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Exercise Enhances and Protects Brain Function

Exercise and Sport Sciences ReviewsPublished 1 April 2002
Carl W. Cotman, Christie Engesser‐Cesar
Citations384
SJR quartileQ1
SJR score1.35
SNIP1.72

TL;DR

Animals that exercise show an increase in brain-derived neurotrophic factor, a molecule that increases neuronal survival, enhances learning, and protects against cognitive decline.

Abstract

Physical activity, in the form of voluntary wheel running, induces gene expression changes in the brain. Animals that exercise show an increase in brain-derived neurotrophic factor, a molecule that increases neuronal survival, enhances learning, and protects against cognitive decline. Microarray analysis of gene expression provides further support that exercise enhances and supports brain function.

Keywords

MedicineNeuroscienceBiochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology