Gene–exercise interaction on brain health in children with overweight/obesity: the ActiveBrains randomized controlled trial

• DOI: 10.1152/japplphysiol.00435.2023
• Publication Date: 2023-08-17T08:00:46Z
• Authors: Abel Plaza-Florido; Irene Esteban-Cor...; Jose Mora-Gonzalez; Lucia V. Torres-L...; Francisco J. Osun...; Jose J. Gil-Cosano; Shlomit Radom-Aizik; Idoia Labayen; Jonatan R. Ruiz; Signe Altmäe; Francisco B. Ortega
• Keywords: rs6265; rs4680; Cognitive flexibility

We investigated the interaction between a genetic score and an exercise intervention on brain health in children with overweight/obesity. One hundred one overweight/obesity (10.0 ± 1.5 yr, 59% girls) were randomized into 20-wk combined or control group. Several cognitive academic outcomes measured validated tests. Hippocampal volume was quantified using magnetic resonance imaging. Six health-related polymorphisms [rs6265 (BDNF), rs2253206 (CREB1), rs2289656 (NTRK2), rs4680 (COMT), rs429358, rs7412 (APOE)] genotyped. Cognitive flexibility skills improved significantly more than group only "favorable" profile [mean z-score, 0.41-0.67 (95% CI 0.11 to 1.18)], yet not those "less favorable" profile. An individual response analysis showed that responded "genetically [i.e., 62% of them had meaningful (≥0.2 Cohen d) increase compared 25% group]. This finding consistent per-protocol intention-to-treat analyses (P = 0.01 P 0.03, respectively). The results significant for rest studied. Our findings suggest having favorable makes responsive exercise, particularly flexibility.NEW & NOTEWORTHY Interindividual differences have been reported interventions adults, which could be partially explained by background differences. However, role remains unexplored pediatric population. current study composed six (BDNF, CREB1, NTRK2, COMT, APOE) regulated exercise-induced several outcomes, mainly consistently flexibility.