Actively Recruiting

Phase 2
Age: 60Years +
All Genders
Healthy Volunteers
ID05597124

Determinants of Individual Differences in the Efficacy of Aerobic Exercise to Improve Brain Health and Reduce Alzheimer's Disease Risk in Older African Americans

Led by Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey · Updated on 2026-02-20

280

Participants Needed

1

Research Sites

13 weeks

Total Duration

On this page

Sponsors

R

Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey

Lead Sponsor

G

Göteborg University

Collaborating Sponsor

AI-Summary

What this Trial Is About

Researchers are studying the effects of different types of exercise on brain health and Alzheimer's disease risk in older African Americans. This research focuses on comparing Cardio-Dance Fitness (CDF) with Strength, Flexibility, and Balance (SFB) exercises, investigating their impact on cognitive markers and brain function related to Alzheimer's. The study also explores how genetic variations in the ABCA7 gene may influence how individuals respond to these exercise programs. Participants will be randomly assigned to one of two groups: the CDF group, which involves aerobic cardio-dance classes held three times a week for about 60 minutes each session over six months, or the SFB active control group, which meets with the same frequency and duration but focuses on non-aerobic strength, flexibility, and balance exercises. Both interventions include social interaction and are designed to be engaging and structurally equivalent. Throughout the study, participants will undergo health assessments, cognitive testing, structural and functional MRI scans, and blood draws at the start and end of the six-month intervention. These evaluations will measure changes in cognitive performance, brain neural flexibility, and Alzheimer's biomarkers like amyloid and tau proteins. The researchers will monitor these outcomes to understand the effects of the exercise programs and the role of genetic factors in modifying these effects.

CONDITIONS

Brief Title

Exercise to Improve Brain Health in Older African Americans

Who Can Participate

Age: 60Years +
All Genders
Healthy Volunteers

Eligibility Criteria

Eligible

You may qualify if you...

  • Self-identify as African American or Black
  • Age 60 years or older
  • Able to speak, read, and understand English
  • Available over the study period
  • Able to walk independently without wheelchair, walker, or cane
  • Low physical activity levels (less than 60 minutes per week) based on International Physical Activity Questionnaire
  • Score between 28 and 35 on the Telephone Interview for Cognitive Status Modified
  • Score between 20 and 26 on the Montreal Cognitive Assessment during screening
  • Have clearance to participate from primary care physician with oversight by study physician
Not Eligible

You will not qualify if you...

  • Color blindness
  • Diagnosed neurological disorders including headaches and peripheral neuropathy
  • Diagnosed or self-reported non-neurological conditions likely affecting brain outcomes such as major depressive disorder (or Geriatric Depression Scale-Short Form score ≥ 5), schizophrenia, delusional disorder, schizoaffective disorder, psychosis, substance-related and addictive disorders (or treatment in past five years)
  • Chemotherapy or radiation treatment for cancers
  • Planning to undergo general anesthesia during the study period
  • Exercise contraindications including orthopedic complications, recent heart attack, coronary artery bypass grafting, angioplasty, current congestive heart failure treatment, angina, uncontrolled arrhythmia, deep vein thrombosis, other cardiovascular events, or uncontrolled hypertension with blood pressure > 180/110 mmHg

AI-Screening

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Your Study Journey

Screening

Duration - 2 to 4 weeks

Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial.

1 visit (in-person)

Outpatient Treatment

Duration - 24 weeks (approximately 6 months)

Participants engage in either a Cardio-Dance Fitness exercise or a Strength, Flexibility & Balance exercise program to improve brain health.

Three exercise sessions per week, approximately 60 minutes each

Follow-up

Duration - At enrollment and post-intervention

Participants complete health assessments, cognitive tests, MRI scans, and blood draws at enrollment and after the intervention to evaluate changes.

2 visits (in-person)

Trial Site Locations

Total: 1 location

1

Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey - Newark campus

Newark, New Jersey, United States, 07102

Actively Recruiting

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Research Team

B

Bernadette A. Fausto, PhD

J

Jennifer Greene, MPH

How is the study designed?

Study Type

INTERVENTIONAL

Masking

TRIPLE

Allocation

RANDOMIZED

Model

PARALLEL

Primary Purpose

PREVENTION

Number of Arms

2

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Published Research Related To This Trial

Examining the efficacy of a cardio-dance intervention on brain health and the moderating role of ABCA7 in older African Americans: a protocol for a randomized controlled trial.

Mark A Gluck, Joshua L Gills, Bernadette A Fausto...

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38076534