Brain Health and Exercise in Schizophrenia (PEHP)

Primary Outcome Measures:

• Increase hippocampal volume with aerobic training in schizophrenic and healthy volunteers. [ Time Frame: Base-line, 8 and 12 weeks ]
  Hippocampal volumes will be measured from structural MRI scans. T1-weighted 3D SPGR (spoiled gradient recalled) and high-resilution T2- weighted structural images will be obtained for the purposes of volumetric assessment of the hippocampi and the whole brain
  
  

Secondary Outcome Measures:

• Increases in hippocampal volumes will be positively associated with improvements in working memory performance in schizophrenia. [ Time Frame: Baseline, Week 4, 8 and 12. ]
  The Hopkins Verbal Learning Test (HVLT), will be used to assess memory function. Multiple versions of the HVLT exist (12) so practice effects will be minimized. The Rey-Osterrieth Complex Figure Test (ROCF), in which subjects are asked to reproduce a complex line drawing from memory, will be used to assess attention and working memory.
  
  

This is a 12-week, randomized trial with two parallel groups. Throughout the trial, subjects will be treated on their prescribed dose of medication. Once informed consent is obtained, subjects and healthy volunteers will be randomly assigned to either an aerobic or a resistance exercise program (N = 24 per diagnostic group in each of two exercise conditions). Patients will continue to receive their antipsychotics and other prescribed medications. Healthy volunteer data will be used to establish normal exercise-induced neuroplasticity in a non-psychiatric, non-medicated population. All training will be conducted at the Riverview Hospital fitness facilities and at dedicated exercise training facilities at the University of British Columbia. All exercise sessions will be monitored by trained research assistants (RAs) under the guidance of the Canadian Society for Exercise Physiology-Certified Exercise Physiologists (CSEP-CEPs). The RAs will receive pre-study exercise training from the CSEP-CEPs. During the course of the study, the training intensity will be changed according to the individual participant's response and needs via the CSEP-CEPs and RAs.