Neuromorphometric associations with mood, cognition, and self-reported exercise levels in epilepsy and healthy individuals

Ayushe A. Sharma; D. Mackensie Terry; Johanna L. Popp; Jerzy P. Szaflarski; Roy C. Martin; Rodolphe Nenert; Manmeet Kaur; Gabrielle A. Brokamp; Mark Bolding; Jane B. Allendorfer

Epilepsy & Behavior Reports (Jan 2024)

Neuromorphometric associations with mood, cognition, and self-reported exercise levels in epilepsy and healthy individuals

Ayushe A. Sharma,
D. Mackensie Terry,
Johanna L. Popp,
Jerzy P. Szaflarski,
Roy C. Martin,
Rodolphe Nenert,
Manmeet Kaur,
Gabrielle A. Brokamp,
Mark Bolding,
Jane B. Allendorfer

Affiliations

Ayushe A. Sharma: University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB), Department of Neurology, Birmingham, AL, USA; Corresponding authors at: UAB Epilepsy Center, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Department of Neurology, 1719 6th Avenue South, CIRC 312, Birmingham, AL 35249-0021, USA.
D. Mackensie Terry: University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB), Department of Neurology, Birmingham, AL, USA
Johanna L. Popp: University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB), Department of Neurology, Birmingham, AL, USA
Jerzy P. Szaflarski: University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB), Department of Neurology, Birmingham, AL, USA; University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB), Department of Neurobiology, Birmingham, AL, USA; University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB), Department of Neurosurgery, Birmingham, AL, USA; University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB), UAB Epilepsy Center, Birmingham, AL, USA
Roy C. Martin: University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB), Department of Neurology, Birmingham, AL, USA; University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB), UAB Epilepsy Center, Birmingham, AL, USA
Rodolphe Nenert: University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB), Department of Neurology, Birmingham, AL, USA
Manmeet Kaur: University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB), Department of Neurology, Birmingham, AL, USA; University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB), UAB Epilepsy Center, Birmingham, AL, USA
Gabrielle A. Brokamp: University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB), Department of Neurology, Birmingham, AL, USA
Mark Bolding: University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB), Department of Radiology, Birmingham, AL, USA
Jane B. Allendorfer: University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB), Department of Neurology, Birmingham, AL, USA; University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB), Department of Neurobiology, Birmingham, AL, USA; University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB), UAB Epilepsy Center, Birmingham, AL, USA; University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB), UAB Center for Exercise Medicine, Birmingham, AL, USA; Corresponding authors at: UAB Epilepsy Center, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Department of Neurology, 1719 6th Avenue South, CIRC 312, Birmingham, AL 35249-0021, USA.

Journal volume & issue: Vol. 25
p. 100643

Abstract

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Regular physical activity may promote beneficial neuroplasticity, e.g., increased hippocampus volume. However, it is unclear whether self-reported physical exercise in leisure (PEL) levels are associated with the brain structure features demonstrated by exercise interventions. This pilot study investigated the relationship between PEL, mood, cognition, and neuromorphometry in patients with idiopathic generalized epilepsy (IGEs) compared to healthy controls (HCs). Seventeen IGEs and 19 age- and sex-matched HCs underwent magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) at 3T. The Baecke Questionnaire of Habitual Physical Activity, Profile of Mood States, and Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) assessed PEL, mood, and cognition, respectively. Structural MRI data were analyzed by voxel- and surface-based morphometry. IGEs had significantly lower PEL (p < 0.001), poorer mood (p = 0.029), and lower MoCA scores (p = 0.027) than HCs. These group differences were associated with reduced volume, decreased gyrification, and altered surface topology (IGEs < HCs) in frontal, temporal and cerebellar regions involved in executive function, memory retrieval, and emotional regulation, respectively.These preliminary results support the notion that increased PEL may promote neuroplasticity in IGEs, thus emphasizing the role of physical activity in promoting brain health in people with epilepsy.

Published in Epilepsy & Behavior Reports

ISSN: 2589-9864 (Online)
Publisher: Elsevier
Country of publisher: United States
LCC subjects: Medicine: Internal medicine: Neurosciences. Biological psychiatry. Neuropsychiatry: Neurology. Diseases of the nervous system; Science: Physiology: Neurophysiology and neuropsychology
Website: https://www.journals.elsevier.com/epilepsy-and-behavior-reports

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