Grant: Summer Program in Aging

Subcortical ischemic vascular cognitive impairment (SIVCI) is the most common form of vascular cognitive impairment. White matter hyperintensities (WMH) secondary to SIVCI often result in impaired executive function (e.g., set-shifting, working memory and selective attention). Cognitive reserve (CR) is a property of the brain that allows for better-than-expected cognitive performance given the degree of life-course-related brain changes and brain injury or disease. A pilot study has found that greater brain resting-state functional connectivity (rs-FC) within two key brain networks, the fronto-executive and the fronto-parietal networks, moderated the negative impact of WMH on executive function in older adults with SIVCI, suggesting that greater brain rs-FC within these networks may act as a protective mechanism. Moreover, emerging evidence suggests that resistance training, as a promising lifestyle intervention, has important benefits for maintaining cardiometabolic health, cognitive function and brain functional connectivity. Thus, the aim is to investigate whether resistance training could enhance rs-FC to moderate the negative effects of WMH on executive function in older adults with SIVCI. The results can provide evidence-based recommendations for the best type of exercise intervention to improve the cognitive function and quality of life of older adults with SIVCI and shed light on the underlying neural basis. My supervisor, Teresa Liu-Ambrose, is leading the organization of the 2024 SPA. As a result, there are 4 spots allocated directly to Dr. Liu-Ambrose/UBC by CIHR. However, these 4 spots for trainees will be distributed among trainees of the planning committee, which consists of 8 UBC faculty members. Many trainees of these 8 faculty members are interested in attending the SPA. Thus, all interested trainees are asked to apply to CIHR.