Aging and Exercise Impacts on Glymphatic FunctionNCT07775196
Aging and Exercise Impacts on Glymphatic Function
A study testing Acute Aerobic exercise in people with Aging and Exercise Impacts on Glymphatic Function, run by University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center.
Trial summary
This is a prospective, interventional, non-blinded, single center research project that will recruit cognitively unimpaired subjects in the 25-55 year old and 55-75 year old range. Read more about this study
- Who is it for?
- Ages 25 to 75 yearsHealthy volunteers can take part
- Conditions the study is for
- Aging and Exercise Impacts on Glymphatic Function
- What is being tested?
- Acute Aerobic exercise
- Type of treatment
- Surgery or procedure
- Could I receive a placebo?
- No, everyone receives an active treatment
- How many people
- 240 participants
- Where
- No sites listed yet
- Study dates
- Dec 2026to Dec 2029
- Phase
- Interventional
- Are there results?
- Not yet: the study is under way
Key requirements
Who can take part, as listed by the sponsor. Only the study team can confirm whether you are eligible, so take this list to your doctor.
- Ages 25 to 75 years
- All sexes
- Healthy volunteers accepted
- Adult, Older adult
Who may be able to join
- age 25-75 years old
- cognitively unimpaired (CU)
- Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) score ≥27 at enrollment screening
- matched gender
- all racial/ethnic groups
Who cannot join
- pregnant women
- history of stroke or other major cerebrovascular disease;
- diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease (AD) or other types of dementia;
- diagnosis of major neurologic and psychiatric disorders (e.g., Parkingson's disease, major depression);
- history of prior head trauma, significant autoimmune disorders,
- sleep apnea;
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- major systemic illness likely to affect the central nervous system, e.g., uncontrolled diabetes, severe cardiovascular disease, cancer, etc.;
- prior or current alcoholism or drug abuse;
- resistant hypertension (SBP ≥140 or DBP ≥ 90 mmHg despite 3 antihypertensive drugs at maximal doses);
- orthostatic hypotension defined as the third standing systolic blood pressure (SBP) < 100mmHg; any contraindications to having a MRI, e.g., claustrophobia, pacemaker or other medical device of metal;
- any conditions judged by the investigators to be medically inappropriate, risky or likely to cause poor study compliance.
Trial locations and contacts
No sites are listed yet. Contact the study team or a site near you to ask about taking part.
About this study
Official title: Impact of Aging and Exercise on Glymphatic Function Using Multi-modal MRI
This is a prospective, interventional, non-blinded, single center research project that will recruit cognitively unimpaired subjects in the 25-55 year old and 55-75 year old range. This study will use acute aerobic exercise as a natural intervention model to increase cardiac activity which may further drive the glymphatic function. There will be no randomization, and all enrolled subjects will participate in the exercise session.
Hypotheses: revealed by the multi-modal magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) approach, glymphatic dysfunction increases with age and is associated with preclinical Alzheimer's Disease (AD) pathology in cognitively unimpaired individuals. Using acute aerobic exercise as a human model, the enhancement of cerebrospinal fluid-interstitial fluid (CSF-ISF) exchange caused by elevated cardiac activity and paravascular cerebrospinal fluid (pCSF) dynamics can be validated.
Read the detailed description
The purpose of this research study is to understand how the human brain removes amyloid beta (Aβ) protein which can lead to Alzheimer's disease (AD), using non-invasive magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) techniques. Participants will first go through screening including health survey and blood draw. Depending on their age, enrolled participants will take neuropsychological assessment, sleep and quality-of-life survey, exercise testing, MRI and positron emission tomography (PET) scans. Depending on individual age, the study may include up to three separate visits, a blood draw, an MRI visits and a PET scan visit. The greatest risks of this study include the possibility of injury during the exercise testing, MRI and PET scans, and loss of confidentiality.
- Being tested
- Acute Aerobic exercise
- Keywords
- Aging, Exercise, Glymphatic Function, Alzheimer's Disease
- Medical subject headings
- Motor Activity, Alzheimer Disease
What participants receive
What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.
Acute Aerobic exerciseProcedure or surgery
During the MRI session, subject will perform aerobic exercise on a MR-compatible ergometer and will be guided to reach certain heart rate level depending on subject's age. Their vital signs will be closely monitored by the research team to ensure safety.
| Study group | Role | What they receive |
|---|---|---|
| Acute aerobic exercise- Interventional Group | Experimental | This group will include all enrolled participants from all age groups, will receive MRI scans for glymphatic function and participate in acute aerobic exercise (intervention) between MRI sessions. They may / may not undergo PET scans. Receives: Procedure: Acute Aerobic exercise |
What is being measured
The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.
Exercise-induced changes in heart rate (HR)
During exercise, HR will be continuously monitored using photoplethysmography (ppg) by a device attached to a finger of the subjects.
Measured: Baseline (pre-exercise), immediately post-exercise
Exercise-induced changes in cardiac output (CO)
During exercise, CO will be calculated based on HR and real time blood pressure (BP) acquired on the index finger using an MRI-compatible device.
Measured: Baseline (pre-exercise), immediately post-exercise
Exercise-induced changes in MRI measurements of pCSF dynamics
pCSF will be assessed using MRI in the brain.
Measured: Baseline (pre-exercise), immediately post-exercise
Exercise-induced changes in MRI measurements of CSF-ISF exchange
CSF-ISF exchange will be assessed using MRI in the brain.
Measured: Baseline (pre-exercise), immediately post-exercise
Timeline
From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.
- First posted20 Aug 2026
- Study startDec 2026 (estimated)
- Primary completionDec 2029 (estimated)
- Study completionDec 2029 (estimated)
Resources
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govThe registry entry this page is built from, with its full change history.
- Other trials for Aging and Exercise Impacts on Glymphatic FunctionStudies of the same condition, open and under way.
- What the trial phases meanHow a treatment moves from first tests in people to approval.
More details
For doctors and researchers: how the study is designed, who runs it, and its registry IDs.
Study design
- Study type
- Interventional
- Phase
- Phase N/A
- Primary purpose
- Basic science
- Allocation
- Not applicable
- Intervention model
- Single group
- Masking
- None (open label)
- Enrolment
- 240 participants (estimated)
Sponsor and investigators
- Lead sponsor
- University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center
- Sponsor type
- University, hospital or other
- Collaborators
- National Institute on Aging (NIA)
- Responsible party
- Principal investigator, Jiaen Liu, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center
- Investigators
- Jiaen Liu, Ph.D., Principal investigator, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center
IDs, dates and publications
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07775196
- Sponsor's protocol ID
- STU20260916
- Other IDs
- R01AG102596
- Status last verified
- Oct 2026
- First submitted
- 12 Aug 2026
- Last updated
- 5 Oct 2026
- Results posted
- No
- Data monitoring committee
- No
- FDA-regulated drug
- No
- FDA-regulated device
- No
- Individual data sharing
- Yes: Individual participant data that underlie the results reported in publication, after deidentification (text, tables, figures, and appendices).
Study at a glance
From the registry record, last updated by the sponsor on 5 Oct 2026. Recruitment status is as the sponsor reported it: confirm with the study team.
- Official title
- Impact of Aging and Exercise on Glymphatic Function Using Multi-modal MRI
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07775196
- Acronym / sponsor ID
- STU20260916
- Keywords
- Aging, Exercise, Glymphatic Function, Alzheimer's Disease
- Study type
- Interventional
- Recruitment status
- Not yet recruiting
- Enrolment
- 240 participants (estimated)
- Lead sponsor
- University of Texas Southwestern Medical CenterUniversity, hospital or other
- Collaborators
- National Institute on Aging (NIA)
- Study start
- Dec 2026 (estimated)
- Primary completion
- Dec 2029 (estimated)
- Study completion
- Dec 2029 (estimated)
- First posted
- 20 Aug 2026 (actual)
- Results
- Not posted in the source record
Clinical summary
The research question as the sponsor registered it. This describes what the study plans to test, not what it found.
This is a prospective, interventional, non-blinded, single center research project that will recruit cognitively unimpaired subjects in the 25-55 year old and 55-75 year old range. This study will use acute aerobic exercise as a natural intervention model to increase cardiac activity which may further drive the glymphatic function. There will be no randomization, and all enrolled subjects will participate in the exercise session.
Hypotheses: revealed by the multi-modal magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) approach, glymphatic dysfunction increases with age and is associated with preclinical Alzheimer's Disease (AD) pathology in cognitively unimpaired individuals. Using acute aerobic exercise as a human model, the enhancement of cerebrospinal fluid-interstitial fluid (CSF-ISF) exchange caused by elevated cardiac activity and paravascular cerebrospinal fluid (pCSF) dynamics can be validated.
Detailed description
The purpose of this research study is to understand how the human brain removes amyloid beta (Aβ) protein which can lead to Alzheimer's disease (AD), using non-invasive magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) techniques. Participants will first go through screening including health survey and blood draw. Depending on their age, enrolled participants will take neuropsychological assessment, sleep and quality-of-life survey, exercise testing, MRI and positron emission tomography (PET) scans. Depending on individual age, the study may include up to three separate visits, a blood draw, an MRI visits and a PET scan visit. The greatest risks of this study include the possibility of injury during the exercise testing, MRI and PET scans, and loss of confidentiality.
Study design
- Primary purpose
- Basic science
- Allocation
- Not applicable
- Intervention model
- Single group
- Masking
- None (open label)
- Number of arms
- 1
| Arm | Type | Receives |
|---|---|---|
| Acute aerobic exercise- Interventional Group | Experimental | Procedure: Acute Aerobic exerciseThis group will include all enrolled participants from all age groups, will receive MRI scans for glymphatic function and participate in acute aerobic exercise (intervention) between MRI sessions. They may / may not undergo PET scans. |
Who may qualify
- Ages
- 25 to 75 years
- Sex
- All
- Healthy volunteers
- Accepted
- Age groups
- Adult, Older adult
Key inclusion criteria (5 listed)
- age 25-75 years old
- cognitively unimpaired (CU)
- Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) score ≥27 at enrollment screening
- matched gender
- all racial/ethnic groups
Key exclusion criteria (11 listed)
- pregnant women
- history of stroke or other major cerebrovascular disease;
- diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease (AD) or other types of dementia;
- diagnosis of major neurologic and psychiatric disorders (e.g., Parkingson's disease, major depression);
- history of prior head trauma, significant autoimmune disorders,
Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening; this overview does not establish that a patient qualifies. Full inclusion and exclusion criteria.
Interventions
| Intervention | Type | Arms |
|---|---|---|
| Acute Aerobic exerciseDuring the MRI session, subject will perform aerobic exercise on a MR-compatible ergometer and will be guided to reach certain heart rate level depending on subject's age. Their vital signs will be closely monitored by the research team to ensure safety. | Procedure or surgery | Acute aerobic exercise- Interventional Group |
Primary outcome
Exercise-induced changes in heart rate (HR)
Time frame: Baseline (pre-exercise), immediately post-exercise
During exercise, HR will be continuously monitored using photoplethysmography (ppg) by a device attached to a finger of the subjects.
Exercise-induced changes in cardiac output (CO)
Time frame: Baseline (pre-exercise), immediately post-exercise
During exercise, CO will be calculated based on HR and real time blood pressure (BP) acquired on the index finger using an MRI-compatible device.
Exercise-induced changes in MRI measurements of pCSF dynamics
Time frame: Baseline (pre-exercise), immediately post-exercise
pCSF will be assessed using MRI in the brain.
Exercise-induced changes in MRI measurements of CSF-ISF exchange
Time frame: Baseline (pre-exercise), immediately post-exercise
CSF-ISF exchange will be assessed using MRI in the brain.
Results and safety
This study is still under way. Results are not available in the source record yet.
Research links
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govLast updated by the sponsor 5 Oct 2026.
- Individual participant dataSharing planned: Yes. Individual participant data that underlie the results reported in publication, after deidentification (text, tables, figures, and appendices).
Referral and contact
AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals. Contact the study team or a site listed below; they decide who can take part.
Jiaen Liu, Ph.D. principal investigator
University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center
Questions about this trial
What is this clinical trial studying?
A study testing Acute Aerobic exercise in people with Aging and Exercise Impacts on Glymphatic Function, run by University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center.
The full registered description is in the About this study section and the official record.
Who may be eligible to take part?
The sponsor lists 5 inclusion and 11 exclusion criteria. Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening, so read the full criteria and contact a listed site.
Is this clinical trial currently recruiting?
The record says: opening soon, as of the sponsor's last update on 5 Oct 2026. Status can change between updates, so confirm with the study contact before making plans.
What are the possible benefits and risks?
They depend on the study and the treatment, and no study can promise a benefit. The study team explains the known risks during informed consent, before anyone joins; the record itself does not list them.
Are results available for this study?
This study is still under way. Results are not available in the source record yet.
How can a doctor refer a patient or contact the research team?
Contact Jiaen Liu, Ph.D. (612/423-8380, Jiaen.Liu@UTSouthwestern.edu), or a site near the patient. AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals.
What does the primary outcome measure?
Exercise-induced changes in heart rate (HR) (time frame: Baseline (pre-exercise), immediately post-exercise). The study lists 4 primary outcomes in all. It is what the study was designed to measure, not a finding.
Where can I read the original study information?
Does a listing mean the treatment is approved or proven to work?
No. A listing means the study is registered. It does not show that the treatment is safe, works, or is approved by a regulator.
How often is this information updated?
AzTrials copies changed records from ClinicalTrials.gov every night and reloads the whole registry every week. The sponsor last updated this record on 5 Oct 2026.