Priming the Brain for Stroke Recovery: Optimizing the Neurotrophic Effects of Aerobic Exercise
Description: In stroke rehabilitation, aerobic exercise (AEX) is important for addressing deconditioning and cardiovascular risk, but it may also improve brain health and neurologic recovery. Non-stroke studies show that AEX acutely increases circulating levels of neurotrophins like brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), and that these increases facilitate brain neuroplasticity, motor learning and cognitive function. Further, these acute neurotrophic effects appear to 'prime' the brain, creating optimal conditions that maximize responsiveness to cognitive or motor skill training. However, the neurotrophic effects of AEX have not been previously reported among stroke survivors and no previous studies in any population have compared the neurotrophic effects of different protocols in order to optimize AEX parameters. Further, the neurotrophic response to AEX appears to require a high aerobic intensity, which has previously been difficult to achieve among stroke survivors. Our team recently developed a new AEX approach that is able to reliably achieve high aerobic intensity in this population, using the strategy of high-intensity interval training. Our preliminary data also strongly suggest that this protocol elicits robust neurotrophin responses, even when performed on a seated stepper, which would increase clinical feasibility in some settings. In our recently completed data collection, serum samples were collected from persons with chronic stroke before, during and after 3 different AEX sessions: A) moderate-intensity treadmill AEX, B) high-intensity treadmill AEX and C) high-intensity seated stepper AEX. The proposed study will analyze these serum samples to evaluate the effects of AEX intensity and mode on acute neurotrophin responses post-stroke. At study completion, we expect to have demonstrated that this innovative high-intensity AEX protocol elicits a significantly greater increase in serum neurotrophins than moderate-intensity AEX, whether performed on a treadmill or a seated stepper. By determining the effects of exercise intensity and mode on the acute neurotrophic response to AEX post-stroke, this project will help to define the next generation of AEX training to simultaneously maximize aerobic, motor and cognitive recovery. Therefore, this study will advance a potent and efficient intervention to reduce the disability burden of stroke, in accordance with the AHA mission.
Funder: American Heart Association
Amount: $153,800
Funding type: research
Funder scheme: Mentored Clinical & Population Research Program
Start date: 2017-07-01
End date: 2019-06-30
Investigators: Pierce Boyne, Pierce Boyne
Institution: University of Cincinnati
Funded outputs count: 10
Funder award ID: 17MCPRP33670446
OpenAlex ID: G5517570433