# Dementia Risk and Dynamic Response to Exercise

> **NIH NIH R21** · UNIVERSITY OF KANSAS MEDICAL CENTER · 2020 · $153,000

## Abstract

Abstract
The brain and cardiovascular system share common risk factors for age-related diseases such as
hypertension, hypercholesterolemia, and genetics (e.g. APOE4). Because of this link, much work has focused
on the role of cerebrovascular health in reducing dementia risk. Regular aerobic exercise has well-established
benefits for cardiovascular health and has been repeatedly linked to better cognition, brain health, and lower
risk of dementia. Despite strong evidence for sustained cognitive and brain outcomes, the mechanisms relating
aerobic exercise with brain health and cognition remain imprecisely defined. Amongst many potential
mechanisms, cerebral blood flow (CBF) and blood-based biomarkers, such as neurotrophins, are promising
targets for their shared association to brain and cardiovascular health. Prior investigations have largely
attempted to measure change in these mechanisms under resting conditions after an extended exercise
intervention with mixed and conflicting results. Further, studies have often not accounted for genetic
differences that may blunt the effect of exercise. Unlike prior work, our innovative approach is to begin by
characterizing the dynamic changes that result from an acute exercise challenge. A single bout of aerobic
exercise temporarily increases cerebral blood flow (CBF) and prompts neurotrophin release. These transient
changes ultimately drive long-term physiologic adaptation to exercise. Therefore, we will characterize the
dynamic response to an acute, standardized bout of aerobic exercise in a group of nondemented older adults,
comparing those who do and do not carry the APOE4 allele. The first aim will test if CBF response to an acute
exercise challenge is blunted in APOE4 carriers. The second aim will similarly test the acute exercise response
of blood-based biomarkers such as brain derived neurotrophic factor, insulin-like growth factor, and vascular
endothelial growth factor in APOE4 carriers versus non-carriers. Finally, we will explore the relationship of
acute changes in CBF with our blood-based biomarkers and cognitive performance. We expect that more
accurately understanding the acute effects will provide valuable insight into how aerobic exercise supports
cognitive function and brain health. Armed with this knowledge we can optimize biomarker measurement for
future exercise intervention randomized controlled trials, informing our long-term goal of identifying precision
exercise prescription for AD prevention.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 9977080
- **Project number:** 5R21AG061548-02
- **Recipient organization:** UNIVERSITY OF KANSAS MEDICAL CENTER
- **Principal Investigator:** Eric Dennis Vidoni
- **Activity code:** R21 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2020
- **Award amount:** $153,000
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2019-07-15 → 2022-04-30

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/9977080

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 9977080, Dementia Risk and Dynamic Response to Exercise (5R21AG061548-02). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-22 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/9977080. Licensed CC0.

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