Effects of Exercise and Neuromuscular Stimulation on Neuroplasticity and Inflammation in Those With and Without Apoe Variation
Faculty Mentor
Nicholas Siekirk
Location
Russell Union Ballroom
Type of Research
Proposed
Session Format
Poster Presentation
College
Waters College of Health Professions
Department
Health Sciences and Kinesiology
Abstract
BACKGROUND: More than 130,000 Georgians are estimated to have Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias (ADRD). Exercise is thought to mitigate the development of ADRD’s pathological features via the release of myokines that stimulate neuroprotective mechanisms, enhance perfusion, and modulate high-sensitivity C-Reactive Protein (hs-CRP) and homocysteine (Hcy). Multi-waveform neuromuscular electrical stimulation (MWF-NMES) can separately upregulate serum brain-derived neurotrophic factor (sBDNF) countering the impediment of inter-neuronal communication imposed by tau proteins and amyloid plaques. Combining exercise with NMES may, therefore, elicit clinically meaningful improvements in cognitive processes, reducing risk of ADRD. The purpose of this study is to investigate the effects of a combined exercise and MWF-NMES intervention on markers of sBDNF and hs-CRP/Hcy. Secondarily, do these mechanistic outcomes correlate with cognitive assessment scoring? METHODS: Participants will be recruited from an assisted living community in Southeast Georgia. Interested participants meeting the inclusion criterion will be stratified by sex and by presence of APOE variant ε1-4 status and randomly assigned to either the [1] Active MWF-NMES, or [2] Active + Passive MWF-NMES intervention group. Capillary hs-CRP and homocysteine, obtained by finger prick (RxHomeTest, Portland, OR), and fasted sBDNF, via an arterial blood draw (ELISA Spectrophotometer, Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc., Waltham, MA), will be obtained at a standardized time before and after the 10-week intervention. Separate 2 x 2 linear mixed models will examine sBDNF, hs-CRP, and Hcy for interaction between time and group while controlling for baseline, α = 0.05. Separate Pearson correlations will determine whether sBDNF, hs-CRP, and Hcy are associated with the Montreal Cognitive Assessment Total Score (MoCATS) at pre-, and post-assessment. ANTICIPATED RESULTS: We anticipate elevated sBDNF because of intervention in both groups, with passive MWF-NMES showing reduced hs-CRP and Hcy at post-intervention. We hypothesize low-moderate correlations between markers and MoCATS. Funding Acknowledgment: Rockin’ Out Alzheimer’s Disease Foundation Grant (ID#3915)
Program Description
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Start Date
4-23-2026 2:00 PM
End Date
4-23-2026 4:00 PM
Recommended Citation
Grace, Collis E. IV; Gragg, Morgan A.; Tanner, Kaitlyn; and Siekirk, Nicholas J., "Effects of Exercise and Neuromuscular Stimulation on Neuroplasticity and Inflammation in Those With and Without Apoe Variation" (2026). GS4 Student Scholars Symposium. 164.
https://digitalcommons.georgiasouthern.edu/research_symposium/2026/2026/164
Effects of Exercise and Neuromuscular Stimulation on Neuroplasticity and Inflammation in Those With and Without Apoe Variation
Russell Union Ballroom
BACKGROUND: More than 130,000 Georgians are estimated to have Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias (ADRD). Exercise is thought to mitigate the development of ADRD’s pathological features via the release of myokines that stimulate neuroprotective mechanisms, enhance perfusion, and modulate high-sensitivity C-Reactive Protein (hs-CRP) and homocysteine (Hcy). Multi-waveform neuromuscular electrical stimulation (MWF-NMES) can separately upregulate serum brain-derived neurotrophic factor (sBDNF) countering the impediment of inter-neuronal communication imposed by tau proteins and amyloid plaques. Combining exercise with NMES may, therefore, elicit clinically meaningful improvements in cognitive processes, reducing risk of ADRD. The purpose of this study is to investigate the effects of a combined exercise and MWF-NMES intervention on markers of sBDNF and hs-CRP/Hcy. Secondarily, do these mechanistic outcomes correlate with cognitive assessment scoring? METHODS: Participants will be recruited from an assisted living community in Southeast Georgia. Interested participants meeting the inclusion criterion will be stratified by sex and by presence of APOE variant ε1-4 status and randomly assigned to either the [1] Active MWF-NMES, or [2] Active + Passive MWF-NMES intervention group. Capillary hs-CRP and homocysteine, obtained by finger prick (RxHomeTest, Portland, OR), and fasted sBDNF, via an arterial blood draw (ELISA Spectrophotometer, Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc., Waltham, MA), will be obtained at a standardized time before and after the 10-week intervention. Separate 2 x 2 linear mixed models will examine sBDNF, hs-CRP, and Hcy for interaction between time and group while controlling for baseline, α = 0.05. Separate Pearson correlations will determine whether sBDNF, hs-CRP, and Hcy are associated with the Montreal Cognitive Assessment Total Score (MoCATS) at pre-, and post-assessment. ANTICIPATED RESULTS: We anticipate elevated sBDNF because of intervention in both groups, with passive MWF-NMES showing reduced hs-CRP and Hcy at post-intervention. We hypothesize low-moderate correlations between markers and MoCATS. Funding Acknowledgment: Rockin’ Out Alzheimer’s Disease Foundation Grant (ID#3915)
