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Effects of Heart Rate Oscillations During Meditation on Plasma Biomarkers of Alzheimer's Disease

Not Applicable
Completed
Conditions
Alzheimer Disease
Interventions
Behavioral: Belly-focus meditation
Behavioral: Belly-focus meditation with slow breathing
Registration Number
NCT06210035
Lead Sponsor
University of Southern California
Brief Summary

In the current study, we will examine how two types of concentration meditation practices affect plasma biomarkers of Alzheimer's Disease (AD). We will also examine the effects of the two types of meditation practices on emotional well-being and episodic memory. Healthy adults aged 18-35 who meet all eligibility criteria will be invited to this study. Participants will be asked to engage in one week of daily meditation practice or no-intervention control task at home. They will also be asked to visit the lab twice, once before and once after the intervention, to provide blood samples to assess plasma biomarkers of AD and to complete emotion questionnaires and a memory test.

Detailed Description

Not available

Recruitment & Eligibility

Status
COMPLETED
Sex
All
Target Recruitment
94
Inclusion Criteria
  • Fluent in English
  • Aged between 18-35 years old
  • Agree to provide blood samples
  • Healthy adults who weigh at least 110 pounds
  • Agree to devote 40 minutes daily to this study for a week
Exclusion Criteria
  • Have a disorder that would affect heart rhythm or function (e.g., abnormal cardiac rhythm, dyspnea, heart disease including coronary artery disease, angina and arrhythmia)
  • Regularly practicing any relaxation, meditation or yoga that involve breathing focused practices lasting for more than an hour each week

Study & Design

Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Study Design
PARALLEL
Arm && Interventions
GroupInterventionDescription
Belly-focus concentration meditationBelly-focus meditationParticipants will engage in concentration meditation for 40 minutes every day for a week while recording heart rate. They will focus on the sensations around the belly.
Belly-focus concentration meditation with slow breathingBelly-focus meditation with slow breathingParticipants will engage in concentration meditation and slow breathing for 40 minutes every day for a week while recording heart rate. They will focus on the sensations around the belly while breathing slowly.
Primary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
Change in plasma amyloid beta levelsMeasured from blood draws before and after a one-week intervention

The investigators will compute an aggregate score based on both plasma Ab40 and Ab42 levels. The investigators will conduct a time (pre, post) X condition ANOVA to test for a time X condition interaction in plasma Ab levels (to assess group differences in change).

Change in plasma Ab42/40 ratioMeasured from blood draws before and after a one-week intervention

The investigators will conduct a time X condition ANOVA to test for a time X condition interaction with plasma Ab42/40 ratio scores as the dependent variable (to assess group differences in change).

Secondary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
Change in emotional well-beingMeasured before and after a one-week intervention

The investigators will conduct a time X condition ANOVA to test for a time X condition interaction with emotional well-being as the dependent variable (to assess group differences in change).

Change in plasma pTau-181/tau ratioMeasured from blood draws before and after a one-week intervention

The investigators will conduct a time X condition ANOVA to test for a time X condition interaction with plasma pTau-181/tau ratio as the dependent variable (to assess group differences in change).

Trial Locations

Locations (1)

University of Southern California

🇺🇸

Los Angeles, California, United States

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