Medical Student Research Fellowship for Summer 2009

Mentor: Benjamin D. Levine, M.D.
Department: Internal Medicine
Room number: IEEM (Presbyterian Hospital of Dallas)
Mail Code: 9034
Phone number: 214-345-4619
E-mail: BenjaminLevine@TexasHealth.org
Project I title: Prevention of Cognitive Decline in Alzheimer's disease: A Novel Approach Using the "Living High-training Low" Model of Altitude Training

Human subjects IRB approved project number (where applicable): 082007-011

Animal subjects IRB approved project number (where applicable): NA

Project Type (patient-based research, animal-based research, or basic research; this characterization is only to permit a general classification for grouping similar types of projects)

Patient-based

Brief Description of Project:

The goal of this project is to test a novel intervention designed to prevent cognitive decline in patients with Alzheimer's disease. This strategy involves two central tenets, each of which has a robust basic and clinical science background, but which have never been combined together in patients with Alzheimer's disease (AD): 1) the neuroprotective effect of erythropoietin (EPO); and 2) the salutary clinical effects of exercise training on AD mediated through brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and insulin-like growth factor 1 (IFG-1). In this study endogenous EPO production will be increased in the brain as well as in the plasma by mild intermittent hypoxic exposure (sleeping in a simulated high altitude environment about 8,000 ft., or the altitude of Vail, Colorado). Exercise training will occur at sea level (normoxic environment) to increase BDNF and IGF-1 and to improve cardiovascular fitness and brain perfusion. We believe this award winning "Living High-Training Low" strategy developed in our lab for training athletes and proposed in this project has a great potential to bridge the findings from basic science to clinical research and lead to promising new therapeutic approaches to prevent, slow or even halt the progression of AD.

Project II title: The Effect of Exercise and Alagebrium on the Diastolic Function of the Heart

Human subjects IRB approved project number (where applicable): 032008-012

Animal subjects IRB approved project number (where applicable): NA

Project Type (patient-based research, animal-based research, or basic research; this characterization is only to permit a general classification for grouping similar types of projects):

Patient-based

Brief Description of Project:
This project is a double-blind, placebo-controlled study designed to determine whether a combination of exercise training (via yoga or a variety of aerobic exercises) and the investigational drug Alagebrium can reverse age-related stiffening of the heart in people over the age of 65. Minimal risk baseline testing of cardiac function will include cardiac MRI scanning, blood sampling, and catheter-based assessments, in conjunction with blood pressure, activity, and body composition measurements. The student will assist in these procedures and in the data collection process.

Previous Research Activities or Publications with Medical Students:

Many