Exercise and the brain: something to chew on

Evidence is accumulating that exercise has profound benefits for brain function. Physical activity improves learning and memory in humans and animals. Moreover, an active lifestyle might prevent or delay loss of cognitive function with aging or neurodegenerative disease. Recent research indicates th...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Trends in neurosciences (Regular ed.) 2009-05, Vol.32 (5), p.283-290
Main Author: van Praag, Henriette
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Age Factors
Animals
Brain
Brain - anatomy & histology
Brain - cytology
Brain - drug effects
Brain - physiology
Exercise
Exercise - physiology
Fatty Acids, Omega-3 - pharmacology
Flavonoids - pharmacology
Humans
Learning
Memory
Mental Processes - drug effects
Mental Processes - physiology
Neurology
Neuronal Plasticity - drug effects
Neuronal Plasticity - physiology
Neurons - cytology
Neurons - drug effects
Neurons - physiology
Neurosciences
Phenols - pharmacology
Polyphenols
Sex Factors
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Summary:Evidence is accumulating that exercise has profound benefits for brain function. Physical activity improves learning and memory in humans and animals. Moreover, an active lifestyle might prevent or delay loss of cognitive function with aging or neurodegenerative disease. Recent research indicates that the effects of exercise on the brain can be enhanced by concurrent consumption of natural products such as omega fatty acids or plant polyphenols. The potential synergy between diet and exercise could involve common cellular pathways important for neurogenesis, cell survival, synaptic plasticity and vascular function. Optimal maintenance of brain health might depend on exercise and intake of natural products.
ISSN:0166-2236
1878-108X
DOI:10.1016/j.tins.2008.12.007