Biomarkers for Exercise

Recruiting now · Not applicable

Conditions studied: Anxiety Disorders

In brief

The overarching objective is to examine the brain-based biological mechanistic pathway by which exercise exerts anxiolytic effects. The investigators will measure brain-derived markers of mitochondrial metabolism (acetyl-L-carnitine \[LAC\]) and inflammation (interleukin-6 \[IL-6\]) using innovative technology to isolate neuronal exosomes.

Key facts

Study ID

NCT07340281

Run by

NYU Langone Health

People needed

30

Starts

2026-03-06

Expected to finish

2028-01-15

Last updated by the study team

2026-03-31

Who can join

Age: 18 and older, up to 50. Sex: any. Healthy volunteers: accepted.

You may qualify if…

• For both participant groups: To be eligible to participate in this study, an individual must meet all of the following criteria:
• Between 18-50 years of age
• Currently sedentary (≤60 minutes of moderate intensity exercise per week for the past 3 months)
• Capable and willing to provide informed consent
• For anxiety disorder participant group, an individual must also meet:
• Primary psychiatric diagnosis of generalized anxiety disorder (GAD), social anxiety disorder, or panic disorder

You may not qualify if…

• Lifetime history of Bipolar I or II or any psychotic disorder
• Bulimia or anorexia in the past 3 months
• Alcohol or substance use disorder in the past 3 months
• Current major depressive disorder (past is allowed)
• Current neurologic disorder
• High current suicide risk (active suicidal ideation with plan and intent) as indicated by a score of ≥4 on the Columbia Suicide Severity Rating Scale (C-SSRS) consistent with a need for referral to higher level of care
• Participation in concurrent evidence-based therapy (e.g., cognitive behavioral therapy) targeting anxiety and/or depression (supportive therapy and couples therapy are allowed)
• Risk for exercise according to the Physical Activity Readiness Questionnaire with excluded active medical conditions including heart conditions, lung disease, bone/joint problems, or seizures
• Women who are currently pregnant or plan to become pregnant during the duration of the study
• current psychiatric medication
• Current substance abuse or positive urine toxicology screen (recreational use of marijuana is permitted based on clinical assessment on the MINI structured diagnostic interview that it does not meet criteria for cannabis use disorder)
• Active infection
• Non-psychiatric controls who meet the following criteria will be excluded from participation in this study:
• Current psychiatric condition assessed by the MINI

Where it is running

• NYU Langone Health — New York, New York, United States (enrolling)

Full record on ClinicalTrials.gov

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