Exercise Reshapes the Brain: Molecular, Cellular, and Structural Changes Associated with Cognitive Improvements

Overview

Journal Mol Neurobiol

Specialties Molecular Biology
Neurology

Date 2023 Jul 30

PMID 37518829

Authors

Marcus Augusto-Oliveira

Gabriela P Arrifano

Caio G Leal-Nazare

Leticia Santos-Sacramento

Amanda Lopes-Araujo

Luiz Fernando Freire Royes

Maria Elena Crespo-Lopez

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

Physical exercise is well known as a non-pharmacological and holistic therapy believed to prevent and mitigate numerous neurological conditions and alleviate ageing-related cognitive decline. To do so, exercise affects the central nervous system (CNS) at different levels. It changes brain physiology and structure, promoting cognitive improvements, which ultimately improves quality of life. Most of these effects are mediated by neurotrophins release, enhanced adult hippocampal neurogenesis, attenuation of neuroinflammation, modulation of cerebral blood flow, and structural reorganisation, besides to promote social interaction with beneficial cognitive outcomes. In this review, we discuss, based on experimental and human research, how exercise impacts the brain structure and function and how these changes contribute to cognitive improvements. Understanding the mechanisms by which exercise affects the brain is essential to understand the brain plasticity following exercise, guiding therapeutic approaches to improve the quality of life, especially in obesity, ageing, neurodegenerative disorders, and following traumatic brain injury.

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