Constantopoulos, Sofia (2025) The Preventive Effect of High-Intensity Interval Training in a Mouse Model of Essential Tremor. Masters thesis, Concordia University.
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Abstract
Essential tremor (ET) is the most prevalent movement disorder characterized by involuntary, rhythmic shaking. The effects of exercise have not been widely studied for their potential benefits in ET while this has been growing for other neurodegenerative disorders. We studied a mouse model of ET, which shows tremor after receiving the drug harmaline. The objective of this study was to examine the effects of High-Intensity Interval Training (HIIT) and Resistance Training (RT) on tremor characteristics (power within certain frequencies) in the harmaline mouse model of ET. We employed a repeated measures design with three groups: a HIIT group, an RT group, and a sedentary (SED) control group. Each group received a harmaline injection before and after their respective exercise regimens. Tremor power within two frequency bands (8-14 & 14-29 Hz) was assessed using accelerometry through a smartphone application to measure kinetics, complemented with video analysis for kinematics. We found a statistically significant decrease in the 8-14 Hz band, and increase in the 14-29 Hz band, in the HIIT group compared to pre-protocol measurements, which we did not find in the other groups. We found a change in the BDNF growth factor between groups, potentially mediating an exercise effect on the brain. These results indicate that HIIT shifts tremor predominance in this ET animal model, potentially through mechanisms involving neuroplasticity in tremor networks. The findings support physical exercise as a potential therapeutic/preventive intervention of essential tremor, with translational implications for human studies.
| Divisions: | Concordia University > Faculty of Arts and Science > Health, Kinesiology and Applied Physiology |
|---|---|
| Item Type: | Thesis (Masters) |
| Authors: | Constantopoulos, Sofia |
| Institution: | Concordia University |
| Degree Name: | M. Sc. |
| Program: | Exercise Science |
| Date: | March 2025 |
| Thesis Supervisor(s): | Courtemanche, Richard |
| Keywords: | essential tremor HIIT Tremor Frequency Prevention |
| ID Code: | 995630 |
| Deposited By: | Sofia Constantopoulos |
| Deposited On: | 04 Nov 2025 16:20 |
| Last Modified: | 04 Nov 2025 16:20 |
References:
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