Dementia and Geriatric Cognitive Disorders Extra (Feb 2015)

Effects of Pioglitazone or Exercise in Older Adults with Mild Cognitive Impairment and Insulin Resistance: A Pilot Study

  • Kerry L. Hildreth,
  • Rachael E. Van Pelt,
  • Kerrie L. Moreau,
  • Jim Grigsby,
  • Karin F. Hoth,
  • Victoria Pelak,
  • C. Alan Anderson,
  • Bennett Parnes,
  • John Kittelson,
  • Pamela Wolfe,
  • Tammie Nakamura,
  • Sunny A. Linnebur,
  • Jennifer M. Trujillo,
  • Christina L. Aquilante,
  • Robert S. Schwartz

DOI
https://doi.org/10.1159/000371509
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 5, no. 1
pp. 51 – 63

Abstract

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Aims: To examine the effects of pioglitazone or endurance exercise training on cognitive function in older adults with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and insulin resistance. Methods: Seventy-eight adults (mean age ± SD: 65 ± 7 years) with central obesity and MCI were randomized to 6 months of endurance exercise, pioglitazone or control. Results: Sixty-six participants completed the study. Exercise training did not significantly increase peak oxygen uptake compared to control (p = 0.12). Compared to control, insulin resistance improved in the pioglitazone group (p = 0.002) but not in the exercise group (p = 0.25). There was no measureable effect of pioglitazone or exercise on cognitive performance compared to control. Conclusion: In this pilot study, pioglitazone improved insulin resistance but not cognitive performance in older adults with MCI and insulin resistance.

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