Fitness & Cognitive Training: Influence on Neuropsychological & Brain Function Art Kramer Beckman Institute University of Illinois

An illustration of the specificity of cognitive training effects from the largest randomized trial of cognitive training programs. Some transfer to self-reported IADL’s after 5 years (reasoning group) Ball et al (2002)

Prospective observational studies suggest that “intellectual engagement” (another form of cognitive training and ……) has a relatively strong relationship to maintained cognition & reduced risk of Alzheimer’s. e.g. Karp et al (2006) a study of 776 > 75 year olds over the course of 6 years - activities at time 1, dementia at time 2.

A Brief Summary of the Current State of Knowledge: Fitness training has positive effects on “cognition” for both normal elderly and those with early varieties of dementia (Colcombe & Kramer, 2003; Etnier et al., 2006; Heyn et al, 2004)

Unlike cognitive training, fitness training has both broad and specific effects on cognition. Colcombe & Kramer (2003)

There is an increasing body of literature on mechanisms underlying fitness training (& other lifestyle factors) Brown et al, 2003 ALSO …… increases in neurotrophins (e.g. BDNF, IGF1, etc) enhanced synaptogenesis enhanced angiogenesis increased production of various neurotransmitters reduced beta amyloid protein in mouse knock out models

And … some interesting effects of fitness training on human brains. Colcombe et al (2006) Pereira et al (2007)

And some additional effects of fitness training on brain function: Flanker / Selective Attention Task Sternberg Memory Search Task Slope change (percent)

MORE THAN A FEW GAPS IN OUR KNOWLEDGE ……… Need to know much more about the parameters of exercise & intellectual engagement (e.g. when, how much, what types … ) which maximize benefits for healthy human minds & brains BEYOND …….. Neeper et al (1995)

How different lifestyle choices (i.e. good & bad) trade off with regard to different behavioral & brain outcomes. Molteni et al (2004) diet & exercise EXERCISE

Multimodal interventions - how best to combine exercise, intellectual engagement, social activities, diet, etc ……. Fried, Carlson, Rebok et al Experience Corps

Behavioral interventions meet molecular genetics - Can we customize interventions based on our genome? Schuit et al (2001)

Keep on exercising ! Keep on exercising ! after all.... what do you have to lose... what do you have to lose... other than a few joints that are that are replaceable anyway.... replaceable anyway.... He who limps is still walking. - Stanislaw J. Lec