Investigating Midlife Physical Activity and Cognition Trial: Observational Study (IMPACT- Obs)

Summary

This study will look at how everyday physical activity levels relate to thinking and memory in 150 adults aged 45–55 with a family history of dementia. You will wear a small activity watch on your wrist for seven days to track your daily movement and sedentary behaviour (like sleep). During a lab visit, you will do some thinking and memory tests, where brain activity and brain blood flow will be measured using sensors placed over your head. Blood samples will also be collected. We also want to see how your stress axis functioning may be related to your level of physical activity and how it is involved in how your brain works. In order to look at stress axis functioning, you will collect 5 saliva samples at specific times over two consecutive days. During the lab visit, you will also take part in a game that is known to temporarily and mildly increase stress. We will see whether these links between the brain, physical activity, and blood/stress differ for females and males and across menopause stages for females. This is not an exercise program, rather we will observe your usual movement. Our goal is to learn if and how daily movement supports brain health in midlife so people can act early, before memory problems begin.

Eligibility

Currently recruiting participants: Yes

Eligible ages: 45 to 55

Accepts healthy participants: Yes

Inclusion criteria:

You can participate in this study if you:
1) Are between the ages of 45-55 years.
2) Are a biological male or female, as assigned at birth.
3) Reside in Calgary.
4) Can read and speak English with acceptable visual and auditory acuity.
5) Have a family history of Dementia.
6) Have not completed in-person testing for the MOMENTUM study.
7) Are able to walk independently.

Exclusion criteria:

1) Have a diagnosis of cognitive impairment or dementia.
2) Have a diagnosis of a neurodegenerative disease (i.e., multiple sclerosis, Parkinson’s Disease).
3) Are pregnant, or are planning on becoming pregnant
4) Have clinically important peripheral neuropathy or severe musculoskeletal or joint disease that impairs mobility.
5) Are taking medications that negatively affect cognitive function, such as anticholinergics, major tranquilizers, and anticonvulsants.
6) Active mental illness that could impact cognition (other than depression or anxiety).
7) Current substance or alcohol abuse.
8) Severe medical conditions (e.g., chronic heart failure; end-stage renal disease; chronic obstructive pulmonary disease).
9) Recent (within 1 year) diagnosis of cancer other than non-metastatic prostate cancer or non-melanoma skin cancer.
10) Recent (within 1 year) chemotherapy or radiation treatment.
11) Recent (within 1 year) history of traumatic brain injury with loss of consciousness.
12) Are planning to participate, or are already enrolled in, a concurrent clinical drug or exercise trial.
13) Taking medications that are known to affect cardiovascular or metabolic responses to exercise, including, but not limited to, beta blockers, anti-inflammatories, anti-coagulants, insulin etc.
14) Are at high risk for cardiac complications during exercise, including those with known cardiovascular disease, uncontrolled hypertension, unstable angina, recent myocardial infarction, heart failure, unexplained syncope, or any other medical condition that, in the opinion of the study investigators would place the participant at increased risk during exercise testing
15) Engage in more than 100 minutes of exercise per week in the last 6 months.

Participate

Fill out the following form if you want to participate in this research

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Additional information

Contact information

Barha Brain Health Lab Members

Principal investigator:

Cindy Barha

Clinical trial:

REB-ID:

REB25-1456