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

Not Applicable

• Conditions: Depression
• Interventions: Other: Aerobic exercise

• Registration Number: NCT04708691
• Lead Sponsor: National Taiwan University Hospital

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.

Study Timeline

• Study Start: 2020-05-01
• Study First Submitted: 2021-01-12
• Study First Submitted QC: 2021-01-12
• Study First Posted: 2021-01-14
• Status Verified: 2021-05
• Last Update Submitted: 2021-09-09
• Last Update Posted: 2021-09-10
• Primary Completion: 2023-04
• Study Completion: 2023-04

Recruitment & Eligibility

• Status: UNKNOWN
• Sex: All
• Target Recruitment: 40

Inclusion Criteria

Not provided

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Exclusion Criteria

Not provided

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Study & Design

• Study Type: INTERVENTIONAL
• Study Design: CROSSOVER

Arm && Interventions

Group	Intervention	Description
Aerobic exercise	Aerobic exercise	aerobic exercise for 30 mins

Primary Outcome Measures

Name	Time	Method
Cortical excitability	4 weeks	TMS measurment

Secondary Outcome Measures

Name	Time	Method
Cognitive task	4 weeks	Serial reaction time task, 3-back letter task

Trial Locations

Locations (1)

National Taiwan University Hospital; 🇨🇳 Taipei, Taiwan