Affective Mechanisms of the Decline in Physical Activity in Preclinical AD

Despite multiple bene?ts of sustained exercise and physical activity for individuals at risk of developing Alzheimer disease (AD), there often is a decline in physical activity engagement with accumulation of AD pathology, even in the preclinical stage. This physical activity disengagement may increase risk of cognitive and functional decline. Research has yet to consider affective mechanisms of this health behavior change in preclinical AD. The proposed project will examine how changes in behavioral and neurobiological affective processes, previously linked to tau pathology, contribute to physical activity using data from the NIA-supported WUSTL Adult Children Study. Speci?cally, we will investigate how changes in mood (Aim 1), affective response to exercise (Aim 2), and functional connectivity of the affective network (Aim 3) due to AD pathology impact physical activity behavior. Enhanced understanding of these factors will provide an avenue to promote sustained physical activity.