Page 14 - Abacoa Community News - August '21

Page 14, Abacoa

FAU FeAtUres

Study Shows Aerobic Exercise disease, possibly by supporting brain structures responsible work also was supported in part by the NIA Intramural
Helps Cognitive Function In for memory and learning. Research Program, the FAU Brain Institute, Jupiter Life
Sciences Initiative, and the Florida Department of Health’s
“The positive association between CTSB and cognition,

Older Adults and the substantial modulation of lipid metabolites implicated Ed and Ethel Moore Alzheimer’s Disease Research program.
in dementia, support the beneficial effects of exercise training
By Gisele Galoustian on brain function and brain health in asymptomatic individuals A Land-Based Sponge
Increasing evidence shows that physical activity and at risk for Alzheimer’s disease,” said van Praag. Nursery To Restore Habitats
exercise training may delay or prevent the onset of Alzheimer’s Study co-first authors are Julian M. Gaitan, a researcher and
disease (AD). In aging humans, aerobic exercise training exercise physiologist at the University of Wisconsin-Madison; And Improve Water Quality
increases gray and white matter volume, enhances blood flow, Hyo Youl Moon, Ph.D., a faculty member at the Seoul National
and improves memory function. The ability to measure the University; co-authors Matthew Stremlau, Ph.D., National In Florida Bay
effects of exercise on systemic biomarkers associated with Institute on Aging, National Institutes of Health; and faculty
risk for AD and relating them to key metabolomic alterations members, professors Dena B. Dubal, M.D., University of Andia Chaves Fonnegra, Ph.D., an assistant professor
may further prevention, monitoring, and treatment efforts. California San Francisco; and Dane B. Cook, Ph.D., University of biology in the Harriet L. Wilkes Honors College and
However, systemic biomarkers that can measure exercise of Wisconsin-Madison School of Education. Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institute at Florida Atlantic
effects on brain function and that link to relevant metabolic This work was supported by grants from the Alzheimer’s University, and Shirley Pomponi, Ph.D., a research
responses are lacking. Association (NIRGD-305257), the Extendicare Foundation, professor at FAU Harbor Branch received a grant from U.S.
To address this issue, Henriette van Praag, Ph.D., from and the National Institutes of Health (K23 AG045957,
Florida Atlantic University’s Schmidt College of Medicine R01AG027161, P50 AG033514, and UL1RR025011). This A Land-Based Sponge Nursery on page 16
and Stiles-Nicholson Brain Institute and Ozioma Okonkwo,
Ph.D., Wisconsin Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center and
Madison and their collaborators, tested the hypotheses that Safety and Security Ensures Vibrant
Department of Medicine at the University of Wisconsin-
three specific biomarkers, which are implicated in learning
training and correlate with cognition and metabolomics and Fulfilling Lifestyle at La Posada
and memory, would increase in older adults following exercise

markers of brain health. They examined myokine Cathepsin
B (CTSB), brain derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), At La Posada, a Kisco senior
and klotho, as well as metabolomics, which have become living community in the heart
increasingly utilized to understand biochemical pathways that of Palm Beach Gardens, the
may be affected by AD. community’s five-star lifestyle
Researchers performed a metabolomics analysis in blood is a key element of its focus on
samples of 23 asymptomatic late middle-aged adults, with the overall health and well-being
familial and genetic risk for AD (mean age 65 years old, 50 of residents. Whether it’s dining
percent female) who participated in the “aeRobic Exercise And options or wellness activities,
Cognitive Health (REACH) Pilot Study” (NCT02384993) at the staff goes out of their way
the University of Wisconsin. The participants were divided to make it safe and engaging.
into two groups: usual physical activity (UPA) and enhanced The dedication to service,
physical activity (EPA). The EPA group underwent 26 weeks which has long been a priority
of supervised treadmill training. Blood samples for both groups for the community, is more
were taken at baseline and after 26 weeks. pronounced than ever following
Results of the study, published in the journal Frontiers in the COVID-19 pandemic.
Endocrinology, showed that plasma CTSB levels were increased La Posada offers full-service
following this 26-week structured aerobic exercise training senior living that affords an
in older adults at risk for AD. Verbal learning and memory enriched lifestyle. With a unique
correlated positively with change in CTSB but was not related to the return to normalcy, but one thing that will never
to BDNF or klotho. The present correlation between CTSB and waver is the community’s dedication to its people. The
verbal learning and memory suggests that CTSB may be useful community is committed to maintaining the philosophy
as a marker for cognitive changes relevant to hippocampal behind Kisco Confidence™, a mission centered on
function after exercise in a population at risk for dementia. providing safety and security, health and well-being,
Plasma BDNF levels decreased in conjunction with metabolomic and quality services to foster the most vibrant and
changes, including reductions in ceramides, sphingo- and fulfilling lifestyle for residents.
phospholipids, as well as changes in gut microbiome metabolites “We’ve said before that our residents are our most
and redox homeostasis. Indeed, multiple lipid metabolites valuable assets, and it’s a statement that will continue
relevant to AD were modified by exercise in a manner that to ring true,” said Cadiere. “Residents are the very heart
may be neuroprotective. Serum klotho was unchanged but was of what we do, and we will continue to do all we can
associated with cardiorespiratory fitness. to provide superior service and address their needs.”
“Our findings position CTSB, BDNF, and klotho as The expansive community features 247 luxurious
exercise biomarkers for evaluating the effect of lifestyle independent living apartments, which includes 11
interventions on brain function,” said van Praag, corresponding independent living cottages, in addition to assisted
author, an associate professor of biomedical science, FAU’s living apartments, memory care suites, and private
Schmidt College of Medicine, and a member of the FAU approach and a philosophy centered on giving residents rooms for short-term rehabilitation and skilled nursing.
Brain Institute and the FAU Institute for Human Health & peace of mind, La Posada focuses on providing And as a part of The Art of Living Well® philosophy,
Disease Intervention (I-HEALTH). “Human studies often residents with the highest quality service in all residents have ample opportunities to strengthen their
utilize expensive and low throughput brain imaging analyses areas. As a resort-style community, residents have minds, bodies and spirits at all levels of community life.
that are not practical for large population-wide studies. access to a variety of amenities,
Systemic biomarkers that can measure the effect of exercise including chef-prepared meals,
interventions on Alzheimer’s-related outcomes quickly and at concierge services, state-of-the-
low-cost could be used to inform disease progression and to art wellness programs and so
develop novel therapeutic targets.” much more.
CTSB, a lysosomal enzyme, is secreted from muscle “Out of the pandemic, we
into circulation after exercise and is associated with memory found the most essential thing
function and adult hippocampal neurogenesis. Older adults was for us to find ways to
with cognitive impairment have lower serum and brain CTSB support our residents and bring
levels. BDNF is a protein that is upregulated in the rodent them together. We did that in
hippocampus and cortex by running and is important for adult ways that were not only new
neurogenesis, synaptic plasticity, and memory function. Klotho and innovative, but also allowed
is a circulating protein that can enhance cognition and synaptic them to keep the independence
function and is associated with resilience to neurodegenerative and level of engagement they
were used to, and a major
component of that was safety,”
said Brad Cadiere, executive
director at La Posada.
Captain’s was established in 1980 servicing La Posada continues to adapt
Palm Beach County and is a privately its safety measures in response La Posada Walking Paths
owned and managed company.
Captain’s is committed to providing
dependable, reliable and professional If you’re interested in learning more about the community, join the La Posada team for a complimentary lunch
ground transportation to and from all following our resident panel on July 28. Join us for a taste of life at La Posada and see why we earned three Best
South Florida Airports and Seaports. PBCVH212 of Palm Beach County awards three years in a row. Call (561) 277-0680 to RSVP for the resident panel or
To reserve your vehicle: schedule a tour and experience La Posada for yourself!
561-798-2180 or 800-634-7890 www.captainsairport.com