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Cristi-Montero C, Johansen-Berg H, Salvan P. Multimodal neuroimaging correlates of physical-cognitive covariation in Chilean adolescents. The Cogni-Action Project. Dev Cogn Neurosci 2024; 66:101345. [PMID: 38277711 PMCID: PMC10832367 DOI: 10.1016/j.dcn.2024.101345] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/03/2023] [Revised: 10/19/2023] [Accepted: 01/13/2024] [Indexed: 01/28/2024] Open
Abstract
Health-related behaviours have been related to brain structural features. In developing settings, such as Latin America, high social inequality has been inversely associated with several health-related behaviours affecting brain development. Understanding the relationship between health behaviours and brain structure in such settings is particularly important during adolescence when critical habits are acquired and ingrained. In this cross-sectional study, we carry out a multimodal analysis identifying a brain region associated with health-related behaviours (i.e., adiposity, fitness, sleep problems and others) and cognitive/academic performance, independent of socioeconomic status in a large sample of Chilean adolescents. Our findings suggest that the relationship between health behaviours and cognitive/academic performance involves a particular brain phenotype that could play a mediator role. These findings fill a significant gap in the literature, which has largely focused on developed countries and raise the possibility of promoting healthy behaviours in adolescence as a means to influence brain structure and thereby cognitive/academic achievement, independently of socioeconomic factors. By highlighting the potential impact on brain structure and cognitive/academic achievement, policymakers could design interventions that are more effective in reducing health disparities in developing countries.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carlos Cristi-Montero
- Wellcome Centre for Integrative Neuroimaging, FMRIB Centre, Nuffield Department of Clinical Neurosciences, University of Oxford, John Radcliffe Hospital, Oxford OX3 9DU, United Kingdom; IRyS Group, Physical Education School, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Valparaíso, Valparaíso 2340025, Chile.
| | - Heidi Johansen-Berg
- Wellcome Centre for Integrative Neuroimaging, FMRIB Centre, Nuffield Department of Clinical Neurosciences, University of Oxford, John Radcliffe Hospital, Oxford OX3 9DU, United Kingdom
| | - Piergiorgio Salvan
- Wellcome Centre for Integrative Neuroimaging, FMRIB Centre, Nuffield Department of Clinical Neurosciences, University of Oxford, John Radcliffe Hospital, Oxford OX3 9DU, United Kingdom
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Drake JA, Jakicic JM, Rogers RJ, Aghjayan SL, Stillman CM, Donofry SD, Roecklein KA, Lang W, Erickson KI. Reduced brain activity during a working memory task in middle-aged apolipoprotein E ε4 carriers with overweight/obesity. Front Hum Neurosci 2022; 16:1001229. [PMID: 36504632 PMCID: PMC9732810 DOI: 10.3389/fnhum.2022.1001229] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/23/2022] [Accepted: 11/07/2022] [Indexed: 11/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Objective The apolipoprotein E ε4 (APOE ε4) allele and midlife obesity are independent risk factors for Alzheimer's disease (AD). Both of these risk factors are also associated with differences in brain activation, as measured by blood oxygenation level-dependent (BOLD) responses, in the absence of detectable cognitive deficits. Although the presence of these risk factors may influence brain activity during working memory tasks, no study to date has examined whether the presence of the ε4 allele explains variation in working memory brain activity while matching for levels of overweight/obesity. The primary aim of this study was to determine whether the presence of the ε4 allele is associated with differences in task-functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) brain activation in adults with overweight/obesity. We predicted that ε4 carriers would have greater brain activation in regions that support working memory. Methods This ancillary study included 48 (n = 24 APOE ε4 carriers; n = 24 APOE ε4 non-carriers), sedentary middle-aged adults (Mean age = 44.63 ± 8.36 years) with overweight/obesity (Mean BMI = 32.43 ± 4.12 kg/m2) who were matched on demographic characteristics. Participants were a subsample enrolled in 12-month randomized clinical trial examining the impact of energy-restricted diet and exercise on cardiovascular health outcomes. Participants completed a n-back working memory task with fMRI, which were completed within one month of the start of the intervention. Participants also underwent pseudo-continuous arterial spin labeling scans, a MRI measure of cerebral blood flow (CBF). Results Compared to non-ε4 carriers with overweight/obesity, ε4 carriers with overweight/obesity had lower fMRI brain activity in the middle frontal gyrus, pre and post central gyrus, supramarginal gyrus, superior temporal gyrus, lateral occipital cortex, and angular gyrus (z range = 2.52-3.56) during the n-back working memory task. Differences persisted even when controlling for CBF in these brain regions. Conclusion These results indicate that presence of the APOE ε4 allele in middle-aged adults with overweight/obesity is related to altered brain activity during a working memory paradigm, which may confer risk for accelerated neurocognitive decline in late adulthood. Future research is needed to clarify the clinical implications of these findings in the context of risk for AD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jermon A. Drake
- Department of Psychology, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, United States,Center for Neural Basis of Cognition, Carnegie Mellon University, Pittsburgh, PA, United States,*Correspondence: Jermon A. Drake,
| | - John M. Jakicic
- Division of Physical Activity and Weight Management, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, KS, United States
| | | | - Sarah L. Aghjayan
- Department of Psychology, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, United States,Center for Neural Basis of Cognition, Carnegie Mellon University, Pittsburgh, PA, United States
| | - Chelsea M. Stillman
- Department of Psychology, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, United States
| | - Shannon D. Donofry
- Department of Psychology, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, United States,Allegheny Health Network, Psychiatry and Behavioral Health Institute, Pittsburgh, PA, United States
| | - Kathryn A. Roecklein
- Department of Psychology, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, United States
| | - Wei Lang
- Center on Aging and Mobility, University Hospital Zurich, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Kirk I. Erickson
- Department of Psychology, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, United States,Center for Neural Basis of Cognition, Carnegie Mellon University, Pittsburgh, PA, United States,PROFITH “PROmoting FITness and Health Through Physical Activity” Research Group, Department of Physical and Sports Education, Faculty of Sport Sciences, Sport and Health University Research Institute (iMUDS), University of Granada, Granada, Spain,AdventHealth Research Institute, Neuroscience Institute, Orlando, FL, United States
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3
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Zimmerman B, Rypma B, Gratton G, Fabiani M. Age-related changes in cerebrovascular health and their effects on neural function and cognition: A comprehensive review. Psychophysiology 2021; 58:e13796. [PMID: 33728712 PMCID: PMC8244108 DOI: 10.1111/psyp.13796] [Citation(s) in RCA: 45] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/06/2020] [Revised: 01/11/2021] [Accepted: 02/08/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
The process of aging includes changes in cellular biology that affect local interactions between cells and their environments and eventually propagate to systemic levels. In the brain, where neurons critically depend on an efficient and dynamic supply of oxygen and glucose, age-related changes in the complex interaction between the brain parenchyma and the cerebrovasculature have effects on health and functioning that negatively impact cognition and play a role in pathology. Thus, cerebrovascular health is considered one of the main mechanisms by which a healthy lifestyle, such as habitual cardiorespiratory exercise and a healthful diet, could lead to improved cognitive outcomes with aging. This review aims at detailing how the physiology of the cerebral vascular system changes with age and how these changes lead to differential trajectories of cognitive maintenance or decline. This provides a framework for generating specific mechanistic hypotheses about the efficacy of proposed interventions and lifestyle covariates that contribute to enhanced cognitive well-being. Finally, we discuss the methodological implications of age-related changes in the cerebral vasculature for human cognitive neuroscience research and propose directions for future experiments aimed at investigating age-related changes in the relationship between physiology and cognitive mechanisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Benjamin Zimmerman
- Beckman Institute for Advanced Science and Technology, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL, USA
| | - Bart Rypma
- School of Behavioral and Brain Sciences, University of Texas at Dallas, Richardson, TX, USA
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA
| | - Gabriele Gratton
- Beckman Institute for Advanced Science and Technology, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL, USA
- Department of Psychology, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Champaign, IL, USA
- Neuroscience Program, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Champaign, IL, USA
| | - Monica Fabiani
- Beckman Institute for Advanced Science and Technology, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL, USA
- Department of Psychology, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Champaign, IL, USA
- Neuroscience Program, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Champaign, IL, USA
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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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Fabiani M, Rypma B, Gratton G. Aging and cerebrovascular health: Structural, functional, cognitive, and methodological implications. Psychophysiology 2021; 58:e13842. [PMID: 34021598 DOI: 10.1111/psyp.13842] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/28/2021] [Accepted: 04/28/2021] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Monica Fabiani
- Beckman Institute for Advanced Science and Technology, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL, USA.,Department of Psychology, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Champaign, IL, USA
| | - Bart Rypma
- School of Behavioral and Brain Sciences, University of Texas at Dallas, Richardson, TX, USA.,Department of Psychiatry, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA
| | - Gabriele Gratton
- Beckman Institute for Advanced Science and Technology, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL, USA.,Department of Psychology, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Champaign, IL, USA
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