of Radiology and Radiological Science, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, United States.,Department of Medical Radiation Physics, Lund University, Lund, Sweden.,F.M. Kirby Research Center for Functional Brain Imaging, Kennedy Krieger Institute, Baltimore, MD, United States
| | - Atle Bjørnerud
- Department of Diagnostic Physics, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway.,Department of Physics, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
| | | | - Jannie P Wijnen
- Department of Radiology, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, Netherlands
| | - Paul J Lucassen
- Swammerdam Institute for Life Sciences, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, Netherlands.,Center for Urban Mental Health, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, Netherlands
| | - Anouk Schrantee
- Department of Radiology and Nuclear Medicine, Amsterdam University Medical Center, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, Netherlands.,Center for Urban Mental Health, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, Netherlands
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Eisenstein T, Yogev-Seligmann G, Ash E, Giladi N, Sharon H, Shapira-Lichter I, Nachman S, Hendler T, Lerner Y. Maximal aerobic capacity is associated with hippocampal cognitive reserve in older adults with amnestic mild cognitive impairment. Hippocampus 2020; 31:305-320. [PMID: 33314497 DOI: 10.1002/hipo.23290] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/12/2020] [Revised: 09/03/2020] [Accepted: 11/28/2020] [Indexed: 01/03/2023]
Abstract
Maximal aerobic capacity (MAC) has been associated with preserved neural tissue or brain maintenance (BM) in healthy older adults, including the hippocampus. Amnestic mild cognitive impairment (aMCI) is considered a prodromal stage of Alzheimer's disease. While aMCI is characterized by hippocampal deterioration, the MAC-hippocampal relationship in these patients is not well understood. In contrast to healthy individuals, neurocognitive protective effects in neurodegenerative populations have been associated with mechanisms of cognitive reserve (CR) altering the neuropathology-cognition relationship. We investigated the MAC-hippocampal relationship in aMCI (n = 29) from the perspectives of BM and CR mechanistic models with structural MRI and a memory fMRI paradigm using both group-level (higher-fit patients vs. lower-fit patients) and individual level (continuous correlation) approaches. While MAC was associated with smaller hippocampal volume, contradicting the BM model, higher-fit patients demonstrated statistically significant lower correlation between hippocampal volume and memory performance compared with the lower-fit patients, supporting the model of CR. In addition, while there was no difference in brain activity between the groups during low cognitive demand (encoding of familiar stimuli), higher MAC level was associated with increased cortical and sub-cortical activation during increased cognitive demand (encoding of novel stimuli) and also with bilateral hippocampal activity even when controlling for hippocampal volume, suggesting for an independent effect of MAC. Our results suggest that MAC may be associated with hippocampal-related cognitive reserve in aMCI through altering the relationship between hippocampal-related structural deterioration and cognitive function. In addition, MAC was found to be associated with increased capacity to recruit neural resources during increased cognitive demands.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tamir Eisenstein
- Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel.,Sagol Brain Institute, Tel Aviv Sourasky Medical Center, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Galit Yogev-Seligmann
- Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel.,Sagol Brain Institute, Tel Aviv Sourasky Medical Center, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Elissa Ash
- Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel.,Department of Neurology, Tel Aviv Sourasky Medical Center, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Nir Giladi
- Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel.,Department of Neurology, Tel Aviv Sourasky Medical Center, Tel Aviv, Israel.,Sagol School of Neuroscience, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Haggai Sharon
- Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel.,Sagol Brain Institute, Tel Aviv Sourasky Medical Center, Tel Aviv, Israel.,Pain Management & Neuromodulation Centre, Guy's & St Thomas' NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK.,Institute of Pain Medicine, Department of Anesthesiology and Critical Care Medicine, Tel Aviv Sourasky Medical Center, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Irit Shapira-Lichter
- Functional MRI Center, Beilinson Hospital, Rabin Medical Center, Petah Tikva, Israel
| | - Shikma Nachman
- Sagol Brain Institute, Tel Aviv Sourasky Medical Center, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Talma Hendler
- Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel.,Sagol Brain Institute, Tel Aviv Sourasky Medical Center, Tel Aviv, Israel.,Sagol School of Neuroscience, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel.,School of Psychological Sciences, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Yulia Lerner
- Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel.,Sagol Brain Institute, Tel Aviv Sourasky Medical Center, Tel Aviv, Israel.,Sagol School of Neuroscience, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
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Best JR, Dao E, Churchill R, Cosco TD. Associations Between Physical Fitness and Brain Structure in Young Adulthood. Front Psychol 2020; 11:608049. [PMID: 33281692 PMCID: PMC7705380 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2020.608049] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/18/2020] [Accepted: 10/30/2020] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
A comprehensive analysis of associations between physical fitness and brain structure in young adulthood is lacking, and further, it is unclear the degree to which associations between physical fitness and brain health can be attributed to a common genetic pathway or to environmental factors that jointly influences physical fitness and brain health. This study examined genotype-confirmed monozygotic and dizygotic twins, along with non-twin full-siblings to estimate the contribution of genetic and environmental factors to variation within, and covariation between, physical fitness and brain structure. Participants were 1,065 young adults between the ages of 22 and 36 from open-access Young Adult Human Connectome Project (YA-HCP). Physical fitness was assessed by submaximal endurance (2-min walk test), grip strength, and body mass index. Brain structure was assessed using magnetic resonance imaging on a Siemens 3T customized 'Connectome Skyra' at Washington University in St. Louis, using a 32-channel Siemens head coil. Acquired T1-weighted images provided measures of cortical surface area and thickness, and subcortical volume following processing by the YA-HCP structural FreeSurfer pipeline. Diffusion weighted imaging was acquired to assess white matter tract integrity, as measured by fractional anisotropy, following processing by the YA-HCP diffusion pipeline and tensor fit. Following correction for multiple testing, body mass index was negatively associated with fractional anisotropy in various white matter regions of interest (all | z| statistics > 3.9) and positively associated with cortical thickness within the right superior parietal lobe (z statistic = 4.6). Performance-based measures of fitness (i.e., endurance and grip strength) were not associated with any structural neuroimaging markers. Behavioral genetic analysis suggested that heritability of white matter integrity varied by region, but consistently explained >50% of the phenotypic variation. Heritability of right superior parietal thickness was large (∼75% variation). Heritability of body mass index was also fairly large (∼60% variation). Generally, 1 2 to 2 3 of the correlation between brain structure and body mass index could be attributed to heritability effects. Overall, this study suggests that greater body mass index is associated with lower white matter integrity, which may be due to common genetic effects that impact body composition and white matter integrity.
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Affiliation(s)
- John R. Best
- Gerontology Research Centre, Simon Fraser University, Vancouver, BC, Canada
- Department of Gerontology, Simon Fraser University, Vancouver, BC, Canada
- Department of Psychiatry, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Elizabeth Dao
- Department of Radiology, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Ryan Churchill
- Department of Gerontology, Simon Fraser University, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Theodore D. Cosco
- Gerontology Research Centre, Simon Fraser University, Vancouver, BC, Canada
- Department of Gerontology, Simon Fraser University, Vancouver, BC, Canada
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