Increased Dynamic Flexibility in the Medial Temporal Lobe Network Following an Exercise Intervention Mediates Generalization of Prior Learning.

Increased Dynamic Flexibility in the Medial Temporal Lobe Network Following an Exercise Intervention Mediates Generalization of Prior Learning. Neurobiol Learn Mem. 2020 Nov 10;:107340 Authors: Sinha N, Berg CN, Yassa MA, Gluck MA Abstract Recent work has conceptualized the brain as a network comprised of groups of sub-networks or modules. "Flexibility" of brain network(s) indexes the dynamic reconfiguration of comprising modules. Using novel techniques from dynamic network neuroscience applied to high-resolution resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI), the present study investigated the effects of an aerobic exercise intervention on the dynamic rearrangement of modular community structure-the measure of neural flexibility-within the medial temporal lobe (MTL) network. The MTL is one of the earliest brain regions impacted by Alzheimer's disease. It is also a major site of neuroplasticity that is sensitive to the effects of exercise. In a two-group non-randomized, repeated measures and matched control design with 34 healthy older adults, we observed an exercise-related increase in flexibility within the MTL network. Furthermore, MTL network flexibility mediated the beneficial effect aerobic exercise had on mnemonic flexibility, measured by the ability to generalize past learning to novel task demands. Our results suggest that exercise exerts a rehabilitative and protective effect on MTL function, resulting in dynami...
Source: Neurobiology of Learning and Memory - Category: Neurology Authors: Tags: Neurobiol Learn Mem Source Type: research