TMS-evoked Potentials During Aerobic Exercise

Study Overview
=================
Brief Summary
-----------------
This study investigates the modification of the local-to-global connectivity pattern in response to a session of aerobic exercise. Transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) will be applied to elicit electroencephalography (EEG) responses in healthy volunteers. The TMS-evoked potentials (TEPs) will be recorded and serve as a reflection of cortical reactivity and connectivity to TMS.

Detailed Description
-----------------
Chronic musculoskeletal pain disorders rank second only to mental and behavioural disorders as a major contributor to worldwide years lived with disability. Chronic musculoskeletal pain restricts mobility, decreases cardiorespiratory capacity and musculoskeletal function, and ultimately reduces exercise capacity and quality of life. Thus, there is an urgent need for new, effective, and affordable strategies to address this growing problem, particularly in health systems around the world. Abnormal brain connectivity patterns disrupt normal brain function in a specific neural network, causing brain circuit malfunctions and resulting in symptoms such as chronic pain. The advent of electroencephalography (EEG) compatible with transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS-EEG) has allowed the measurement of the cortical excitability and connectivity of a single pulse of TMS in any scalp region, providing insights into cortical excitability and connectivity that were not previously possible with techniques exclusively based on MEP, create a map of activation caused by a localized pulse of stimulation. Furthermore, TMS-EEG allows recording the spread and the characteristics of the perturbations caused by a single TMS pulse across the cortex (recorded by several electrodes from an EEG cap). Physical exercise has been shown to have a positive impact on brain functioning. Regular exercise promotes the growth of new brain cells and improves the survival of existing ones. Studies have shown that regular exercise improves cognitive function, memory, and mood, and exercise has been linked to increased production of neurotransmitters, hormones, and growth factors that promote brain health. However, to date, no studies have investigated the effect of aerobic exercise on brain excitability and connectivity.

Official Title
-----------------
The Effect of Aerobic Exercise on Brain Connectivity

Conditions
-----------------
Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation, Electroencephalography, Aerobic Exercise

Intervention / Treatment
-----------------
* Other: Aerobic exercise


Participation Criteria
=================
Eligibility Criteria
-----------------
Inclusion Criteria: Healthy men and women Speak and understand English Exclusion Criteria: Drug addiction defined as the use of cannabis, opioids or other drugs Previous neurologic, musculoskeletal or mental illnesses Lack of ability to cooperate History of chronic pain or current acute pain Contraindications to rTMS application (history of epilepsy, metal in the head or jaw etc.). Failure to pass the TASS questionnaire (TASS = Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation Adult Safety Screen)

Ages Eligible for Study
-----------------
Minimum Age: 18 Years
Maximum Age: 60 Years

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

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

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

Design Details

Primary Purpose: Basic Science
Intervention Model: Single Group Assignment
Masking: None (Open Label)


Arms and Interventions

| Participant Group/Arm | Intervention/Treatment |
| --- | --- |
| Experimental: Aerobic exercise<br>30 minutes of aerobic exercise will be performed by the participants before and after cortical connectivity measurements. | Other: Aerobic exercise<br>* 30 minutes of aerobic exercise on a stationary bike<br>|

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

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Cortical connectivity | Global and local mean field amplitude | Cortical connectivity changes will be investigated before and after 30-min aerobic exercise (1 hour) | 

Secondary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Cortical excitability | TMS-evoked potentials | Cortical excitability changes will be investigated before and after 30-min aerobic exercise (1 hour) |