Abstract Details

Title Aerobic Exercise Increases Hippocampal Volume and Improves Memory in Persons with Multiple Sclerosis: Pilot Findings from a Randomized Controlled Trial

Topic Neural Repair/Rehabilitation

Presentation(s) P04 - (-)

Poster/Presentation
Number 034

Objective

Background BACKGROUND: MS leads to prominent hippocampal atrophy: as much as 10% reduction of hippocampal volume is seen in persons with relapsing-remitting MS (RRMS), even after only five years. Hippocampal atrophy is linked to memory deficits; indeed, more than 50% of MS patients suffer memory impairment, with negative consequences for quality of life. There are currently no effective memory treatments for MS, either pharmacological or behavioral.

Design/Methods DESIGN/METHODS: Pilot data were collected from two ambulatory, memory-impaired MS participants randomized to non-aerobic (stretching) and aerobic (stationery cycling) conditions. Baseline and follow-up measurements: high-resolution MRI (neuroanatomical volumes), fMRI (functional connectivity), and memory assessment. Intervention was 30 minute sessions 3 times per week for 3 months.

Results RESULTS: Aerobic exercise resulted in a 16.5% increase in hippocampal volume and a 53.7% increase in memory, as well as a large increase in hippocampal resting-state functional connectivity. In contrast, non-aerobic exercise resulted in relatively no change in hippocampal volume (2.8%) or memory (0.0%), and no changes in hippocampal resting-state functional connectivity. Effects of aerobic exercise were specific to the hippocampus and memory, as there were no comparable changes in overall cerebral gray matter (2.4%) or in non-hippocampal deep gray matter structures (thalamus, caudate: -4.0%), nor were there any changes in non-memory cognitive functioning (mean change: 0.0%).

Conclusions CONCLUSIONS: This is the first evidence for aerobic exercise to increase hippocampal volume, hippocampal connectivity, and improve memory in MS. Aerobic exercise represents a cost-effective, widely available, natural, and self-administered treatment with no adverse side effects that may be the first effective memory treatment for MS patients.

Authors/Disclosures
Victoria Leavitt, PhD, FAAN (Columbia University Irving Medical Center) PRESENTER	Dr. Leavitt has received personal compensation in the range of $500-$4,999 for serving on a Scientific Advisory or Data Safety Monitoring board for Biogen. Dr. Leavitt has received personal compensation in the range of $500-$4,999 for serving on a Speakers Bureau for Novartis. The institution of Dr. Leavitt has received research support from National Institutes of Health. The institution of Dr. Leavitt has received research support from National Multiple Sclerosis Society. The institution of Dr. Leavitt has received research support from Department of Defense. Dr. Leavitt has received intellectual property interests from a discovery or technology relating to health care.
	No disclosure on file
Amanda H. Cohen, MD (University of Maryland Medical Center)	No disclosure on file
	No disclosure on file
	No disclosure on file
Nancy Chiaravalloti	The institution of Nancy Chiaravalloti has received research support from NIH. The institution of Nancy Chiaravalloti has received research support from NIDILRR.
James F. Sumowski (Icahn School of Medicine At Mount Sinai)	Mr. Sumowski has nothing to disclose.
John DeLuca, PhD, ABPP (Kessler Foundation)	Dr. DeLuca has received personal compensation in the range of $500-$4,999 for serving as a Consultant for Novartis. Dr. DeLuca has received personal compensation in the range of $500-$4,999 for serving as a Consultant for Biogen. Dr. DeLuca has received personal compensation in the range of $10,000-$49,999 for serving as a Consultant for Celgene. Dr. DeLuca has received personal compensation in the range of $10,000-$49,999 for serving on a Speakers Bureau for Biogen. The institution of Dr. DeLuca has received research support from Biogen.

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