Updated overview on interplay between physical exercise, neurotrophins, and cognitive function in humans

Publication date: Available online 6 September 2019Source: Journal of Sport and Health ScienceAuthor(s): Giuseppe Lippi, Camilla Mattiuzzi, Fabian Sanchis-GomarAbstractThe many important benefits of physical exercise also encompass maintenance or improvement of cognitive functions. Among the various mechanisms underlying the association between physical exercise and brain health, recent evidence attests that neurotrophin receptor signaling may have an important role, since the activation of this pathway leads to growth and differentiation of new neurons and synapses, supports axonal and dendritic growth, fosters synaptic plasticity, and preserves survival of existing neurons. In this review of published evidence, we highlight that a positive relationship exists between physical exercise and circulating brain-derived neurotrophic factor levels and that the post-exercise variation of this molecule is associated with improvement of neurocognitive functioning. Less clear evidence has instead been published for other neurotrophins, such as nerve growth factor, neurotrophin-3, and neurotrophin-4. Overall, promotion of adequate volumes and intensities of physical exercise (i.e., ∼3 months of moderate-intensity aerobic exercise, with 2–3 sessions per week lasting not less than 30 min) may hence be regarded as an inexpensive and safe strategy for boosting brain-derived neurotrophic factor release, thus preserving or restoring cognitive functions.Graphical abstract
Source: Journal of Sport and Health Science - Category: Sports Medicine Source Type: research