Aerobic Exercise Alters Brain Function and Structure in Parkinson's Disease: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Ann Neurol. 2022 Feb;91(2):203-216. doi: 10.1002/ana.26291. Epub 2022 Jan 19.

Abstract

Objective: Randomized clinical trials have shown that aerobic exercise attenuates motor symptom progression in Parkinson's disease, but the underlying neural mechanisms are unclear. Here, we investigated how aerobic exercise influences disease-related functional and structural changes in the corticostriatal sensorimotor network, which is involved in the emergence of motor deficits in Parkinson's disease. Additionally, we explored effects of aerobic exercise on tissue integrity of the substantia nigra, and on behavioral and cerebral indices of cognitive control.

Methods: The Park-in-Shape trial is a single-center, double-blind randomized controlled trial in 130 Parkinson's disease patients who were randomly assigned (1:1 ratio) to aerobic exercise (stationary home trainer) or stretching (active control) interventions (duration = 6 months). An unselected subset from this trial (exercise, n = 25; stretching, n = 31) underwent resting-state functional and structural magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and an oculomotor cognitive control task (pro- and antisaccades), at baseline and at 6-month follow-up.

Results: Aerobic exercise, but not stretching, led to increased functional connectivity of the anterior putamen with the sensorimotor cortex relative to the posterior putamen. Behaviorally, aerobic exercise also improved cognitive control. Furthermore, aerobic exercise increased functional connectivity in the right frontoparietal network, proportionally to fitness improvements, and it reduced global brain atrophy.

Interpretation: MRI, clinical, and behavioral results converge toward the conclusion that aerobic exercise stabilizes disease progression in the corticostriatal sensorimotor network and enhances cognitive performance. ANN NEUROL 2022;91:203-216.

Publication types

  • Randomized Controlled Trial
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Behavior
  • Brain / physiopathology*
  • Cognition
  • Double-Blind Method
  • Exercise Therapy / methods*
  • Exercise*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Magnetic Resonance Imaging
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Nerve Net / diagnostic imaging
  • Nerve Net / physiopathology
  • Parkinson Disease / diagnostic imaging
  • Parkinson Disease / psychology
  • Parkinson Disease / therapy*
  • Prospective Studies
  • Psychomotor Performance
  • Putamen / diagnostic imaging
  • Putamen / physiopathology
  • Sensorimotor Cortex / diagnostic imaging
  • Sensorimotor Cortex / physiopathology
  • Substantia Nigra / diagnostic imaging
  • Substantia Nigra / physiopathology