Aerobic Exercise Training and Depressive Symptoms in People With Multiple Sclerosis: Brief Report on Default-Mode...

Area of Science:

• Neuroscience
• Exercise Physiology
• Clinical Psychology

Background:

• Multiple sclerosis (MS) is associated with increased depressive symptoms.
• A potential neural mechanism for exercise benefits in MS-related depression is under investigation.
• This study analyzes data from a randomized controlled trial (RCT) on exercise and cognitive function in MS.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the neural mechanisms underlying reduced depressive symptoms after aerobic exercise in people with MS.
• To explore the relationship between exercise, depressive symptoms, and brain activity in MS.
• To conduct a secondary analysis of existing RCT data.

Main Methods:

• Ten ambulatory individuals with MS were randomized into an aerobic treadmill walking group or an active control group (stretching).
• Participants completed the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale and resting-state functional MRI (fMRI) before and after a 12-week intervention.
• Depressive symptoms and functional connectivity within the default-mode network (DMN) were assessed.

Main Results:

• No baseline differences in depressive symptoms were observed between groups.
• The aerobic exercise group showed significant reductions in depressive symptoms compared to the control group.
• Significant changes in resting-state functional connectivity within the DMN were observed in the exercise group.

Conclusions:

• Resting-state functional connectivity within the DMN may be a neural mechanism for exercise-induced mood improvements in MS.
• Aerobic exercise training demonstrates potential for treating depression in individuals with MS.
• Future RCTs should consider prescreening for depression when investigating exercise interventions for MS.