Brain Health and
Wellness Lab
Brain Research Publications
Welcome to the publications section of Brain Health and Wellness Lab. Our research focuses on the brain and we publish articles on various topics related to it. Our publications are a result of extensive research and experimentation. Click on the links below to read our latest publications.
Effect of exercise on sleep quality in Parkinson’s disease: a mini review
The growing incidence of Parkinson’s Disease (PD) is a major burden on the healthcare system. PD is caused by the degeneration of dopaminergic neurons and is known for its effects on motor function and sleep. Sleep is vital for maintaining proper homeostasis and clearing the brain of metabolic waste. Adequate time spent in each sleep stage can help maintain homeostatic function; however, patients with PD appear to exhibit sleep impairments. Although medications enhance the function of remaining dopaminergic neurons and reduce motor symptoms, their potential to improve sleep is still under question. Recently, research has shifted towards exercise protocols to help improve sleep in patients with PD. This review aims to provide an overview of how sleep is impaired in patients with PD, such as experiencing a reduction in time spent in slow-wave sleep, and how exercise can help restore normal sleep function. A PubMed search summarized the relevant research on the effects of aerobic and resistance exercise on sleep in patients with PD. Both high and low-intensity aerobic and resistance exercises, along with exercises related to balance and coordination, have been shown to improve some aspects of sleep. Neurochemically, sleeping leads to an increase in toxin clearance, including α-synuclein. Furthermore, exercise appears to enhance the concentration of brain-derived neurotrophic factors, which has preliminary evidence to suggest correlations to time spent in slow-wave sleep. More research is needed to further elucidate the physiological mechanism pertaining to sleep and exercise in patients with PD.
Parkinson’s Disease and the Cardiac Cycle: A Rapid Literature Review and Case Series
Background and Objectives: Cardiac function in patients with Parkinson’s Disease (PD) is not well understood. We conducted a review of the literature to summarize all available data on the cardiac cycle in patients with PD and followed up the review with a case series to describe the cardiac cycle timing intervals in this patient population. Methods: Using the search terms (“Cardiac cycle” OR “echocardiography” OR “LVET” OR “IVCT” OR “IVRT” OR “LVEF” OR “Systolic Dysfunction” OR “Diastolic Dysfunction”) AND (“Parkinson’s Disease”), 514 studies were found with 19 included in the review. Results: Studies focused on the impact of medication, the presence of autonomic dysfunction, and resting-state, descriptive observational studies which considered the cardiac cycle. While inconsistent, the evidence suggests that patients with PD have some systolic dysfunction, with recent research implying the presence of subclinical systolic dysfunction. From the case series, 13 participants with PD were included and collected cardiac data daily for 6 weeks. Heart rate was consistent on a weekly basis at 67–71 bpm. Mean week-by-week cardiac parameters were also consistent with the systolic time interval at 332–348 ms, isovolumic relaxation time at 92–96 ms, and isovolumic contraction time at 34–36 ms. Conclusion: These timing intervals add valuable normative values for this patient population and the review of the literature suggests that more research is required to better understand cardiac cycle timing intervals in patients with Parkinson’s Disease.
Brain Health and Fitness Classes in Older Adults: Effects on Feelings of Subjective Hope
INTRODUCTION: Cognition declines exponentially as individuals age, highlighting the importance of strategies to offset age-related conditions. Studies show that a healthy lifestyle can preserve cognitive function in older individuals. However, the number of individuals engaging in healthy lifestyle interventions like exercise decreases rapidly after the age of 60. Research suggests that more hopeful individuals are more likely to be engaged in healthy habits. This study evaluated whether participation in a brain health and wellness class improved the feeling of hope among older individuals. METHODS: Participants aged 60-76 years old took part in an 8-week brain health and fitness class. The class focused on teaching participants about nutrition, socialization, sleep, stress, and exercise as methods for improving brain health. Weekly classes were tailored to include relevant activities to encourage classroom participation. Participants were given the opportunity to participate in research and 4 individuals from the class chose to participate. Prior to the start of class, participants completed the Adult Hope Scale (AHS), which they completed again following the conclusion of the 8-week class. Their results were compared to 5 other individuals aged 53-71 who were on the wait list for the class and as such, were the control group. RESULTS: The 4 participants completed the 8-week course intervention and pre- and post-assessments with overall satisfaction about the requirements of the study and the course length. After the course, it was found that, on average, the intervention group experienced an increase in hope scale score from 56.5 to 58.5, whereas the control group showed no increase. CONCLUSION: Current literature shows that people with more hope are more likely to follow healthy habits. Individuals who took the Brain Health and Fitness class experienced increased feelings of subjective hope on average. Conversely, the control group who did not participate in the class, did not experienced an increase in feelings of subjective hope. These findings suggest a correlation between taking a Brain Health and Fitness class and improving subjective hope for older individuals. Future research will include larger sample sizes, including individuals with Parkinson’s Disease and other neurological conditions, as well as the general population.
Pharmacological and physiological effects of cannabidiol: a dose escalation, placebo washout study protocol
Background Cannabinoids such as cannabidiol (CBD) exhibit anti-inflammatory properties and have the potentialto act as a therapeutic following mild traumatic brain injury. There is limited evidence available on the pharmacologi-cal, physiological and psychological effects of escalating CBD dosages in a healthy, male, university athlete popula-tion. Furthermore, no dosing regimen for CBD is available with implications of improving physiological function. Thisstudy will develop an optimal CBD dose based on the pharmacokinetic data in contact-sport athletes. The physiologi-cal and psychological data will be correlated to the pharmacokinetic data to understand the mechanism(s) associatedwith an escalating CBD dose.Methods/design Forty participants will receive escalating doses of CBD ranging from 5 mg CBD/kg/day to 30 mgCBD/kg/day. The CBD dose is escalated every two weeks in increments of 5 mg CBD/kg/day. Participants will provideblood for pharmacological assessments at each of the 10 visits. Participants will complete a physiological assessmentat each of the visits, including assessments of cerebral hemodynamics, blood pressure, electrocardiogram, seismocar-diogram, transcranial magnetic stimulation, and salivary analysis for genomic sequencing. Finally, participants willcomplete a psychological assessment consisting of sleep, anxiety, and pain-related questionnaires.Discussion This study will develop of an optimal CBD dose based on pharmacological, physiological, and psycho-logical properties for future use during contact sport seasons to understand if CBD can help to reduce the frequencyof mild traumatic injuries and enhance recovery.
Application of Functional MRI in Parkinson’s Disease and Default Mode Network: Review of the Literature
Parkinson’s disease (PD) has become the second most prominent neurogenerative disorder relating to aging individuals. PD involves the loss of neurons containing dopamine in the midbrain and leads to a number of motor issues as well as non-motor complications such as cognitive and psychological abnormalities. The default mode network (DMN) is a complex brain network primarily active during rest and serves multiple roles relating to memory, self-referential processing, social cognition and consciousness and awareness. Multiple brain regions are involved in the DMN such as the medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC), the posterior cingulate cortex (PCC), the inferior parietal lobule, the precuneus and the lateral temporal cortex. Normal DMN connectivity is vital to preserving consciousness and self-awareness. Neurological pathologies such as PD disrupt DMN connectivity, leading to complex issues. Functional MRI (fMRI) is a neuroimaging modality used to observe brain activity through measuring blood flow differences as it relates to brain activity. DMN connectivity experiments using fMRI find that individuals with PD exhibit impaired DMN connectivity in specific regions including the PCC, mPFC and the precuneus. Individuals with greater PD motor symptoms have also been found to suffer larger alterations in DMN connections anatomically within the frontal lobe and PCC. While fMRI has been utilized as a tool to explore the relationship between PD patients and DMN connectivity, future research should look to develop a better understanding of the specific mechanisms of action that drive this link between DMN abnormality and PD severity.