Abstract
Background: Aerobic endurance training has been discussed to induce brain plasticity and improve cognitive functions in healthy subjects and patients with neuropsychiatric disorders. For schizophrenia, a motor cortical inhibitory deficit has been established as one aspect of impaired plasticity, especially involving impairments in GABAergic interneuron networks, but the possibility to restore these deficits via exercise-induced plasticity has not been evaluated yet. Methods: 17 schizophrenia patients and 16 matched healthy controls underwent 3 months of aerobic endurance training (30 min, 3 times a week) on bicycle ergometers. After 6 weeks, computer-assisted cognitive remediation training (30 min, 2 times a week) was added. Transcranial magnetic stimulation of the left and right hemispheres was performed at baseline and at the end of the intervention. We evaluated the intensity to induce a motor-evoked potential of 1 mV (S1mV), the resting motor threshold (RMT), the cortical silent period (CSP) at an intensity of 120 and 150% of the individual RMT, short-latency interval intracortical inhibition (3 ms), and intracortical facilitation (7 and 15 ms). Depending on the variable and hemisphere, follow-up data was available for 7-15 schizophrenia patients and for 10-12 healthy controls. Results: Repeated measures ANOVA revealed no significant time x group interactions for any of the analyzed variables. A significant increase in S1mV and CSP duration at 150% RMT of the left hemisphere could be observed in both groups over time. Conclusion: Regular ergometer training over 3 months increases motor cortical inhibition as displayed by an increase in CSP. The increase in S1mV may also indicate a higher degree of inhibition after the intervention. We could not establish a difference between schizophrenia patients and healthy controls. Due to the limited sample size, our results have to be considered as preliminary and need to be replicated in future trials.
Item Type: | Journal article |
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Faculties: | Medicine |
Subjects: | 600 Technology > 610 Medicine and health |
ISSN: | 0302-282X |
Language: | English |
Item ID: | 86859 |
Date Deposited: | 25. Jan 2022, 09:21 |
Last Modified: | 25. Jan 2022, 09:21 |