Date of Award

6-2010

Document Type

Union College Only

Degree Name

Bachelor of Science

Department

Neuroscience

First Advisor

Stephen Romero

Language

English

Keywords

exercise, program, volume, brain, changes

Abstract

Previous research suggests that certain exercise programs can result in an increase in hippocampal volume (e.g., Pajonk et al., 2010). This study examined the effects of the use of a cycling exercise program on brain volume as assessed with Voxel Based Morphomotry (VBM). Structural Magnetic Resonance Images (MRI) from eight participants were collected prior to and after a structured exercise program, and were then analyzed for differences in brain volume. The exercise program involved exercising on a stationary bicycle for two hours three times a week. Changes in gray matter (GM), white matter (WM) and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) were examined using VBM. Differences in voxel intensity (i.e., density) and total volume (i.e. number of voxels) were used to establish changes due to the exercise program. Significant increases in WM intensity were seen in the precentral gyrus and medial frontal gyrus, suggesting an increased connectivity between motor and executive function regions of the brain.

Download
Off-Campus Download

Share

COinS