Blood Neurotrophic Factors in Adults

Current research suggests that levels of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and
certain excitatory neurotransmitters - specifically glutamate, D-serine, and glycine are low
in participants with depression and other mental illnesses (Wolkowitz and Reus 2002, Tan et
al., 2005; Shoval & Weizman, 2005; Hashimoto et al., 2005). Research also suggests that
levels of both BDNF and excitatory transmitters can be enhanced by cognitive stimulation
(Hynd et al., 2005; Wu et al., 2005; Yang et al., 2005; Mattson et al., 2004). BDNF is found
in brain tissue and is also measurable in blood; it stimulates neuronal cell growth in
certain brain regions (Duman, 2004). In Phase 1, we wish to measure the levels of specific
neurotrophic factors in healthy, young participants. Phase 2 is intended to correlate
similar levels with change in neurocognitive performance in healthy, older participants.
Overall, this study is designed to obtain a raw measure of the impact that cognitive
training has on the mature adult brain.

Inclusion Criteria:

Phase 1: Closed

- Age 18-30 at the time of consent

- Good general medical health

- Willing to undergo venipuncture procedure

Phase 2: Activation Pending

- Age 65 or older at the time of consent

- Mini-Mental Status Examination (MMSE) score of 26 or higher

- Willing to undergo venipuncture procedure

- Fluency in the English language

- Participant is willing and able to commit to the time requirement of the study

Exclusion Criteria:

Phase 1

- Participant is experiencing chronic or acute illness

- Current substance abuse, including alcoholism

- Diagnosis of a major psychological disorder

- Current use, or use within the past 3 months of medications specified by protocol

- Participant is unwilling or unable to perform questionnaires as specified in the
protocol

- Participant is not capable of giving informed consent or is unable to comprehend
and/or follow directions in English

- Participant is enrolled in a concurrent clinical study that could affect the outcome
of this study

- Female only: Participant is pregnant

Phase 2

Sensory/Motor Exclusions:

- Reported or observed difficulties with a participant's dominant hand

Psychiatric Exclusions:

- Current diagnosis of a major psychological disorder or a psychiatric hospitalization

- Current substance abuse, including alcoholism

Neurological Exclusions:

- Current diagnosis of a major neurological disorder that may impact cognitive
functioning

- History of stroke, traumatic brain injury (leading to loss of consciousness), brain
cancer, or invasive neurological procedure within the past year

- Diagnosis of medically uncontrolled seizure disorder

Medication Exclusions:

- Current use, or use within the past 3 months of medications specified within the
investigational plan

Additional Exclusions:

- Participant is unwilling or unable to perform assessments and/or evaluations as
specified in the protocol

- Participant is not capable of giving informed consent or is unable to comprehend
and/or follow directions

- Participant is enrolled in a concurrent clinical study that could affect the outcome
of this study