- ICH GCP
- US Clinical Trials Registry
- Clinical Trial NCT01538693
Molecular Markers of Neuroplasticity During Exercise in People With Incomplete Spinal Cord Injury
Molecular Markers of Neuroplasticity During High-Intensity Exercise in Subjects With Incomplete Spinal Cord Injury
Study Overview
Status
Conditions
Intervention / Treatment
Detailed Description
The protein brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) is known to promote cell survival, improve synaptic function, and induce neuronal morphological changes. Consequently, BDNF plays a major role in neuroplasticity and the ability of the central nervous system to adapt and recover following injury. Regardless of the molecular mechanisms by which this occurs (which are poorly understood), potentiating the expression of BDNF following spinal cord injury has been shown to improve functional outcomes in animals.(1, 2) It is well documented in both animal and human literature that the production BDNF increases with physical exercise in healthy populations and individuals with chronic disease or disability. (3) The literature suggests that this increase is proportional to the intensity of exercise, though the parameters of exercise to maximize this effect are poorly understood. (2, 4-6) From animal research, it has been postulated that serotonin (5HT) plays a role in the mechanism of increase in BDNF expression, (7-9) with findings that specifically demonstrate potentiation of the exercise-induced expression with antidepressant treatment(10)and a blunted response when monoaminergic signaling is blocked.(11) A specific genetic variation in the BDNF gene, found in approximately 30% of the population has also been noted as an important factor in the proper release of BDNF with associated deficits in motor learning. (12, 13) Initial evidence also suggests that this polymorphism may have an impact of the relationship between exercise and BDNF. (14, 15) The objective of this study is the evaluate the response of serum concentrations of brain-derived neurotrophic factor ([BDNF]s) to an acute bout of exercise in ambulatory people with incomplete spinal cord injury; additionally, to examine the effect of pharmacological agents that alter serotonergic (5HT) transmission on this exercise-induced change in [BDNF]s. To achieve this objective we will investigate [BDNF]s during a treadmill test alone and in combination with two commonly used medications; escitalopram oxalate , a selective-5HT reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) and cyproheptadine (CYPRO), a 5HT antagonist.
Studies have also shown a relationship of BDNF to mood, in particular, depression. A secondary study will be performed in parallel with the primary study with the purpose of examining mood and how it correlates with the molecular markers for neuroplasticity as individuals participate in the repeated exercise and the other stated interventions. As the subjects progress over the course of the study time mood may change and may impact the relationship of the BDNF to the primary interventions.
Study Type
Enrollment (Anticipated)
Phase
- Not Applicable
Contacts and Locations
Study Locations
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Illinois
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Chicago, Illinois, United States, 60611
- Rehabiliation Institute of Chicago
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Participation Criteria
Eligibility Criteria
Ages Eligible for Study
Accepts Healthy Volunteers
Genders Eligible for Study
Description
Inclusion Criteria:
- Must be motor incomplete spinal cord injury (ASIA C or D) of 1 year or greater duration, with anatomical lesions between C1-T10
- Must be between 18 and 75 years of age
- Must be ambulatory with passive range of motion consistent with normal walking, and must include: ankle dorsiflexion ankle to 10° and plantarflexion to 30°, knee flexion from 0 to 90°, hip flexion/extension to 90° to -10°.
- Must be medically stable with medical clearance to participate, with absence of concurrent severe medical illness including: unhealed decubiti, existing infection, significant cardiovascular or metabolic disease which limits exercise participation, significant osteoporosis (as indicated by history of fractures following injury), active heterotrophic ossification in the lower extremities, known history of peripheral nerve injury in lower legs, history of known traumatic head injury, mental illness, history of pre-existing QT interval prolongation, congenital long QT syndrome, and history of pulmonary complications, including significant obstructive and/or restrictive lung diseases
- May be undergoing concurrent physical therapy
- May be of childbearing potential (for women)
- Men and women will be recruited for participation in the proposed study at rates consistent with national and local average of gender disparities of SCI (80% male, 20% women)
- Individuals of different ethnicities will be recruited at rates similar to the national and local ethnicity rates. Current data since 2005 indicate that of the entire population of SCI, 66.1% are Caucasian, 27.1% are African American, 6.6% are of Hispanic origin, and 2.0% are Asian.
Exclusion Criteria:
- Weighing more than 300lbs
- Ventilator-dependency
- Use of substantial orthopedic bracing to stabilize the cervical or thoracic vertebral column
- Inability to tolerate 10 minutes of standing without orthostasis (decrease in blood pressure by 20 mmHg systolic and 10 mmHg diastolic).
- Women who are pregnant or who are considering becoming pregnant will be excluded due to the trunk and pelvis restraints required for use during locomotion, and secondary to the unknown effects of the pharmacological agents on the developing fetus
- Exhibiting symptoms suggestive of depression according to the Personal health Questionaire (PHQ-9)
- Subjects who exhibit hemoglobin levels consistent with anemia (<13g/dL for men and <12g/dL for women) will be excluded from the study.
- Currently taking prescribed anti-depressant medications, including specific monoaminergic agents, their precursors or their agonists, antipsychotics, medications known to prolong the QT interval, or other medications with known interactions to the SSRIs. All subjects will be excluded from participation unless both attending physician and patient agree to cease all such medications during the evaluation and training period. A 14-day washout period for SSRIs and a 72 hour washout for Tizanidine will be utilized. Subjects will be financially responsible for the physician visits necessary to wean from medication. Completion of appropriate and safe weaning will be confirmed by the patients' physician.
- Currently taking prescribed anti-spastic medications. Specific agents to be excluded include baclofen (Lioresal®) and benzodiazepines (Diazepam®). Selected agents used for pain modulation will be evaluated per subject to ascertain potential interactions with test agent. All subjects will be excluded from participation unless both attending physician and patient agree to cease all such medications during the evaluation and training period. A 72-hour minimum washout period for all such medications will be utilized. Subjects will be financially responsible for the physician visits necessary to wean from medication. Completion of appropriate and safe weaning will be confirmed by the patients' physician.
- Clinically diagnosed liver, renal, or other metabolic disease that may interfere with drug action and/or clearance
Study Plan
How is the study designed?
Design Details
- Primary Purpose: Basic Science
- Allocation: Randomized
- Interventional Model: Crossover Assignment
- Masking: Double
Arms and Interventions
Participant Group / Arm |
Intervention / Treatment |
---|---|
Active Comparator: escitalopram oxalate
Exercise testing with escitalopram oxalate dose
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10 mg 4.5 hours prior to testing
Other Names:
modified bruce protocol for peak oxygen consumption testing
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Active Comparator: cyproheptadine
exercise testing with cyproheptadine dose
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modified bruce protocol for peak oxygen consumption testing
8mg 4.5 hours prior to testing
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Placebo Comparator: placebo
exercise testing with placebo dose
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modified bruce protocol for peak oxygen consumption testing
4.5 hour prior to testing
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What is the study measuring?
Primary Outcome Measures
Outcome Measure |
Measure Description |
Time Frame |
---|---|---|
Change in blood serum concentration of neuroplastic proteins
Time Frame: assessed prior to, throughout, and following the duration of a graded exercise test, over an expected average of 2 hours
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During a graded treadmill test, 5mL of blood will be taken at each speed the subject is able to obtain before failure.
5mL of blood will also be taken immediately after completion of the treadmill test and every 10 minutes for up to 30 minutes after completion.
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assessed prior to, throughout, and following the duration of a graded exercise test, over an expected average of 2 hours
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Secondary Outcome Measures
Outcome Measure |
Time Frame |
---|---|
fastest possible walking velocity overground
Time Frame: one time, baseline measure
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one time, baseline measure
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Six Minute Walk Distance
Time Frame: one time basline measurement
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one time basline measurement
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Volitional strength: Lower Extremity Motor Score
Time Frame: one time baseline measure
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one time baseline measure
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Modified Ashworth Scale
Time Frame: one time baseline measurement
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one time baseline measurement
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Spinal Cord Assessment tool for Spasticity
Time Frame: one time baseline measure
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one time baseline measure
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Measure of Community mobility
Time Frame: Step activity monitor worn on lower extremity for 7 days
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Step activity monitor worn on lower extremity for 7 days
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Sagittal plane kinematics of excursions of hip/knee/ankle
Time Frame: continuous assessment for an average of ten minutes at each visit
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continuous assessment for an average of ten minutes at each visit
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Peak ambulation velocity
Time Frame: One time measure at the end of each graded intensity treadmilll test
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One time measure at the end of each graded intensity treadmilll test
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Oxygen consumption
Time Frame: continuous assessment for an average of ten minutes at each visit
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continuous assessment for an average of ten minutes at each visit
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Heart Rate
Time Frame: continuous assessment for an average of ten minutes at each visit
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continuous assessment for an average of ten minutes at each visit
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Rating of Perceived Exertion (Borg Scale)
Time Frame: continuous assessment for an average of ten minutes at each visit
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continuous assessment for an average of ten minutes at each visit
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Collaborators and Investigators
Sponsor
Investigators
- Principal Investigator: Thomas G Hornby, PhD, PT, University of Illinois at Chicago, Rehabiliation Institute of Chicago, Northwestern University
Publications and helpful links
General Publications
- Nibuya M, Morinobu S, Duman RS. Regulation of BDNF and trkB mRNA in rat brain by chronic electroconvulsive seizure and antidepressant drug treatments. J Neurosci. 1995 Nov;15(11):7539-47. doi: 10.1523/JNEUROSCI.15-11-07539.1995.
- Cheeran B, Talelli P, Mori F, Koch G, Suppa A, Edwards M, Houlden H, Bhatia K, Greenwood R, Rothwell JC. A common polymorphism in the brain-derived neurotrophic factor gene (BDNF) modulates human cortical plasticity and the response to rTMS. J Physiol. 2008 Dec 1;586(23):5717-25. doi: 10.1113/jphysiol.2008.159905. Epub 2008 Oct 9.
- Ying Z, Roy RR, Zhong H, Zdunowski S, Edgerton VR, Gomez-Pinilla F. BDNF-exercise interactions in the recovery of symmetrical stepping after a cervical hemisection in rats. Neuroscience. 2008 Sep 9;155(4):1070-8. doi: 10.1016/j.neuroscience.2008.06.057. Epub 2008 Jul 3.
- Ying Z, Roy RR, Edgerton VR, Gomez-Pinilla F. Exercise restores levels of neurotrophins and synaptic plasticity following spinal cord injury. Exp Neurol. 2005 Jun;193(2):411-9. doi: 10.1016/j.expneurol.2005.01.015.
- Knaepen K, Goekint M, Heyman EM, Meeusen R. Neuroplasticity - exercise-induced response of peripheral brain-derived neurotrophic factor: a systematic review of experimental studies in human subjects. Sports Med. 2010 Sep 1;40(9):765-801. doi: 10.2165/11534530-000000000-00000.
- Ferris LT, Williams JS, Shen CL. The effect of acute exercise on serum brain-derived neurotrophic factor levels and cognitive function. Med Sci Sports Exerc. 2007 Apr;39(4):728-34. doi: 10.1249/mss.0b013e31802f04c7.
- Cotman CW, Berchtold NC. Exercise: a behavioral intervention to enhance brain health and plasticity. Trends Neurosci. 2002 Jun;25(6):295-301. doi: 10.1016/s0166-2236(02)02143-4.
- Neeper SA, Gomez-Pinilla F, Choi J, Cotman CW. Physical activity increases mRNA for brain-derived neurotrophic factor and nerve growth factor in rat brain. Brain Res. 1996 Jul 8;726(1-2):49-56.
- Ivy AS, Rodriguez FG, Garcia C, Chen MJ, Russo-Neustadt AA. Noradrenergic and serotonergic blockade inhibits BDNF mRNA activation following exercise and antidepressant. Pharmacol Biochem Behav. 2003 Apr;75(1):81-8. doi: 10.1016/s0091-3057(03)00044-3.
- Russo-Neustadt AA, Beard RC, Huang YM, Cotman CW. Physical activity and antidepressant treatment potentiate the expression of specific brain-derived neurotrophic factor transcripts in the rat hippocampus. Neuroscience. 2000;101(2):305-12. doi: 10.1016/s0306-4522(00)00349-3.
- Russo-Neustadt A, Beard RC, Cotman CW. Exercise, antidepressant medications, and enhanced brain derived neurotrophic factor expression. Neuropsychopharmacology. 1999 Nov;21(5):679-82. doi: 10.1016/S0893-133X(99)00059-7.
- Garcia C, Chen MJ, Garza AA, Cotman CW, Russo-Neustadt A. The influence of specific noradrenergic and serotonergic lesions on the expression of hippocampal brain-derived neurotrophic factor transcripts following voluntary physical activity. Neuroscience. 2003;119(3):721-32. doi: 10.1016/s0306-4522(03)00192-1.
- Pearson-Fuhrhop KM, Cramer SC. Genetic influences on neural plasticity. PM R. 2010 Dec;2(12 Suppl 2):S227-40. doi: 10.1016/j.pmrj.2010.09.011.
- Bryan A, Hutchison KE, Seals DR, Allen DL. A transdisciplinary model integrating genetic, physiological, and psychological correlates of voluntary exercise. Health Psychol. 2007 Jan;26(1):30-9. doi: 10.1037/0278-6133.26.1.30.
- Mata J, Thompson RJ, Gotlib IH. BDNF genotype moderates the relation between physical activity and depressive symptoms. Health Psychol. 2010 Mar;29(2):130-3. doi: 10.1037/a0017261.
Study record dates
Study Major Dates
Study Start
Primary Completion (Actual)
Study Completion (Actual)
Study Registration Dates
First Submitted
First Submitted That Met QC Criteria
First Posted (Estimate)
Study Record Updates
Last Update Posted (Estimate)
Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria
Last Verified
More Information
Terms related to this study
Keywords
Additional Relevant MeSH Terms
- Central Nervous System Diseases
- Nervous System Diseases
- Trauma, Nervous System
- Spinal Cord Diseases
- Wounds and Injuries
- Spinal Cord Injuries
- Physiological Effects of Drugs
- Neurotransmitter Agents
- Molecular Mechanisms of Pharmacological Action
- Parasympatholytics
- Autonomic Agents
- Peripheral Nervous System Agents
- Muscarinic Antagonists
- Cholinergic Antagonists
- Cholinergic Agents
- Gastrointestinal Agents
- Dermatologic Agents
- Psychotropic Drugs
- Serotonin Uptake Inhibitors
- Neurotransmitter Uptake Inhibitors
- Membrane Transport Modulators
- Serotonin Agents
- Antidepressive Agents
- Serotonin Antagonists
- Antidepressive Agents, Second-Generation
- Anti-Allergic Agents
- Histamine H1 Antagonists
- Histamine Antagonists
- Histamine Agents
- Antipruritics
- Antiparkinson Agents
- Anti-Dyskinesia Agents
- Citalopram
- Dexetimide
- Cyproheptadine
Other Study ID Numbers
- STU00056144
This information was retrieved directly from the website clinicaltrials.gov without any changes. If you have any requests to change, remove or update your study details, please contact register@clinicaltrials.gov. As soon as a change is implemented on clinicaltrials.gov, this will be updated automatically on our website as well.
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