Please note: This trial has finished recruiting and is not accepting new participants.

Research Center: University Park Campus-University of Southern California
Location: 3715 McClintock Ave. Los Angeles, CA 90089
Lead Researcher: Mara Mather, PhD
IRB Committee: This study has been reviewed and approved by the University of Southern California Institutional Review Board

As people age, brain function is affected, and the chances of experiencing memory problems become greater. This also adds to the difficulty of caring for the elderly population. Recent research has focused on better understanding of the brain. Contrary to common belief, researchers now know that the brain is able to change and reorganize itself throughout life. However, it is still unknown how to best optimize learning and brain resilience, especially after age 50. If the rate of cognitive decline among older adults could be slowed down, it could improve the independence and well-being of the elderly. 

This research study seeks to understand how breathing techniques influence brain health. Breathing affects the brain circuits involved in wakefulness and attention and affects heart rate and blood flow. Researchers hope this study will uncover ways to enhance memory and attention as well as improve brain health and emotional well-being in adults aged 50 to 70.

• Participants will get to experience a new potential technique to improve brain health at no cost.
• Participants may experience improvements in memory, attention, emotional well-being and overall brain function.  
• Participants will be contributing valuable information that may benefit those with memory problems caused by aging in the future.
• Participants will be compensated up to $550 for participating in this study. Compensation will be provided at 2 time points during the study. Participants will be helping to advance brain health research.

• If you decide to participate in the study and later feel that you no longer wish to be part of it, you can withdraw at any time without penalty.
• Any information that you provide will be kept strictly confidential, except as required by law.

• Healthy adults between 50 and 70 years old who are generally healthy and weigh at least 110 pounds.
  • If the interested individual is female, she must be non-pregnant and non-menstruating (for at least the past year)
• Must have a home computer with a physical keyboard and have access to reliable internet
• Must not regularly practice any relaxation, meditation or breathing techniques that last for more than 1 hour per week
• Must not have any of the following conditions:
  • Abnormal heart rhythm 
  • Heart disease (i.e., coronary artery disease, angina, arrhythmia)
  • Dyspnea (difficult or labored breathing)
  • Cognitive impairment
  • Metals in your body
  • Claustrophobia
• Must be able to attend 5 study visits at the research site over approximately 12 weeks. 
• Must agree to devote up to 60 minutes daily to this study for approximately 12 weeks.

The study team can explain the research study in its entirety but some study details are:

• Participants will be trained to do paced breathing techniques that promote brain and nerve activity. Researchers will be examining how heart rate feedback influences how quickly the brain adapts to new skills. 
• Participants will be asked to do brain game training followed by paced breathing every day.
• Participants will be asked to undergo an EEG, MRI scanning, blood draws and provide urine samples.

University of Southern California
The University of Southern California is a leading private research university located in Los Angeles — a global center for arts, technology and international business. It is home to the College of Letters, Arts and Sciences and 21 exceptional academic schools and units. USC’s Health Sciences campus houses renowned specialized care and research in cancer, stem cell and regenerative medicine, orthopedics and sports medicine.

Please note:
Due to the current situation with the COVID-19 pandemic, the researchers would like to assure the participants that ensuring the safety of the participants as well as the study staff is of utmost importance.