Physical Activity and Cognitive Function in Older Adults: A Novel Role for GPLD1

Study Overview
=================
Brief Summary
-----------------
The investigators are conducting a cross-sectional, observational study to investigate whether plasma GPLD1 concentrations are associated with higher cognitive function and better brain structure and function in two groups of older adults with high or low levels of physical activity.

Detailed Description
-----------------
This is a cross-sectional, observational study which will enroll up to 28 healthy, older adults (65-85 y, BMI 20-35 kg/m2), and stratify by current self-reported physical activity level (equal inactive vs. equal highly active). Aim 1: Investigate whether physical activity level is associated with GPLD1. Aim 2: Investigate whether cognitive function and brain structure/function are associated with GPLD1.

Official Title
-----------------
Physical Activity and Cognitive Function in Older Adults: A Novel Role for GPLD1

Conditions
-----------------
Aging, Cognitive Dysfunction

Intervention / Treatment
-----------------
* Behavioral: Brain Health Assessments


Participation Criteria
=================
Eligibility Criteria
-----------------
Inclusion Criteria: Ages 65-85 y (inclusive) Body mass index (BMI) of 20-35 kg/m2 (inclusive) Willing to have blood and data stored for future research use Exclusion Criteria: History of clinically diagnosed diabetes (Type 1 or 2) or a fasting blood glucose >126 mg/dL Diagnosed Alzheimer's disease, dementia, or related-brain diseases Chronic use of atypical antipsychotic or bipolar medications Initiation of novel pharmacotherapy agents (such as antidepressant, hypertension, or dyslipidemia) within the last 3 months Uncontrolled hypertension (blood pressure >160 systolic or >110 diastolic) Asthma that limits the ability to participate in moderate to vigorous physical activity or requiring systemic glucocorticoid administration Emphysema that limits the ability to participate in moderate to vigorous physical activity or requiring systemic glucocorticoid administration Current alcohol use exceeding 14 drinks per week in women, exceeding 21 drinks per week in men, having treatment for alcohol abuse in the last year, or having treatment for alcohol abuse more than 1 year ago (but with inability to refrain from alcohol in the past year) Use of illegal drugs or marijuana within 1-month of completing a Screening Visit; treatment for drug addiction in the 1-year or having treatment for drug addiction >1-year ago, but with an inability to refrain from the drug of addiction in the 1-year Unwilling to abstain from illegal drugs and marijuana for the duration of the study Contraindication for MRI (e.g., metal objects, claustrophobia, etc.) Psychotic mental illness (e.g., schizophrenia, bipolar, on-and- off use of anti-psychotic medication) History of cardiovascular disease (or diseases of the heart, lungs, or blood) that limits participation in moderate to vigorous physical activity History of liver, blood, kidney, thyroid or other diseases that limits moderate to vigorous physical activity at the time of enrollment Cancer that limits moderate to vigorous physical activity Treatment with systemic immunosuppressant medication Taking adrenergic stimulants (e.g., amphetamine) or adrenergic blockers (e.g., Propanolol) that will alter metabolic rate Have plans to substantially alter their current level of physical activity over the next 1-month

Ages Eligible for Study
-----------------
Minimum Age: 65 Years
Maximum Age: 85 Years

Sexes Eligible for Study
-----------------
All

Accepts Healthy Volunteers
-----------------
Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Study Plan
=================
How is the study designed?
-----------------

Arms and Interventions

| Participant Group/Arm | Intervention/Treatment |
| --- | --- |
| Inactive<br>Older adults who have a sedentary or under-active lifestyle. | Behavioral: Brain Health Assessments<br>* The investigators are enrolling up to 28 healthy, older adults (ages 65-85 y, BMI 20-35 kg/m2) stratified by current physical activity level (equal inactive vs. equal highly active). Each physical activity group (inactive and highly active) will undergo a blood draw, body composition, resting metabolic rate, cognitive testing, and magnetic resonance (MR) imaging.<br>|
| Highly Active<br>Older adults who have a highly active lifestyle. | Behavioral: Brain Health Assessments<br>* The investigators are enrolling up to 28 healthy, older adults (ages 65-85 y, BMI 20-35 kg/m2) stratified by current physical activity level (equal inactive vs. equal highly active). Each physical activity group (inactive and highly active) will undergo a blood draw, body composition, resting metabolic rate, cognitive testing, and magnetic resonance (MR) imaging.<br>|

What is the study measuring?
-----------------
Primary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Plasma concentrations of GPLD1 | Plasma GPLD1 (by a blood draw) is performed. | 1 day | 

Secondary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Physical activity level | Physical activity level assessment (by accelerometry) is performed. | 7 days | 
| Total grey matter volume | Total grey matter volume (by structural MRI) is performed. | 1 day | 
| Brain activity and function | Brain activity and function (by functional MRI) during execution of two cognitive tasks (Stroop Task and Attention Network Task (ANT)) is performed. | 1 day | 
| Cognitive function | Cognitive function testing (using the NIH Toolbox Cognitive Battery) is performed. | 1 day |