The goal of this observational study is to investigate the cross-sectional relationship between physical activity and brain health from a multiscale approach (neuropsychology, neuroimaging, peripheral biomarkers and genetics) in former athletes and sedentary individuals. The main question it aims to answer is: Do former athletes have better brain structure than sedentary people? Evaluating the differences in neurodegenerative processes between competitive training and sedentary and inactivity.
Age range
40 Years – 75 Years
Sex
ALL
See this in plain English?
AI-rewrites the medical criteria so a patient or caregiver can understand them. Always confirm with the trial site.
Bring these to your next appointment. They're a starting point for a shared conversation — not a sign you qualify or a recommendation to enrol.
Generated to help you prepare — always confirm anything about your own eligibility and care with the study team and your doctor.
The trial coordinator is the person who runs the study day to day. These cover the practical side — logistics, costs, and what taking part would actually mean for your life. The study team confirms whether you meet the criteria; these are questions to ask, not a sign you qualify.
A starting point for the conversation — always confirm anything about your own eligibility, costs, and care with the study team and your doctor.
Concentration of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) in plasma (pg/mL)
Timeframe: Baseline
Concentration of total tau protein in plasma (pg/mL)
Timeframe: Baseline
Hippocampal volume measured by high-resolution 3 T T1-weighted MRI (mm³)
Timeframe: Baseline
Resting-state functional connectivity between primary motor cortex and supplementary motor area measured by 3 T fMRI (Fisher-Z)
Timeframe: Baseline
Digit Span Forward maximum span length (digits)
Timeframe: Baseline
Trail Making Test Part A completion time (seconds)
Timeframe: Baseline
Digit Span Backward maximum span length (digits)
Timeframe: Baseline
Trail Making Test Part B completion time (seconds)
Timeframe: Baseline
Verbal fluency (F-A-S) total words in 60 s (count)
Timeframe: Baseline
Stroop Color-Word interference score (seconds)
Timeframe: Baseline
Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) total score (0 - 30 points)
Timeframe: Baseline
Number of participants carrying at least one APOE ε4 allele (count of participants)
Timeframe: Baseline