Aerobic Training Effects on Motor and Cognitive Performances in MS: an Exploratory Study With Structural and Functional MRI

Aerobic training (AT) induces cardiovascular, metabolic and muscular changes and has been proposed as a promising rehabilitative approach in elderly adults and in neurological patients to improve both motor and cognitive performances. The Investigators wish to explore the role of AT in multiple sclerosis (MS) patients on physical and neuropsychological functions and its underlying anatomical and functional substrates, using advanced magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) methods. In this project, the Investigators wish to apply aerobic training in right-handed MS patients and healthy controls to assess: 1. the effects of aerobic training compared to conventional motor training on motor and cardio-vascular parameters; 2. the effect of aerobic training compared to conventional motor training on cognitive performance, depression and fatigue; 3. the modifications of functional activations during a cognitive task and of functional connectivity in motor and cognitive networks during resting state following aerobic training and conventional motor training (functional plasticity); 4. the regional variations of gray matter (GM) volumes and white matter (WM) architecture after aerobic training and conventional motor training (structural plasticity); 5. the correlations between the changes detected with structural and functional MRI and clinical, motor and neuropsychological scales.