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Effects of Aerobic Exercise Modulation on Brain Physiology and Cognition in Young Adults With Depression

Effects of Aerobic Exercise Modulation on Brain Physiology and Cognition

Status
UNKNOWN
Phases
NA
Study type
Interventional
Source
ClinicalTrials.gov
Registry ID
NCT04708691
Enrollment
40
Registered
2021-01-14
Start date
2020-05-01
Completion date
2023-04-30
Last updated
2021-09-10

For informational purposes only — not medical advice. Sourced from public registries and may not reflect the latest updates. Terms

Conditions

Depression

Keywords

Depression, Neurophysiology, Cognition

Brief summary

Major depressive depression (MDD) affects a quarter of young adults and is associated with marked global burden in this population. Recently, growing literature has shown that cognitive dysfunction is common in young adults with depression. There is a vast amount of evidence indicating aerobic exercise has positive effects on cognitive function in healthy as well as in subjects with depression. The results might be dependent on neuroplastic changes induced by aerobic exercise. Nevertheless, the neurocognitive mechanisms of aerobic exercise in young adults with depression has not received systematic investigation. In addition, the association between the underlying brain physiology and cognitive performance has not been explored so far. In this project, the investigators aim to explore the relevance of a single session of aerobic exercise for human brain physiology and the impact of respective physiological effects on cognitive processes in young adults with depression.

Detailed description

The study are interested in the physiological foundation of the impact of aerobic exercise on cognitive performance in youth MDD subjects. Combined application of neurophysiological intervention and recording tools, including non-invasive brain stimulation, is suited to explore the impact of aerobic exercise on brain physiology and cognition in humans. We will apply transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) to obtain evoked potentials with electromyography (EMG) to explore cortical excitability. In the same participants, we will combine motor learning, working memory, and attention task to explore the association between the physiological effect of aerobic exercise and respective cognitive alterations. This project aims to explore the impact of aerobic exercise on cortical excitability and cognitive performance, and the association between these phenomena in youth MDD subjects. The study will improve our understanding of the role of aerobic exercise in cortical excitability, an important physiological basis for cognitive processes in humans, the underlying physiological mechanisms with regard to the aerobic exercise, and their functional relevance in youth MDD subjects.

Interventions

OTHERAerobic exercise

aerobic exercise

Sponsors

National Taiwan University Hospital
Lead SponsorOTHER

Study design

Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Intervention model
CROSSOVER
Primary purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
DOUBLE (Subject, Outcomes Assessor)

Eligibility

Sex/Gender
ALL
Age
20 Years to 35 Years
Healthy volunteers
Yes

Inclusion criteria

1. Diagnosis of major depressive disorder by a board-certified psychiatrist according to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition 2. Total score of the 17-item Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression (HAM-D) less than 7 3. Aged between 18 to 35 years 4. Right handedness

Exclusion criteria

1. A major depressive episode within the past three months 2. Pacemaker or deep brain stimulation 3. Metal implants in the head or neck area 4. Other major mental disorders including autism spectrum disorders, mental retardation, psychotic disorders, bipolar disorders, obsessive-compulsive disorder, and neurocognitive disorders 5. Alcohol or other illicit substance abuse 6. Neurological diseases involving the central nervous system 7. Major debilitating systemic diseases 8. Pregnancy 9. Breast feeding 10. Cigarette smoker 11. Color blindness 12. Take part in another study within the last 4 weeks

Design outcomes

Primary

MeasureTime frameDescription
Cortical excitability4 weeksTMS measurment

Secondary

MeasureTime frameDescription
Cognitive task4 weeksSerial reaction time task, 3-back letter task

Countries

Taiwan

Contacts

Primary ContactKuo Hsiao-I, PhD
hikuo@ntu.edu.tw02-33668137

Outcome results

None listed

Source: ClinicalTrials.gov · Data processed: Feb 4, 2026