HDLighthouse.org
Conclusion
Exercise is a simple and widely practised behavior that activates molecular and cellular cascades that support and maintain brain plasticity. It induces expression of genes associated with plasticity, such as that encoding BDNF, and in addition promotes brain vascularization, neurogenesis, functional changes in neuronal structure and neuronal resistance to injury. Significantly, these effects occur in the hippocampus, a brain region central to learning and memory. BDNF availability could be crucial for these mechanisms. Exercise-driven increases in the level of hippocampal BDNF are controlled by neuronal activity, neurotransmitters and interactions with peripheral factors that include estrogen, corticosterone and possibly IGF-1. The peripheral influence illustrates how exercise can relate overall body status to brain function. Exercise recruits use-dependent plasticity mechanisms that prepare the brain to encode meaningful information from the environment and, at the same time, activates mechanisms that protect the brain from damage. By inducing BDNF and other molecules, exercise strengthens neuronal structure and facilitates synaptic transmission, thus, priming activated cells for encoding.
The clinical literature has recognized for years that exercise affects overall health and brain function. Scientific studies are now strengthening the premise that exercise can benefit brain function and are encouraging additional clinical research in this area.
Conclusion
Exercise is a simple and widely practised behavior that activates molecular and cellular cascades that support and maintain brain plasticity. It induces expression of genes associated with plasticity, such as that encoding BDNF, and in addition promotes brain vascularization, neurogenesis, functional changes in neuronal structure and neuronal resistance to injury. Significantly, these effects occur in the hippocampus, a brain region central to learning and memory. BDNF availability could be crucial for these mechanisms. Exercise-driven increases in the level of hippocampal BDNF are controlled by neuronal activity, neurotransmitters and interactions with peripheral factors that include estrogen, corticosterone and possibly IGF-1. The peripheral influence illustrates how exercise can relate overall body status to brain function. Exercise recruits use-dependent plasticity mechanisms that prepare the brain to encode meaningful information from the environment and, at the same time, activates mechanisms that protect the brain from damage. By inducing BDNF and other molecules, exercise strengthens neuronal structure and facilitates synaptic transmission, thus, priming activated cells for encoding.
The clinical literature has recognized for years that exercise affects overall health and brain function. Scientific studies are now strengthening the premise that exercise can benefit brain function and are encouraging additional clinical research in this area.
Comments