Exercise Training to Improve Cognitive Function

Background/Rationale:

Alzheimer's disease (AD) afflicts nearly 6 million Americans, a number projected to grow in coming decades. AD is known to have a long preclinical phase in which pathophysiologic processes develop many years, even decades, before the onset of clinical symptoms. During this preclinical phase there is evidence of unremitting decline in cognitive function, particularly in episodic memory. Thus far, evidence of the efficacy of pharmacological interventions to slow this decline in cognitive function has been limited, leading to increasing interest in the utility of nonpharmacological interventions including exercise.

Objective:

The investigators propose to assess the feasibility of a novel home-based exercise intervention to improve episodic memory in Veterans with mild cognitive impairment (MCI).

Methods:

The investigators will estimate the difference between the intervention (n=30) and the control group (n=30) on 6-month change in episodic memory (Rey-Osterrieth Complex Figure Test, Wechsler Logical Memory Test) as well as the effect size, which will be used as a basis for sample size calculation for a proposed larger study. Participants will be male and female Veterans 50 years of age or older with amnestic MCI.

Inclusion criteria

• Amnestic MCI
• Ability to use a telephone without assistance

Exclusion criteria

• Angina Pectoris
• History of myocardial infarction within 6 months
• History of ventricular dysrhythmia requiring current therapy