Heartrate and Breathing Effects on Attention and Memory

In the current study, we will examine how daily paced breathing affects plasma amyloid beta levels and the rate of learning in older adults. Healthy adults aged 50-70 who meet all eligibility criteria will be invited to this study. Participants will be randomly assigned to one of the two conditions: 1) Daily memory and attention training followed by a paced breathing protocol designed to increase relaxation or 2) Daily memory and attention training followed by a paced breathing protocol to increase alertness. Participants will be asked to complete pre and post intervention cognitive testing online, engage in 10 weeks of daily brain training (starting Week 2) and 9 weeks of paced breathing (starting Week 3) at home. They will also be asked to come in for lab visits on Weeks 2, 7 and 12 to provide blood and urine samples to assess amyloid beta levels and to complete magnetic resonance imaging scans to assess perivascular space volume.

Inclusion Criteria:speak English fluentlybetween the age of 50-70healthy adult who weighs at least 110 poundsnon-pregnant and non-menstruating (for at least the past year)normal or corrected-to-normal vision and hearinghave a home computer with a physical keyboard and have access to reliable internethave an email account that you check regularlyhave a phone that receives text messageswilling to provide a blood sample and a urine sample at three lab visitswilling to devote up to 60 minutes daily to the study for 12 weeks (in addition to lab visits)Exclusion Criteria:have a disorder that would impede performing the breathing intervention (e.g., abnormal cardiac rhythm, heart disease including coronary artery disease, angina, and arrhythmia, cognitive impairment, dyspnea)regularly practicing any relaxation, biofeedback, or breathing technique (e.g., meditation) for more than an hour a weekregularly played Lumosity games in the past 6 monthsparticipated in heart rate biofeedback studies in the USC Emotion & Cognition Labhave any conditions listed below that are not safe for MRIClaustrophobiaHave worked as a machinist, metal worker, or in any profession or hobby grinding metal?Have had an injury to the eye involving a metallic object (e.g., metallic slivers, shavings, or foreign body)Cardiac pacemakerImplanted cardiac defibrillatorAneurysm clip or brain clipCarotid artery vascular clampNeurostimulatorInsulin or infusion pumpSpinal fusion stimulatorCochlear, otologic, ear tubes or ear implantProsthesis (eye/orbital, penile, etc.)Implant held in place by a magnetHeart valve prosthesisArtificial limb or jointOther implants in body or headElectrodes (on body, head or brain)Intravascular stents, filtersShunt (spinal or intraventricular)Vascular access port or cathetersIUDTransdermal delivery system or other types of foil patches (e.g., Nitro, Nicotine, Birth control, etc.) that cannot be removed for MRIShrapnel, buckshot, or bulletsTattooed eyeliner or eyebrowsBody piercing(s) that cannot be removed for MRIMetal fragments (eye, head, ear, skin)Internal pacing wiresAortic clipsMetal or wire mesh implantsWire sutures or surgical staplesHarrington rods (spine)Bone/joint pin, screw, nail, wire, plateWig or toupee that cannot be removed for MRIHair implants that involve staples or metalHearing aid(s) that cannot be removed for MRIDentures or retainers that cannot be removed for MRI