Improvements in memory and brain functional connectivity in older adults with subjective cognitive complaints following multiple‐modality exercise and mind‐motor training: An exploratory sub‐study: Prevention (nonpharmacological) / Multidomain. (7th December 2020)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Silva, Narlon Cassio Boa Sorte; Gill, Dawn P; Nagamatsu, Lindsay; Owen, Adrian M; Petrella, Robert J
• Is Part Of: Alzheimer's & dementia. Volume 16(2020)Supplement 10
• Page Start: n/a
• Page End: n/a
• Publication Date: 2020-12-07
• Subjects: Alzheimer's disease -- Periodicals; Alzheimer Disease -- Periodicals; Dementia -- Periodicals; Démence; Maladie d'Alzheimer; Périodique électronique (Descripteur de forme); Ressource Internet (Descripteur de forme); 616.83
• DOI: 10.1002/alz.044196
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1552-5260

Abstract

Abstract: Background: Whether task‐based brain functional connectivity (FC) following exercise suggests adaptations in preferential brain regions is unclear. The objective of this study was to explore cognitive function and FC changes following multiple‐modality exercise and mind‐motor training in older adults with subjective cognitive complaints. Methods: We included older adults (n=127, mean age 67.5 [7.3] years, 71% women) randomized to 45 minutes of multiple‐modality exercise with 15 minutes of mind‐motor training (M4 group, n = 63) or an active control group (M2 group, n = 64). Both groups exercised 60 minutes/day, 3 days/week, for 24 weeks. Participants completed twelve cognitive tasks from the Cambridge Brain Sciences (CBS) battery at baseline and follow‐up (memory, reasoning, concentration and planning tasks). A subsample of participants from the M4 group (n = 9, mean age 67.8 [8.8] years, 8 women) also underwent 5 minutes of continuous fMRI data collection while completing four CBS memory tasks. Behavioural data were analyzed using linear mixed models for repeated measures, and paired samples t‐test. All fMRI data were analyzed using group‐level independent component denoising and dual regression procedures, correcting for voxel‐wise comparisons. Results: The M4 group showed greater improvements in the Paired Associates tasks compared to the M2 group at 24 weeks (mean difference: 0.47, 95% confidence interval: .08 to .86, p = 0.019). No other results were found to be significant. For our fMRI analysis, dual regression revealed significant decreased FC co‐activation in the right precentral/postcentral gyri after the exercise program during the Spatial Span task (corrected p = 0.008) with no change in the behavioural task performance. Only trends for changes in FC were found for the other tasks (all corrected p < 0.09). For the Paired Associates task, there was a trend for increased co‐activation in the right temporal lobe (Brodmann Area = 38, corrected p = 0.07), and left middle frontal temporal gyrus (corrected p = 0.06). Conclusions: Our findings provide insight into the potential of our multiple‐modality exercise and mind‐motor training intervention to promote improvements in behavioural measures of visuospatial memory, as well as, impart FC adaptations in brain regions relevant to Alzheimer's disease risk.