Neurodegenerative

Cognitive and immunological effects of yoga compared to memory training in older women at risk for alzheimer's disease.

Translational psychiatryFebruary 14, 2024

View on PubMed DOI: 10.1038/s41398-024-02807-0

AI Summary

This randomized controlled trial examined whether Kundalini yoga training could benefit older women at risk for Alzheimer's disease compared to memory enhancement training. The study included 79 women with subjective cognitive decline and cardiovascular risk factors, with participants assigned to either 12 weeks of yoga classes (60 minutes weekly plus 12-minute daily home practice) or memory training sessions. While the yoga group had lower completion rates (65% vs 95%), those who completed the 24-week follow-up showed significant improvements in subjective cognitive impairment measures with large effect sizes compared to the memory training group. The researchers also found that yoga participants had unique changes in aging-associated gene expression patterns and immune system markers. Specifically, levels of eotaxin-1, a marker associated with aging, increased over time in the memory training group but remained stable in the yoga group. The study suggests that yoga may provide both cognitive and biological benefits through anti-inflammatory mechanisms, though the high dropout rate in the yoga group limits the findings.

Key Findings

Kundalini yoga showed significant, large effect size improvements in subjective cognitive impairment measures at 24-week follow-up compared to memory training
Yoga uniquely altered aging-associated gene signatures, including interferon gamma and psycho-neuro-immune pathways at 12- and 24-week follow-up
The aging marker eotaxin-1 increased over time in memory training participants but not in yoga participants
The yoga group had a significantly lower completion rate (65%) compared to memory training (95%)

Abstract

Subjective cognitive decline (SCD) and mild cognitive impairment (MCI) accompanied by cerebrovascular risk factors (CVRFs) are known to increase the risk of developing dementia. Mind-body practices such as yoga and meditation, have been recognized as safe techniques with beneficial effects on cognitive functions in older adults at risk for cognitive decline. We conducted a randomized, controlled trial to assess the efficacy of Kundalini yoga training (KY) compared to memory enhancement training (MET) on mood and cognitive functioning in a group of older women with CVRFs and SCD (clinicaltrials.gov = NCT03503669). The KY intervention consisted of weekly, 60-min in-person classes with a certified instructor for 12 weeks, with a 12-min guided recording for daily homework practice at home. MET involved 12 weekly in-person group classes with 12-min daily homework exercises. Objective and subjective memory performance were the primary outcomes. Peripheral whole blood samples were collected at baseline, 12-weeks, and 24-weeks follow-up for RNA sequencing and cytokine/chemokine assays. A total of 79 patients (KY = 40; MET = 39) were randomized, and 63 completed the 24-week follow-up (KY = 65% completion rate; MET = 95%; χ2(1) = 10.9, p < 0.001). At 24-weeks follow-up, KY yielded a significant, large effect size improvement in subjective cognitive impairment measures compared to MET. KYOn a transcriptional level, at 12- and 24-week follow-up, KY uniquely altered aging-associated signatures, including interferon gamma and other psycho-neuro-immune pathways. Levels of chemokine eotaxin-1, an aging marker, increased over time in MET but not KY participants. These results suggest clinical and biological benefits to KY for SCD, linking changes in cognition to the anti-inflammatory effects of yoga.

Authors

Adrienne Grzenda, Prabha Siddarth, Michaela M Milillo, Yesenia Aguilar-Faustino, Dharma S Khalsa, Helen Lavretsky

Related Protocol

Non-Sleep Deep Rest (NSDR)

Study Details

Health Domain: Neurodegenerative
Journal: Translational psychiatry
Published: February 14, 2024
Authors: 6
Key Findings: 4

Neurodegenerative
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Blueprint Sleep Optimization PubMed DOI
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Morning Sunlight Exposure PubMed DOI
Neurodegenerative
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Morning Sunlight Exposure PubMed DOI

Disclaimer: This research summary is for informational purposes only. Always consult the original study and qualified healthcare professionals before making any health decisions based on research findings.

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