Blood Neurotrophic Factors in Adults

Study Overview
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Brief Summary
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The overall goal of this study is to evaluate the impact of cognitive training on blood levels of neurotrophic factors in adults.

Detailed Description
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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.

Official Title
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Blood Neurotrophic Factors in Adults

Conditions
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Healthy

Intervention / Treatment
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* Behavioral: Computer-based cognitive training


Participation Criteria
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Eligibility Criteria
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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

Ages Eligible for Study
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Minimum Age: 18 Years

Sexes Eligible for Study
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All

Accepts Healthy Volunteers
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Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Study Plan
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How is the study designed?
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Design Details

Primary Purpose: Basic Science
Allocation: Randomized
Intervention Model: Parallel Assignment
Masking: None (Open Label)


Arms and Interventions

| Participant Group/Arm | Intervention/Treatment |
| --- | --- |
| No Intervention: No Intervention Arm<br>Phase I in this study will involve the evaluation of blood-derived neurotrophic factors in healthy, younger adults (18-30.) Individuals in this group will not undergo computerized, cognitive training. | |
| Experimental: Cognitive Training<br>Phase II of this study will involve an evaluation of the pre- and post- cognitive training levels of blood-derived neurotrophic factors in healthy, mature adults. Participants randomized to this arm will receive SAAGE-based computerized cognitive training. | Behavioral: Computer-based cognitive training<br>* The experimental cognitive training program consists of interactive training exercises in which the participant responds to visual patterns and stimuli. The program is designed upon the principles of brain-plasticity, and, for the purposes of this study, is intended to be used for an 8-10 week period (40 total hours of training.)<br>|

What is the study measuring?
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Primary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| The primary outcome of this study will be the evaluation of blood derived neurotrophic factors in both young adults and in mature adults undergoing cognitive training. |  | Up to 14 weeks post-enrollment | 

Secondary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| To obtain information on the levels of growth factors in health adults |  | Required blood draws at three study intervals | 

 Terms related to the study
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Keywords Provided by Centre Hospitalier Valida
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neurotrophic factors, cognitive status, young adults, mature adults, cognitive training