Feasibility of Improving Glycemia With Heat Therapy to Prevent AD

Summary

The investigators will determine if heat therapy can improve blood (Aim 1) and brain (Aim 2) glucose metabolism in cognitively healthy older adults (65+) who are at risk for AD. The investigators will also examine the degree to which changes in blood and brain glucose metabolism track together and explore several additional potential mechanisms that are critical to understanding the brain benefits of heat therapy (Aim 3). These aims will provide a comprehensive understanding of the impact of heat therapy on whole body metabolic function and brain health.

Interventions

• Water Immersion Heat Therapy · OTHER

  10-weeks of 3 days per week in 1 of the 2 arms

Published eligibility criteria

Verbatim from the registry. Only the site can decide how these apply to a specific patient.

Inclusion Criteria:

* Age 65 and older
* Stable medication doses (\>1 month)
* Post-menopausal
* Clinical Dementia Rating (CDR) of 0
* History of or current metabolic impairment (i.e. metabolic syndrome, pre-diabetes, Type 2 Diabetes, etc)

Exclusion Criteria:

* Excluded from or unable to complete an MRI scan. MRI compatible pacemakers will require cardiologist clearance prior to enrolling.
* ACSM Risk score stratification of "High" unless cleared by a physician prior to participation.
* Myocardial infarction or symptoms of coronary artery disease in the last 2 years.
* History of or current diagnosis of disorders with the potential to impair cognition (i.e. AD, Parkinson's disease, stroke (defined as clinical episode w/ neuroimaging evidence in appropriate area to explain symptoms)).
* Insulin-dependent (Type 1) Diabetes Mellitus.
* Clinically significant chronic disease such as cancer, HIV, or acquired immunodeficiency syndrome.
* Clinically significant depressive symptoms that may impair cognition, use of psychoactive and investigational medications, and significant visual or auditory impairment.
* Orthopedic complications that would preclude individuals from safely entering a hot tub.
* Untreated hypothyroidism or diseases associated with heat intolerance (i.e. Graves disease, etc).
* Contraindication for temperature pill ingestion (i.e. inflammatory bowel disease, diverticulitis or related).

Sites (1)

• Univeristy of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, Kansas