Clinical Research Directory

Predictive Factors of Response to Phase II Cardiac Rehabilitation in Heart Failure With Reduced Ejection Fraction

Exercise intolerance, measured as peak oxygen consumption (VO₂peak) during exercise in patients with heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF). Change in VO₂peak (ΔVO₂peak), which serves as a prognostic marker for HFrEF engaged in exercise based cardiac rehabilitation program (ExCR). Responders to ExCR generally show improved cardiac function but some patients with HFrEF do not respond to ExCR. VO₂peak depends on three major components of oxygen transport: Pulmonary (lungs), circulatory (heart and vessels) and skeletal muscle (oxygen utilization) functions. These physiological responses to ExCR may be influenced by epigenetic regulation, specifically the expression of circulating microRNAs (c-miRNAs). Linking non-invasive measurements and epigenetic markers could 1) identify which component of the oxygen transport chain is most impaired and 2) allow personalized interventions to maximize VO₂peak improvements. The primary objective of this stidy is to assess the association between changes in VO₂peak during exercise training and circulating microRNA expression (miR-146a, miR-191, miR-23a, miR-140, miR-1, miR-21, miR-133a, miR-17-5p, miR-3200-3p). The secondary objective is to examine the relationship between pulmonary, cardiovascular, and neuromuscular adaptations to exercise and circulating microRNA expression.

CYCLE-AD (CYcling to Cease or Limit the Effects of Alzheimer's Disease)

The overall goal of the CYCLE-AD trial is to determine the role of long-term, high intensity exercise in slowing or delaying the onset of cognitive and AD-related brain changes in e4 carriers. Successful translation and demonstration of the effectiveness of a scalable home-based exercise intervention capable of slowing or delaying disease onset will transform AD treatment, improve patient outcomes and quality of life, and reduce health care costs.