Date of Award
6-2008
Document Type
Union College Only
Degree Name
Bachelor of Science
Department
Neuroscience
Language
English
Keywords
changes, alzheimer’s, analysis, disease, neuropsychological
Abstract
Research has demonstrated that exercise has a positive impact on neuropsychological performance in older adults (Colcombe, 2004). This prospective study investigates the neurocognitive, volumetric and electrical brain changes associated with strength training in patients with Alzheimer’s disease. Ten patients of the Stratton Veterans Affairs Medical Center who meet criteria for early Alzheimer’s Disease will be given a neuropsychological evaluation, a structural magnetic resonance imaging scan (MRI) and an electroencephleography (EEG) before and after a four-week long strengthening exercise program. Cognitive changes will be assessed through the analysis of the neuropsychological data, analysis for volumetric changes will be done on the MRI scans using voxel-based morphometry and analysis of the EEG will be done to assess electrical changes. Results may aid development of future treatments for Alzheimer’s Disease and other forms of dementia.
Recommended Citation
Ludwig, Natasha N., "The effect of strength training on cognitive functioning and brain volume in patients with early Alzheimer’s disease" (2008). Honors Theses. 1482.
https://digitalworks.union.edu/theses/1482