Neural Activation and Connectivity in Response to Exercise and Cognitive Training

Neural Activation and Connectivity in Response to Exercise and Cognitive Training

The goal of this pilot study is to evaluate whether healthy, sedentary older adults have increased activation of specific brain areas, in response to exercise and cognitive training, in comparison to a control group, and whether improvements in psychometric test performance are related to increased activation of brain networks. Participants, between age 55-75 years will be recruited from an ongoing study of exercise and cognitive training, to undergo Blood Oxygen Level Dependent (BOLD) functional magnetic imaging (fcMRI).

Inclusion Criteria:

• meet the inclusion criteria for the parent study, Combining Exercise and Cognitive Training to Improve Everyday Function (EXACT) study (Unique Protocol ID 201102416).

Exclusion Criteria:

• currently taking chronic psychotropic medication, beta blockers, or calcium channel blockers
• contraindication to MRI scanning
• inability to complete MRI scans in closed scanner