Exercise Training to Improve Cognitive Function

Background/Rationale:

Alzheimer's disease (AD) afflicts nearly 6 million Americans, a number projected to grow in
coming decades. AD is known to have a long preclinical phase in which pathophysiologic
processes develop many years, even decades, before the onset of clinical symptoms. During
this preclinical phase there is evidence of unremitting decline in cognitive function,
particularly in episodic memory. Thus far, evidence of the efficacy of pharmacological
interventions to slow this decline in cognitive function has been limited, leading to
increasing interest in the utility of nonpharmacological interventions including exercise.

Objective:

The investigators propose to assess the feasibility of a novel home-based exercise
intervention to improve episodic memory in Veterans with mild cognitive impairment (MCI).

Methods:

The investigators will estimate the difference between the intervention (n=30) and the
control group (n=30) on 6-month change in episodic memory (Rey-Osterrieth Complex Figure
Test, Wechsler Logical Memory Test) as well as the effect size, which will be used as a basis
for sample size calculation for a proposed larger study. Participants will be male and female
Veterans 50 years of age or older with amnestic MCI.

Inclusion Criteria:

- Amnestic MCI

- Ability to use a telephone without assistance

Exclusion Criteria:

- Angina Pectoris

- History of myocardial infarction within 6 months

- History of ventricular dysrhythmia requiring current therapy