dementia-2017-posters-accepted-abstracts

Page 84

Notes:

conferenceseries

.com

Volume 7, Issue 6 (Suppl)

J Alzheimers Dis Parkinsonism, an open access journal

ISSN: 2161-0460

Dementia 2017

October 16-18, 2017

ALZHEIMER’S DISEASE & DEMENTIA

October 16-18, 2017 | Rome, Italy

International Conference on

J Alzheimers Dis Parkinsonism 2017, 7:6(Suppl)

DOI: 10.4172/2161-0460-C1-034

Challenging the neuroprotective potential of physical exercise: insights into plasticity-related

mechanisms in the aging brain

Yulia Lerner

Tel Aviv University, Israel

ild cognitive impairment (MCI) is a prodromal stage of Alzheimer disease (AD). To date, therapeutic approaches to AD

are symptomatic and of modest efficacy. Nonetheless, studies in animal and human populations suggested that physical

training results in structural and functional brain changes. The current project aims at exploring brain mechanisms mediating

the neuroprotective effect of different types of physical exercise among patients with amnestic MCI (aMCI). Specifically, we

performed a comprehensive study to examine the effect of aerobic and non-aerobic training. Neuropsychological evaluations,

assessment of neurotrophic factor (BDNF), cardiorespiratory fitness assessment and fMRI have been performed before the

physical training and following the intervention. 24 participants suffering of aMCI carried out their activity routines 3 d/wk

during 4 months under supervision of an experienced trainer. Inter-SC and GLM methods have been used for data analysis.

Following intensive individual training, we found improvement in memory and executive functions in both physical training

groups. In the fMRI, we found reliable responses in regions that are related to higher order processing of information: temporo-

parietal junction, marginal and supramarginal gyri, frontal areas. Hippocampal activation in memory encoding task increased

following aerobic intervention. Increased BDNF was correlated with improved cognition, with no association with the type of

exercise. The physical training results in functional and structural changes in a-MCI. Our findings demonstrated that cognitive

performance can be affected by exercise of both types. The insights gained from the study may have important scientific value

and clinical implications for individuals at the early stages of AD.