Effects of exercise on brain insulin sensitivity in older adults

Impact of Acute Exercise on Brain Insulin Sensitivity in Middle-aged to Older Adults

Phase2; Phase3 Interventional Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey · NCT05853913

This study tests if doing aerobic exercise can improve brain insulin sensitivity and help middle-aged to older adults think better and reduce their risk of dementia and other health issues.

Quick facts

PhasePhase2; Phase3
Study typeInterventional
Enrollment40 (estimated)
Ages40 Years to 80 Years
SexAll
SponsorRutgers, The State University of New Jersey Academic / other
Locations4 sites (New Brunswick, New Jersey and 3 other locations)
Trial IDNCT05853913 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this trial studies

This study investigates how acute exercise influences brain insulin sensitivity in middle-aged to older adults, particularly focusing on its effects on cognition and cardiometabolic health. Participants will engage in aerobic exercise to assess changes in brain function and structure, which may help mitigate risks associated with dementia and other metabolic conditions. The study aims to fill the gap in understanding the relationship between exercise and brain insulin resistance, which is crucial for improving health outcomes in aging populations.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: Ideal candidates are adults aged 40 to 80 with a body mass index between 25 and 45 who engage in less than 150 minutes of moderate to high-intensity exercise per week.

Not a fit: Patients with significant metabolic, cardiac, or other serious health conditions, as well as those who are pregnant or have contraindications to exercise, may not benefit from this study.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this study could lead to improved cognitive function and reduced risk of dementia in older adults through targeted exercise interventions.

How similar studies have performed: Other studies have shown positive outcomes with exercise interventions in improving metabolic health, but this specific focus on brain insulin sensitivity in aging is relatively novel.

Eligibility criteria

Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria:

* Male or female \>40 and \<80 years old.
* Has a body mass index \>25 and \<45 kg/m2.
* Physical Activity (\<150 min of moderate/high intensity exercise per week)

Exclusion Criteria:

* Subjects who have not been weight stable (\>2 kg weight change in past 3 months)
* Subjects who are smokers or who have quit smoking \<1 years ago
* Subjects with abnormal estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR).
* Hypertriglyceridemic (\>400 mg/dl) and hypercholesterolemic (\>260 mg/dl) subjects
* Hypertensive (\>160/100 mmHg)
* Subjects with a history of significant metabolic, cardiac, congestive heart failure, cerebrovascular, hematological, pulmonary, gastrointestinal, liver, renal, or endocrine disease or cancer that in the investigator's opinion would interfere with or alter the outcome measures or impact subject safety.
* Pregnant (as evidenced by positive urine pregnancy test) or nursing women
* Subjects with contraindications to participation in an exercise
* Current Pregnancy
* Currently taking active weight suppression medication (e.g. phentermine, orlistat, lorcaserin, naltrexone-bupropion in combination, liraglutide, benzphetamine, diethylpropion, phendimetrazine)
* Subjects currently taking medications that affect heart rate and rhythm (i.e. Ca++ channel blockers, nitrates, alpha- or beta-blockers).
* Known contraindications for MRI imaging

Where this trial is running

New Brunswick, New Jersey and 3 other locations

Study contacts

How to participate

  1. Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
  2. Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
  3. Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.
Conditions AgingObesityInsulin ResistanceCognitionCardiovascular Disease RiskExercise
Last reviewed 2026-06-13 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.