How exercise affects brain health in older adults with a history of depression
Official title: Biomolecular Mediators of Aerobic Exercise effects on Cognitive and Brain Health in Remitted Late-life Depression
Funded at University of Pittsburgh at Pittsburgh · NIH-11056423 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how aerobic exercise can help improve brain health and thinking skills in older adults who have dealt with late-life depression, with the hope of finding ways to boost their cognitive function without medication.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R03 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Pittsburgh at Pittsburgh NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Pittsburgh, United States) |
| Project start | December 1, 2024 |
| Project end | November 30, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $77,140 |
| NIH project number | 1R03MH136435-01A1 |
| Project ID | NIH-11056423 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are older adults who have remitted late-life depression and are at risk for developing Alzheimer's disease or related dementias.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who are currently experiencing severe depression or other significant psychiatric disorders may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates the impact of aerobic exercise on cognitive and brain health in older adults who have experienced late-life depression. It aims to understand how exercise can potentially reverse neurobiological changes associated with depression that increase the risk of Alzheimer's disease and related dementias. By identifying specific biomolecular targets in the blood that mediate the benefits of exercise, the study seeks to provide insights into non-drug interventions that could improve cognitive function in this vulnerable population. Participants may engage in structured exercise programs while their cognitive health and biological markers are monitored.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to effective non-pharmacological interventions that improve cognitive health and reduce the risk of dementia in older adults with a history of depression.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown that exercise can have positive effects on cognitive health in older adults, suggesting that this approach may be promising for those with a history of depression.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Pittsburgh at Pittsburgh
Pittsburgh, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Gujral, Swathi — University of Pittsburgh at Pittsburgh
- Study coordinator: Gujral, Swathi
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
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Combining rTMS and aerobic exercise to help post-stroke depression and walking
A new approach tests whether adding aerobic exercise to rTMS can reduce depression after stroke and improve walking.
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How aerobic exercise may help brain health and thinking after late-life depression
This work looks at whether regular aerobic exercise can improve brain health and thinking in older adults who have recovered from late-life depression.
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rTMS plus aerobic exercise for post‑stroke depression and walking recovery
This project combines repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) with aerobic exercise to try to reduce depression and improve walking for people after a stroke.
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Using aerobic exercise to improve brain health in older adults with a history of depression
This study is looking at how regular aerobic exercise can help improve brain health and thinking skills in older adults who have dealt with depression later in life, and it involves participants joining exercise programs while their brain activity and mental abilities are monitored.
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Using exercise and brain stimulation to help people with depression after a stroke
This study is looking at whether doing aerobic exercise along with a special treatment called rTMS can help people who are feeling depressed after a stroke feel better and recover more effectively.
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Biotype-based Personalization of Antidepressant Augmentation in Late-Life Depression
A multi-site study will test a computer-guided approach to choosing the best augmentation option for older adults with treatment-resistant depression.
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.