Effects of Exercise on Neurobiology, Social Cognition, and Systemic Inflammation in Autism

University Of Colorado Denver, Aurora CO

Investigators

Abstract

PROJECT SUMMARY/ABSTRACT Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) has increased in prevalence considerably over the past several years and is marked by social cognitive challenges, such as perspective taking. Such challenges can have significant influence on one’s quality of life, with adolescence representing a particularly difficult phase due to the increase in social demands that occur during this developmental period. ASD is associated with aberrant activity in brain regions involved in the default mode network (DMN) as well as low-level systemic inflammation (i.e., increased proinflammatory cytokine levels), both of which may contribute to the impaired social cognition observed in this population. Exercise (EX) interventions have been shown to alter DMN function and reduce inflammation in non-autistic samples, and preliminary studies suggest EX may enhance social functioning in autistic individuals. Therefore, EX may be a promising, low-cost intervention approach for supporting social cognition in autistic adolescents, and the proposed project is designed to test this hypothesis. Specifically, we aim to determine if a 10-week EX intervention, relative to a social gaming control condition, can 1) enhance brain response in DMN regions during a theory-of-mind (ToM) task; 2) improve social-cognitive functioning; and 3) reduce levels of circulating proinflammatory cytokines in autistic adolescents. The project will deepen current understanding of the neurobiological and immune mechanisms underlying EX interventions for autistic adolescents, which is a population with high risk for sedentary behavior and few accessible, empirically supported treatment options. Using functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) and systemic inflammation as biomarkers adds an innovative dimension to the project and may allow for more sensitive measures of intervention-related changes than traditional behavioral markers. Data for the project will be derived from an ongoing parent study led by Dr. Legget (Sponsor), who will primarily oversee Dr. Cosgrove’s (PI) research and training during the fellowship period. Co-Sponsor Dr. Tregellas and a strong team of consultants will provide additional, complementary expertise to Dr. Cosgrove’s training in the areas of neuroimaging, intervention research, neurodevelopmental disorders, and immunology. Dr. Cosgrove has access to state-of-the-art equipment and resources at the University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus that will allow her to complete the proposed research and training. Altogether, the research and training goals planned for the two- year fellowship period will support Dr. Cosgrove in developing as an independent researcher with expertise in the application of clinical neuroscience methods to inform development of novel intervention approaches for youth with ASD and related neurodevelopmental disorders, such as intellectual disability.