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Palmer JA, Whitaker AA, Payne AM, Bartsch BL, Reisman DS, Boyne PE, Billinger SA. Aerobic Exercise Improves Cortical Inhibitory Function After Stroke: A Preliminary Investigation. J Neurol Phys Ther 2024; 48:83-93. [PMID: 37436187 PMCID: PMC10776819 DOI: 10.1097/npt.0000000000000453] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/13/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE Aerobic exercise can elicit positive effects on neuroplasticity and cognitive executive function but is poorly understood after stroke. We tested the effect of 4 weeks of aerobic exercise training on inhibitory and facilitatory elements of cognitive executive function and electroencephalography markers of cortical inhibition and facilitation. We investigated relationships between stimulus-evoked cortical responses, blood lactate levels during training, and aerobic fitness postintervention. METHODS Twelve individuals with chronic (>6 months) stroke completed an aerobic exercise intervention (40 minutes, 3×/wk). Electroencephalography and motor response times were assessed during congruent (response facilitation) and incongruent (response inhibition) stimuli of a Flanker task. Aerobic fitness capacity was assessed as o2peak during a treadmill test pre- and postintervention. Blood lactate was assessed acutely (<1 minute) after exercise each week. Cortical inhibition (N2) and facilitation (frontal P3) were quantified as peak amplitudes and latencies of stimulus-evoked electroencephalographic activity over the frontal cortical region. RESULTS Following exercise training, the response inhibition speed increased while response facilitation remained unchanged. A relationship between earlier cortical N2 response and faster response inhibition emerged postintervention. Individuals who produced higher lactate during exercise training achieved faster response inhibition and tended to show earlier cortical N2 responses postintervention. There were no associations between o2peak and metrics of behavioral or neurophysiologic function. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSIONS These preliminary findings provide novel evidence for selective benefits of aerobic exercise on inhibitory control during the initial 4-week period after initiation of exercise training and implicate a potential therapeutic effect of lactate on poststroke inhibitory control.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jacqueline A Palmer
- Department of Neurology (J.A.P., S.A.B.), School of Medicine, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City; University of Kansas Alzheimer's Disease Research Center (J.A.P., S.A.B.), Fairway; Department of Physical Therapy, Rehabilitation Science, and Athletic Training (A.A.W., B.L.B.), University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City; Department of Psychology (A.M.P.), College of Arts and Sciences, Florida State University, Tallahassee; Department of Physical Therapy (D.S.R.), College of Health Sciences, University of Delaware, Newark; and Department of Rehabilitation, Exercise and Nutrition Sciences (P.E.B.), College of Allied Health Sciences, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, Ohio
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Palmer JA, Morris JK, Billinger SA, Lepping RJ, Martin L, Green Z, Vidoni ED. Hippocampal blood flow rapidly and preferentially increases after a bout of moderate-intensity exercise in older adults with poor cerebrovascular health. Cereb Cortex 2023; 33:5297-5306. [PMID: 36255379 PMCID: PMC10152056 DOI: 10.1093/cercor/bhac418] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/15/2022] [Revised: 09/02/2022] [Accepted: 09/25/2022] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Over the course of aging, there is an early degradation of cerebrovascular health, which may be attenuated with aerobic exercise training. Yet, the acute cerebrovascular response to a single bout of exercise remains elusive, particularly within key brain regions most affected by age-related disease processes. We investigated the acute global and region-specific cerebral blood flow (CBF) response to 15 minutes of moderate-intensity aerobic exercise in older adults (≥65 years; n = 60) using arterial spin labeling magnetic resonance imaging. Within 0-6 min post-exercise, CBF decreased across all regions, an effect that was attenuated in the hippocampus. The exercise-induced CBF drop was followed by a rebound effect over the 24-minute postexercise assessment period, an effect that was most robust in the hippocampus. Individuals with low baseline perfusion demonstrated the greatest hippocampal-specific CBF effect post-exercise, showing no immediate drop and a rapid increase in CBF that exceeded baseline levels within 6-12 minutes postexercise. Gains in domain-specific cognitive performance postexercise were not associated with changes in regional CBF, suggesting dissociable effects of exercise on acute neural and vascular plasticity. Together, the present findings support a precision-medicine framework for the use of exercise to target brain health that carefully considers age-related changes in the cerebrovascular system.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jacqueline A Palmer
- Department of Neurology, School of Medicine, University of Kansas Medical Center, 3901 Rainbow Blvd, Kansas City, KS, 66160, United States
| | - Jill K Morris
- Department of Physical Therapy, Rehabilitation Science, and Athletic Training, School of Health Professions, University of Kansas Medical Center, 3901 Rainbow Blvd. Kansas City, KS, 66160, United States
- University of Kansas Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center, 4350 Shawnee Mission Parkway, Fairway, KS, 66205, United States
| | - Sandra A Billinger
- Department of Neurology, School of Medicine, University of Kansas Medical Center, 3901 Rainbow Blvd, Kansas City, KS, 66160, United States
- University of Kansas Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center, 4350 Shawnee Mission Parkway, Fairway, KS, 66205, United States
- Department of Molecular & Integrative Physiology, University of Kansas Medical Center, 3901 Rainbow Blvd., Kansas City, KS, 66160, United States
| | - Rebecca J Lepping
- Department of Physical Therapy, Rehabilitation Science, and Athletic Training, School of Health Professions, University of Kansas Medical Center, 3901 Rainbow Blvd. Kansas City, KS, 66160, United States
| | - Laura Martin
- University of Kansas Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center, 4350 Shawnee Mission Parkway, Fairway, KS, 66205, United States
| | - Zachary Green
- Department of Physical Therapy, Rehabilitation Science, and Athletic Training, School of Health Professions, University of Kansas Medical Center, 3901 Rainbow Blvd. Kansas City, KS, 66160, United States
- University of Kansas Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center, 4350 Shawnee Mission Parkway, Fairway, KS, 66205, United States
| | - Eric D Vidoni
- University of Kansas Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center, 4350 Shawnee Mission Parkway, Fairway, KS, 66205, United States
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Cognitive and Physical Intervention in Metals’ Dysfunction and Neurodegeneration. Brain Sci 2022; 12:brainsci12030345. [PMID: 35326301 PMCID: PMC8946530 DOI: 10.3390/brainsci12030345] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/04/2022] [Revised: 02/20/2022] [Accepted: 02/23/2022] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Metals—especially iron, copper and manganese—are important elements of brain functions and development. Metal-dysregulation homeostasis is associated with brain-structure damage to the motor, cognitive and emotional systems, and leads to neurodegenerative processes. There is more and more evidence that specialized cognitive and motor exercises can enhance brain function and attenuate neurodegeneration in mechanisms, such as improving neuroplasticity by altering the synaptic structure and function in many brain regions. Psychological and physical methods of rehabilitation are now becoming increasingly important, as pharmacological treatments for movement, cognitive and emotional symptoms are limited. The present study describes physical and cognitive rehabilitation methods of patients associated with metal-induced neurotoxicity such as Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, Huntington’s disease and Wilson’s disease. In our review, we describe physical (e.g., virtual-reality environments, robotic-assists training) and psychological (cognitive training, cognitive stimulation, neuropsychological rehabilitation and cognitive-behavioral and mindfulness-based therapies) methods, significantly improving the quality of life and independence of patients associated with storage diseases. Storage diseases are a diverse group of hereditary metabolic defects characterized by the abnormal cumulation of storage material in cells. This topic is being addressed due to the fact that rehabilitation plays a vital role in the treatment of neurodegenerative diseases. Unfortunately so far there are no specific guidelines concerning physiotherapy in neurodegenerative disorders, especially in regards to duration of exercise, type of exercise and intensity, as well as frequency of exercise. This is in part due to the variety of symptoms of these diseases and the various levels of disease progression. This further proves the need for more research to be carried out on the role of exercise in neurodegenerative disorder treatment.
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Cariati I, Bonanni R, Pallone G, Scimeca M, Frank C, Tancredi V, D’Arcangelo G. Hippocampal Adaptations to Continuous Aerobic Training: A Functional and Ultrastructural Evaluation in a Young Murine Model. J Funct Morphol Kinesiol 2021; 6:jfmk6040101. [PMID: 34940510 PMCID: PMC8706318 DOI: 10.3390/jfmk6040101] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/28/2021] [Revised: 11/24/2021] [Accepted: 12/06/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Aerobic training is known to influence cognitive processes, such as memory and learning, both in animal models and in humans. Particularly, in vitro and in vivo studies have shown that aerobic exercise can increase neurogenesis in the dentate gyrus, improve hippocampal long-term potentiation (LTP), and reduce age-related decline in mnemonic function. However, the underlying mechanisms are not yet fully understood. Based on this evidence, the aim of our study was to verify whether the application of two aerobic training protocols, different in terms of speed and speed variation, could modulate synaptic plasticity in a young murine model. Therefore, we assessed the presence of any functional changes by extracellular recordings in vitro in mouse hippocampal slices and structural alterations by transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Our results showed that an aerobic training protocol, well designed in terms of speed and speed variation, significantly contributes to improving synaptic plasticity and hippocampal ultrastructure, optimizing its benefits in the brain. Future studies will aim to clarify the underlying biological mechanisms involved in the modulation of synaptic plasticity induced by aerobic training.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ida Cariati
- Department of Clinical Sciences and Translational Medicine, “Tor Vergata” University of Rome, Via Montpellier 1, 00133 Rome, Italy;
- Correspondence:
| | - Roberto Bonanni
- Department of Clinical Sciences and Translational Medicine, “Tor Vergata” University of Rome, Via Montpellier 1, 00133 Rome, Italy;
| | - Gabriele Pallone
- Department of System Medicine, “Tor Vergata” University of Rome, Via Montpellier 1, 00133 Rome, Italy; (G.P.); (V.T.); (G.D.)
| | - Manuel Scimeca
- Department of Biomedicine and Prevention, “Tor Vergata” University of Rome, Via Montpellier 1, 00133 Rome, Italy;
| | - Claudio Frank
- UniCamillus-Saint Camillus International University of Health Sciences, Via di Sant’Alessandro 8, 00131 Rome, Italy;
| | - Virginia Tancredi
- Department of System Medicine, “Tor Vergata” University of Rome, Via Montpellier 1, 00133 Rome, Italy; (G.P.); (V.T.); (G.D.)
- Centre of Space Bio-Medicine, “Tor Vergata” University of Rome, Via Montpellier 1, 00133 Rome, Italy
| | - Giovanna D’Arcangelo
- Department of System Medicine, “Tor Vergata” University of Rome, Via Montpellier 1, 00133 Rome, Italy; (G.P.); (V.T.); (G.D.)
- Centre of Space Bio-Medicine, “Tor Vergata” University of Rome, Via Montpellier 1, 00133 Rome, Italy
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