Brain and Balance Study Across Adulthood

This study is looking at how brain blood flow and brain activity are connected to balance as people age. Researchers want to understand this relationship better by studying 102 healthy adults across different age groups: young (21-30), middle-aged (40-55), and older (65-95). You would be considered if you are neurotypical (meaning your brain development and function are typical) and cognitively normal (meaning you have no significant memory or thinking problems). The study will involve a single session of aerobic exercise to see how your brain's blood flow changes. They will also measure your balance after a small push and look at brain activity using EEG (electroencephalography) to understand how different brain areas work together.

Study design
This is a single-arm study, meaning all participants receive the same intervention, and it involves 102 participants. It is not blinded, so both you and the researchers will know about the exercise intervention.
What's involved
You would participate in two visits. During these visits, you would engage in a single session of aerobic exercise on a recumbent stepper machine.
Compensation
Not stated in the trial record.
Follow-up
Measurements for the main outcomes are taken at 1 week.

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NCT06127667

Brain Vascular and Neural Function Linked to Balance Across the Adult Lifespan

Recruiting
NAAges 21–95InterventionalBasic science
University of Minnesota
~102 participants
Updated 2026-03-27 on ClinicalTrials.gov
What's tested:aerobic exercise

At a glance

Recruiting sites
1 of 1 listed site is recruiting right now
RecruitingSuspended, closed, or not yet open
What they're measuring
cerebral blood flow velocity assessed using transcranial Doppler ultrasound
Measured over 1 week
+2 more outcomes measured
Neurotypical
Cognitively Normal
1 sites across 1 states
Minnesota1
  • Jacqueline Palmer · PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR · University of Minnesota

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Eligibility criteria

Inclusion

Age within the following 3 group age ranges, 21-30yo; middle-aged: 40-55yo; older: 65-95yo adults
the absence of major orthopedic disability
cognitively normal (MoCA score ≥ 26/30 in older adult group)
vision that is 20/40 or better with or without corrective lenses, (5) the ability to consent and communicate with researchers
English speaking
ability to stand for 3 minutes and walk 10 meters with or without an assistive device and without the assistance of another person.

Exclusion

insulin-dependent diabetes
peripheral neuropathy
myocardial infarction or symptoms of coronary artery disease within 2 years
congestive heart failure or class IV heart failure
any significant sensory impairment affecting balance or cognition; visual, vestibular, or auditory impairments.
  • cerebral blood flow velocity assessed using transcranial Doppler ultrasound1 week

    Includes recordings from transcranial Doppler ultrasound of cerebral blood flow (CBF) velocity performed at the first session during rest, sit-to-stand, transfer, and single bout of aerobic exercise.

  • Kinetic center of pressure rate of rise post-balance perturbation, assessed biomechanically.1 week

    Recordings from 64-channels of EEG electrodes, kinetic, and kinematic biomechanical data during standing balance reactions will be collected.

  • Prefrontal-M1 coherence an S1-M1 coherence post-balance perturbation, assessed using EEG1 week

    Recordings from 64-channels of EEG electrodes, kinetic, and kinematic biomechanical data during standing balance reactions will be collected.