Increased Aerobic Fitness Is Associated with Cortical Thickness in Older Adults with Mild Vascular Cognitive Impairment

Abstract Aerobic training has been shown to be effective at improving cognitive and brain outcomes in older adults with mild subcortical ischemic vascular cognitive impairment (SIVCI). However, uncertainty remains regarding the underlying neurobiological mechanisms by which exercise elicits these improvements in cognition. Increased aberrant functional connectivity of the default mode network has been highlighted as a factor contributing to cognitive decline in older adults with cognitive impairment. Greater connectivity of the DMN at rest is associated with poorer performance on attention-demanding tasks, indicative of a lack of ability to deactivate the network on task. Our previous work on a randomized controlled trial of participants with mild SIVCI, demonstrated that 6-months of thrice weekly aerobic training led to improved global cognitive function, as measured by Alzheimer’s disease Assessment Scale-Cognitive subscale (ADAS-Cog), compared with a health education program. Thus, we conducted secondary analyses to investigate whether these changes in global cognitive function were associated with changes in resting state DMN connectivity. A subsample of 21 participants underwent a resting state functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) scan before and after trial completion. Change in resting state DMN connectivity was found to significantly predict change in ADAS-Cog score (β = -.442, p=.038) after controlling for age, intervention group, and baseline functional capacity (R2=.467, F(4,16)= 3.507, p=.031). These findings suggest that functional connectivity of the DMN may underlie changes in global cognitive function. Furthermore, aerobic exercise is a promising intervention by which to elicit these changes in older adults with mild SIVCI.

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Repeated Valsalva maneuvers promote symptomatic manifestations of cerebral microhemorrhages: implications for the pathogenesis of vascular cognitive impairment in older adults

GeroScience ◽

10.1007/s11357-018-0044-9 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 40 (5-6) ◽

pp. 485-496 ◽

Cited By ~ 9

Author(s):

Zoltan Ungvari ◽

Andriy Yabluchanskiy ◽

Stefano Tarantini ◽

Peter Toth ◽

Angelia C. Kirkpatrick ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Older Adults ◽

Cognitive Impairment ◽

Vascular Cognitive Impairment ◽

Cerebral Microhemorrhages

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The aging venous system: from varicosities to vascular cognitive impairment

GeroScience ◽

10.1007/s11357-021-00475-2 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Andrea Ágnes Molnár ◽

György László Nádasy ◽

Gabriella Dörnyei ◽

Bernadett Bettina Patai ◽

Jordan Delfavero ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Older Adults ◽

Cognitive Impairment ◽

Molecular Mechanisms ◽

Varicose Veins ◽

Critical Role ◽

Vascular Cognitive Impairment ◽

Venous System ◽

Potential Contribution ◽

Age Related ◽

Venous Diseases

Abstract Aging-induced pathological alterations of the circulatory system play a critical role in morbidity and mortality of older adults. While the importance of cellular and molecular mechanisms of arterial aging for increased cardiovascular risk in older adults is increasingly appreciated, aging processes of veins are much less studied and understood than those of arteries. In this review, age-related cellular and morphological alterations in the venous system are presented. Similarities and dissimilarities between arterial and venous aging are highlighted, and shared molecular mechanisms of arterial and venous aging are considered. The pathogenesis of venous diseases affecting older adults, including varicose veins, chronic venous insufficiency, and deep vein thrombosis, is discussed, and the potential contribution of venous pathologies to the onset of vascular cognitive impairment and neurodegenerative diseases is emphasized. It is our hope that a greater appreciation of the cellular and molecular processes of vascular aging will stimulate further investigation into strategies aimed at preventing or retarding age-related venous pathologies.

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Cognitive dysfunction and multiple sclerosis: developing a rationale for considering the efficacy of exercise training

Multiple Sclerosis Journal ◽

10.1177/1352458511409612 ◽

2011 ◽

Vol 17 (9) ◽

pp. 1034-1040 ◽

Cited By ~ 49

Author(s):

Robert W Motl ◽

Brian M Sandroff ◽

Ralph HB Benedict

Keyword(s):

Physical Activity ◽

Multiple Sclerosis ◽

Older Adults ◽

Cognitive Impairment ◽

Exercise Training ◽

Aerobic Fitness ◽

Controlled Trial ◽

Preliminary Evidence ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Physical Activity And Exercise

Cognitive impairment is a prevalent, disabling, and poorly managed consequence of multiple sclerosis (MS). This underscores the importance of considering alternative approaches, such as exercise training, for managing cognitive impairment in persons with MS. The consideration of exercise training is warranted based on evidence summarized in literature reviews and meta-analyses that (1) aerobic fitness, physical activity, and exercise training are associated with better cognitive function in older adults; and (2) exercise training has comparable effects on mobility and quality of life outcomes in older adults and persons with MS. To date, research examining aerobic fitness, physical activity, and exercise training effects on cognition in MS is nascent and mostly includes cross-sectional designs that provide preliminary evidence for a well-designed randomized controlled trial (RCT). We believe that a future RCT should adopt research methodologies and practices from gerontology when examining exercise training and cognition in MS. This will maximize the potential for successfully generating a body of knowledge on exercise training and cognition with the potential for impacting the lives of persons with MS.

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