Independent predictors of executive function: Cathepsin B and strength

Despite the developments in medicine and technology, regular engagement in exercise and healthy eating remains one of the most efficacious lifestyle approaches to maintaining healthy function. The benefits of which extend into cognitive function. However, the mechanism through which exercise and eating habits affects cognitive function is poorly understood. This is a significant obstacle in developing effective intervention strategies to optimize cognitive function using lifestyle approaches. The research presented herein sought to explore the relationship between peripheral blood markers, muscular strength, relational memory and, executive function and neuroelectric indices. Adults between the ages 40-64 completed venous blood draws to examine the molecule of interest, Cathepsin B (CTSB), maximal strength testing to assess isokinetic strength using a Biodex dynamometer (Biodex System 3, Shirley, NY), and a Spatial Reconstruction Task to assess relational memory. Attentional inhibition, a component of executive function, was assessed using a modified Flanker task. Neuroelectric function was assess using event-related brain potentials (ERPs). Specifically, the mean amplitude and peak latency of the P3 waveform in a central-parietal region of interest (ROI) was used to index inhibitory resources and processing speed respectively. After adjusting for possibly confounding variables based on an a priori hypothesis, CTSB was found to be a negative predictor of reaction time for the congruent (β = -0.44, P ≤ 0.01) and incongruent (β = -0.45, P ≤ 0.01) conditions. These results indicate individuals with greater levels of CTSB responded faster. Similarly, isokinetic strength was also found to negatively predict reaction time across both congruent (β = -0.83, P ≤ 0.01) and incongruent (β = -0.80, P ≤ 0.01) conditions. Thus, stronger individuals responded faster. Interestingly, results showed CTSB and isokinetic strength to independently predict reaction time across either condition. These findings lend support to the idea that CTSB may influence cognitive function in a manner that is independent of strength.

Name thesis:degree_name

M.S.

Level thesis:degree_level

Thesis

Discipline thesis:degree_discipline

Kinesiology

Grantor

University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

Year dc:date

2022

Author dc:creator

• Kim, Jeongwoon

Contributors dc:contributor

• Khan, Naiman A

• Physical fitness
• Cognition
• Muscular strength
• CTSB

Statement dc:rights

• Copyright 2021 Jeongwoon Kim

Language dc:language

en

Handle dc:identifier

http://hdl.handle.net/2142/113344

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:www.ideals.illinois.edu:2142/113344