University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign

Independent predictors of executive function: Cathepsin B and strength

Kim, Jeongwoon

Content Files
KIM-THESIS-2021.pdf

Permalink

https://hdl.handle.net/2142/113344

Description

Title
Independent predictors of executive function: Cathepsin B and strength
Author(s)
Kim, Jeongwoon
Issue Date
2021-07-21
Director of Research (if dissertation) or Advisor (if thesis)
Khan, Naiman A
Department of Study
Kinesiology & Community Health
Discipline
Kinesiology
Degree Granting Institution
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
Degree Name
M.S.
Degree Level
Thesis
Date of Ingest
2022-01-12T22:56:14Z
Keyword(s)
  • Physical fitness
  • Cognition
  • Muscular strength
  • CTSB
Abstract
Despite the developments in medicine and technology, regular engagement in exercise and healthy eating remains one of the most efficacious lifestyle approaches to maintaining healthy function. The benefits of which extend into cognitive function. However, the mechanism through which exercise and eating habits affects cognitive function is poorly understood. This is a significant obstacle in developing effective intervention strategies to optimize cognitive function using lifestyle approaches. The research presented herein sought to explore the relationship between peripheral blood markers, muscular strength, relational memory and, executive function and neuroelectric indices. Adults between the ages 40-64 completed venous blood draws to examine the molecule of interest, Cathepsin B (CTSB), maximal strength testing to assess isokinetic strength using a Biodex dynamometer (Biodex System 3, Shirley, NY), and a Spatial Reconstruction Task to assess relational memory. Attentional inhibition, a component of executive function, was assessed using a modified Flanker task. Neuroelectric function was assess using event-related brain potentials (ERPs). Specifically, the mean amplitude and peak latency of the P3 waveform in a central-parietal region of interest (ROI) was used to index inhibitory resources and processing speed respectively. After adjusting for possibly confounding variables based on an a priori hypothesis, CTSB was found to be a negative predictor of reaction time for the congruent (β = -0.44, P ≤ 0.01) and incongruent (β = -0.45, P ≤ 0.01) conditions. These results indicate individuals with greater levels of CTSB responded faster. Similarly, isokinetic strength was also found to negatively predict reaction time across both congruent (β = -0.83, P ≤ 0.01) and incongruent (β = -0.80, P ≤ 0.01) conditions. Thus, stronger individuals responded faster. Interestingly, results showed CTSB and isokinetic strength to independently predict reaction time across either condition. These findings lend support to the idea that CTSB may influence cognitive function in a manner that is independent of strength.
Graduation Semester
2021-08
Type of Resource
Thesis
Permalink
http://hdl.handle.net/2142/113344
Copyright and License Information
Copyright 2021 Jeongwoon Kim

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Graduate Dissertations and Theses at Illinois PRIMARY
Graduate Theses and Dissertations at Illinois
Dissertations and Theses - Kinesiology and Community Health