<p>Exercise Training Induced Changes In Nuclear Magnetic Resonance-Measured Lipid Particles In Mild Cognitively Impaired Elderly African American Volunteers: A Pilot Study</p>

Abstract

PurposePoor cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF) is linked to cognitive deterioration, but its effects on lipid heterogeneity and functional properties in older African American (AA) subjects with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) need elucidation. This study determined whether exercise training-induced changes in blood lipid particle sizes (LPS) were associated with CRF determined by VO2Max in elderly AAs with MCI. Given the pivotal role of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) on glucose metabolism, and therefore, “diabetic dyslipidemia”, we also determined whether changes in LPS were associated with the levels of serum BDNF.MethodsThis analysis included 17 of the 29 randomized elderly AAs with MCI who had NMR data at baseline and after a 6-month training. We used Generalized Linear Regression (GLM) models to examine cardiorespiratory fitness (VO2Max) effects on training-induced change in LPS in the stretch and aerobic groups. Additionally, we determined whether the level of BDNF influenced change in LPS.ResultsCollectively, mean VO2Max (23.81±6.17) did not differ significantly between aerobic and stretch groups (difference=3.17±3.56, P=0.495). Training-related changes in very low-density lipoprotein, chylomicrons, and total low-density lipoprotein (LDL) particle sizes correlated significantly with VO2Max, but not after adjustment for age and gender. However, increased VO2Max significantly associated with reduced total LDL particle size after similar adjustments (P = 0.046). While stretch exercise associated with increased protective large high-density lipoprotein particle size, the overall effect was not sustained following adjustments for gender and age. However, changes in serum BDNF were associated with changes in triglyceride and cholesterol transport particle sizes (P < 0.051).ConclusionPromotion of stretch and aerobic exercise to increase CRF in elderly AA volunteers with MCI may also promote beneficial changes in lipoprotein particle profile. Because high BDNF concentration may reduce CVD risk, training-related improvements in BDNF levels are likely advantageous. Large randomized studies are needed to confirm our observations and to further elucidate the role for exercise therapy in reducing CVD risk in elderly AAs with MCI.

Effects of Aerobic Training on Brain Plasticity in Patients with Mild Cognitive Impairment: A Systematic Review of Randomized Controlled Trials

“…Five studies focused on the effect of aerobic training (four studies of running [ 12 , 17 , 26 , 27 ] and one study on walking [ 11 ]) on BDNF; two studies focused on the effect of running on hippocampus volume [ 28 , 29 ], and five studies included the effect of aerobic training (aerobic dance [ 13 , 30 ], Baduanjin exercise [ 31 ], and running [ 32 , 33 ]) on brain activity (e.g., event-related potential). The characteristics of the 12 studies regarding clinical characteristics, aerobic training protocol, and results are reported in Table 1 .…”

“…MCI diagnosis in two studies [ 17 , 31 ] was based on the Peterson diagnostic criteria for MCI [ 3 ], whereas 10 studies [ 4 , 11 , 12 , 13 , 26 , 28 , 30 , 32 , 33 ] used the neuropsychological test battery and clinical criteria for MCI [ 34 ]. Mini-Mental State Exam (MMSE) scores of MCI subjects were reported in only eight studies (between 21 and 30, see Table 1 ) [ 11 , 12 , 28 , 29 , 30 , 32 , 33 ], and Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) scores were reported in only five studies (between 19 and 25, see Table 1 ) [ 13 , 29 , 30 , 31 , 32 ]. The control groups were usual care only in six studies [ 4 , 11 , 13 , 29 , 30 , 32 ], stretch training in five studies [ 12 , 17 , 26 , 28 , 33 ], and usual physical activity in one study [ 31 ].…”

“…Mini-Mental State Exam (MMSE) scores of MCI subjects were reported in only eight studies (between 21 and 30, see Table 1 ) [ 11 , 12 , 28 , 29 , 30 , 32 , 33 ], and Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) scores were reported in only five studies (between 19 and 25, see Table 1 ) [ 13 , 29 , 30 , 31 , 32 ]. The control groups were usual care only in six studies [ 4 , 11 , 13 , 29 , 30 , 32 ], stretch training in five studies [ 12 , 17 , 26 , 28 , 33 ], and usual physical activity in one study [ 31 ]. In studies that reported BDNF levels [ 4 , 11 , 17 , 26 ], serum BDNF levels were quantitatively determined using the human BDNF ELISA kit (see Table 2 ).…”

“…The reviewed studies used running (eight studies), dance (two studies), walking (one study), and Baduanjin (one study) training (see Table 1 ); the two studies for running [ 12 , 26 ] had the same exercise training protocol, and two studies for aerobic dance [ 13 , 30 ] had the same exercise training protocol. The frequency of exercise sessions was three or four sessions per week in the studies.…”

“…No disease-modifying treatment for MCI exists yet, but efforts within the last decades have aimed at developing pharmacological therapies targeted at reducing cortical amyloid-þ (Aþ) and tau pathology, which are believed to be key in the pathogenesis of AD [ 10 ]. There is growing evidence that non-pharmacological interventions help in preserving personal autonomy, reducing neuropsychiatric symptoms, and improving the quality of life in MCI patients [ 11 , 12 , 13 ]. Moreover, the evolving literature has shown significant benefits of physical exercise, attenuating cognitive impairment, reducing dementia progression, and increasing brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and hippocampal plasticity [ 14 , 15 ].…”