Blood Neurotrophic Factors in Adults

The overall goal of this study is to evaluate the impact of cognitive training on blood levels of 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.

Eligibility Criteria:
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