Exercise Training in Amnestic Mild Cognitive Impairment: A One-Year Randomized Controlled Trial

Area of Science:

• Neurology
• Exercise Physiology
• Neuroimaging

Background:

• Evidence on aerobic exercise training (AET) for preventing neurocognitive decline in amnestic mild cognitive impairment (aMCI) is inconclusive.
• aMCI is characterized by memory and executive function deficits.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the impact of a 12-month progressive, moderate-to-high intensity AET program on memory, executive function, brain volume, and amyloid-β (Aβ) deposition in aMCI patients.
• To compare AET with a stretching and toning (SAT) active control group.

Main Methods:

• A proof-of-concept trial randomized 70 aMCI patients to AET or SAT for 12 months.
• Neuropsychological outcomes assessed using CVLT-II and D-KEFS.
• Brain volumes and Aβ deposition measured using neuroimaging techniques.

Main Results:

• Both AET and SAT groups showed slight improvements in neuropsychological scores.
• No significant differences between groups in memory, executive function, brain volume changes, or cortical Aβ deposition.
• Cardiorespiratory fitness significantly improved in the AET group.
• AET was associated with reduced hippocampal atrophy in amyloid-positive patients compared to SAT.

Conclusions:

• Neither AET nor SAT prevented brain atrophy or increased cortical Aβ deposition over 12 months in aMCI patients.
• Both interventions led to modest cognitive improvements in previously sedentary individuals.
• AET demonstrated a potential benefit in reducing hippocampal atrophy among amyloid-positive aMCI patients.