340 Assessing the effects of balance training on executive functions and BDNF biomarkers in Alzheimer’s disease patients

Objectives/Goals: As the aging population increases, maintaining cognitive and physical health becomes crucial. Executive functions (EF), including reaction time, sustained attention, and spatial memory, are essential for daily life and independence in older adults but tend to decline with age, espe...

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Main Authors: Joel Acevedo, Karen Martinez, Claudia Amaya, Liu Kun
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Cambridge University Press 2025-04-01
Series:Journal of Clinical and Translational Science
Online Access:https://www.cambridge.org/core/product/identifier/S2059866124009695/type/journal_article
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author Joel Acevedo
Karen Martinez
Claudia Amaya
Liu Kun
author_facet Joel Acevedo
Karen Martinez
Claudia Amaya
Liu Kun
author_sort Joel Acevedo
collection DOAJ
description Objectives/Goals: As the aging population increases, maintaining cognitive and physical health becomes crucial. Executive functions (EF), including reaction time, sustained attention, and spatial memory, are essential for daily life and independence in older adults but tend to decline with age, especially in Alzheimer’s disease (AD) patients. Methods/Study Population: Physical balance (PB) impairments further exacerbate this decline, affecting the quality of life and independence. Balance training (BT) emerges as a potential non-pharmacological intervention to enhance EF. This study aims to 1) assess the association between PB impairments and EF deterioration in older adults with AD; 2) evaluate the impact of BT on EF enhancement in this population; and 3) explore changes in brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) biomarkers before and after physical activity related to BT. This pilot study employs a cross-sectional design with older Hispanic adults (>65 years) in Puerto Rico, comparing a control group without BT intervention to an experimental group with BT intervention. Both groups will be assessed for EF and BDNF biomarkers pre- and post-physical activity. Results/Anticipated Results: Expected outcomes include identifying significant correlations between PB impairment and diminished EF, demonstrating measurable EF improvements following BT, and evidencing sustained BDNF release post-BT despite PB impairments. By understanding the biological mechanisms linking BT and cognitive improvements, particularly the role of BDNF, this research could inform future strategies to mitigate cognitive decline in AD patients through targeted physical interventions. Discussion/Significance of Impact: The findings of this study could provide valuable insights into the development of new preventive interventions, enhancing the quality of life and independence for older adults.
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spelling doaj-art-717bf1e33bd94d209a93a1723882dbcc2025-08-20T03:40:18ZengCambridge University PressJournal of Clinical and Translational Science2059-86612025-04-01910410510.1017/cts.2024.969340 Assessing the effects of balance training on executive functions and BDNF biomarkers in Alzheimer’s disease patientsJoel Acevedo0Karen Martinez1Claudia Amaya2Liu Kun3University of Puerto Rico, Medical Sciences CampusUniversity of Puerto Rico, Medical Sciences CampusUniversity of Puerto Rico, Medical Sciences CampusYale UniversityObjectives/Goals: As the aging population increases, maintaining cognitive and physical health becomes crucial. Executive functions (EF), including reaction time, sustained attention, and spatial memory, are essential for daily life and independence in older adults but tend to decline with age, especially in Alzheimer’s disease (AD) patients. Methods/Study Population: Physical balance (PB) impairments further exacerbate this decline, affecting the quality of life and independence. Balance training (BT) emerges as a potential non-pharmacological intervention to enhance EF. This study aims to 1) assess the association between PB impairments and EF deterioration in older adults with AD; 2) evaluate the impact of BT on EF enhancement in this population; and 3) explore changes in brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) biomarkers before and after physical activity related to BT. This pilot study employs a cross-sectional design with older Hispanic adults (>65 years) in Puerto Rico, comparing a control group without BT intervention to an experimental group with BT intervention. Both groups will be assessed for EF and BDNF biomarkers pre- and post-physical activity. Results/Anticipated Results: Expected outcomes include identifying significant correlations between PB impairment and diminished EF, demonstrating measurable EF improvements following BT, and evidencing sustained BDNF release post-BT despite PB impairments. By understanding the biological mechanisms linking BT and cognitive improvements, particularly the role of BDNF, this research could inform future strategies to mitigate cognitive decline in AD patients through targeted physical interventions. Discussion/Significance of Impact: The findings of this study could provide valuable insights into the development of new preventive interventions, enhancing the quality of life and independence for older adults.https://www.cambridge.org/core/product/identifier/S2059866124009695/type/journal_article
spellingShingle Joel Acevedo
Karen Martinez
Claudia Amaya
Liu Kun
340 Assessing the effects of balance training on executive functions and BDNF biomarkers in Alzheimer’s disease patients
Journal of Clinical and Translational Science
title 340 Assessing the effects of balance training on executive functions and BDNF biomarkers in Alzheimer’s disease patients
title_full 340 Assessing the effects of balance training on executive functions and BDNF biomarkers in Alzheimer’s disease patients
title_fullStr 340 Assessing the effects of balance training on executive functions and BDNF biomarkers in Alzheimer’s disease patients
title_full_unstemmed 340 Assessing the effects of balance training on executive functions and BDNF biomarkers in Alzheimer’s disease patients
title_short 340 Assessing the effects of balance training on executive functions and BDNF biomarkers in Alzheimer’s disease patients
title_sort 340 assessing the effects of balance training on executive functions and bdnf biomarkers in alzheimer s disease patients
url https://www.cambridge.org/core/product/identifier/S2059866124009695/type/journal_article
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