Exercise and Motor Learning in Huntington's Disease

Regular physical exercise has many benefits for the brain, which is important for people with Huntington’s disease, as it may help to delay or improve symptoms of the disease.

How am I investigating exercise in Huntington’s disease?

I am investigating how different exercise intensities (moderate, high, rest) affect brain activity in people with Huntington’s disease, using transcranial magnetic stimulation — a safe and painless way to measure brain activity.

What will we learn from this research?

Understanding the effects of different exercise intensities on the brain will help us develop guidelines for the best exercise intensity to help delay symptoms of Huntington’s disease.

Who is eligible?

• Men and women, 18 - 70 years old.
• People with a diagnosis of Huntington’s disease, who are either pre-symptomatic, or have mild symptoms.
• No history of neurological injury (e.g. traumatic brain injury, stroke).
• Able to complete 20-minutes of moderate and high intensity exercise on a stationary bike.

What will you need to do?

• Take part in two testing sessions one week apart at Monash University Clayton campus.
• Complete questionnaires about your physical activity, mood, and general health.
• First Session:
  • Complete either 20 minutes of exercise on a stationary bike, or 20 minutes of rest.
  • Learn a motor task with thumb and index of your dominant hand for about 30 minutes.
• Second Session (one week later):
  Perform the motor task again for about 20 minutes.

Where will you need to go?

Monash University Clayton Campus. We will provide you with $100 ($50 per session) to cover your time and travel expenses.

Ethics Approval: Monash University Research Ethics Committee (MUHREC) CF16/140 - 2016000061.