Pilot Study of the Impact of Exercise on Hippocampal Function
| Status: | Completed |
|---|---|
| Conditions: | Anxiety, Anxiety |
| Therapuetic Areas: | Psychiatry / Psychology |
| Healthy: | No |
| Age Range: | 18 - 40 |
| Updated: | 3/29/2019 |
| Start Date: | March 28, 2017 |
| End Date: | September 13, 2018 |
Pilot Study of the Impact of Exercise on Hippocampal Behavior
The goal of this pilot study is to test the procedural aspects of the behavioral tests and
the exercise components of the study. This includes establishing typical scores for anxiety
patients in these behavioral tests, and administering and coaching anxiety patients in an
at-home exercise regimen. This pilot study will produce the information necessary to design a
larger future study including both patients and healthy control participants.
the exercise components of the study. This includes establishing typical scores for anxiety
patients in these behavioral tests, and administering and coaching anxiety patients in an
at-home exercise regimen. This pilot study will produce the information necessary to design a
larger future study including both patients and healthy control participants.
This is a pilot study to explore whether High Intensity Interval Training (HIIT) aerobic
exercise can improve performance on hippocampal dependent behaviors or anxiety measures .
HIIT is a form of interval training that alternates short periods of high effort exercise
with less intense recovery periods. Participants in this study will undertake a 6-week
protocol of HIIT exercise, performed at home on a portable stepper device. Outcome measures
for this study will be performance on two hippocampus-dependent behaviors and responses to
mood and anxiety questionnaires.
The hippocampus is a brain structure that is involved in learning and memory, and is one of
the two sites of adult neurogenesis, the process of generating of new neurons from stem cells
in the adult mammalian brain. Adult neurogenesis may represent a new target for the treatment
of anxiety disorders. The tests in this study consist of a picture-based memory task and a
location memory task. Eligible participants will complete both game tasks. In each test,
participants will sit in front of a computer and play these games using the computer keyboard
or a handheld video game controller.
exercise can improve performance on hippocampal dependent behaviors or anxiety measures .
HIIT is a form of interval training that alternates short periods of high effort exercise
with less intense recovery periods. Participants in this study will undertake a 6-week
protocol of HIIT exercise, performed at home on a portable stepper device. Outcome measures
for this study will be performance on two hippocampus-dependent behaviors and responses to
mood and anxiety questionnaires.
The hippocampus is a brain structure that is involved in learning and memory, and is one of
the two sites of adult neurogenesis, the process of generating of new neurons from stem cells
in the adult mammalian brain. Adult neurogenesis may represent a new target for the treatment
of anxiety disorders. The tests in this study consist of a picture-based memory task and a
location memory task. Eligible participants will complete both game tasks. In each test,
participants will sit in front of a computer and play these games using the computer keyboard
or a handheld video game controller.
Inclusion Criteria:
- A primary diagnosis of Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD), Social Anxiety Disorder
(SAD), Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD), Panic Disorder (PD), and/or Specific Phobia
(SP)
- No use of psychiatric medication in the past 4 weeks (or 8 weeks for fluoxetine)
- Age 18-40
- Ability to tolerate a treatment-free period
- English-speaking
- Body Mass Index (BMI) within normal range
- Willing and able to sign consent form and comply with study procedures
Exclusion Criteria:
- Current or lifetime comorbid psychiatric conditions that significantly elevate the
risk of study participation
- Any major medical or neurological problem that might interfere with reliable
performance of study tasks or their interpretation, or render participation dangerous
- Pregnant or lactating
- Use of medication that alters the brain
- Clinical symptom severity warranting immediate treatment
- Current rigorous exercise program
- Participation in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) psychotherapy for anxiety
We found this trial at
1
site
1051 Riverside Dr
New York, New York 10032
New York, New York 10032
646-774-5000
Phone: 646-775-8011
New York State Psychiatric Institute The New York State Psychiatric Institute (NYSPI), established in 1895,...
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