Regular physical activity can have positive effects on brain function and plasticity. Indeed, there is some limited evidence that even a single bout of exercise may promote plasticity within the cortex. However, the mechanisms by which exercise acutely promotes plasticity are not clear. To further explore the effects of acute exercise on cortical function, we examined whether a single bout of exercise was associated with changes in cortical excitability and inhibition. Using standard techniques, cortical stimulus-response curves [90% resting motor threshold (RMT)-150% RMT] were investigated in nine subjects (four females, 31.1 ± 11.7 years) and short-interval intracortical inhibition (SICI) [interstimulus interval 2 ms and 3 ms, conditioning intensities of 80% active motor threshold (AMT) and 90% AMT] in 13 subjects (six females, 28.4 ± 5.1 years) before and at 0 and 15 min following 30 min of ergometer cycling at low-moderate or moderate-high intensity. There were no changes in cortical excitability following exercise but less SICI at both 0 and 15 min post-exercise (F [2, 24] = 7.7, P = 0.003). These findings show that a short period of exercise can transiently reduce SICI. Such a change in inhibition after exercise may contribute to the development of a cortical environment that would be more optimal for plasticity and may partially explain previous findings of enhanced neuroplasticity following low-intensity exercise.

No abstract

Background Cognitive impairments, including delirium, are common after coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) surgery, as described in over three decades of research. Our aim was to pool estimates across the literature for the first-time, relative to time (from pre- to post-CABG) and diagnosis (cognitive impairment, delirium and dementia). Methods A systematic search of four databases was undertaken. 215 studies incorporating data from 91,829 patients were used to estimate the prevalence of cognitive impairments pre- and post-CABG, including delirium and dementia post-CABG, using random effects meta-analyses. Results Pre-surgical cognitive impairment was seen in 19% of patients. Post-operatively, cognitive impairment was seen in around 43% of patients acutely; this resolved to 19% at 4–6 months and then increased to 25% of patients between 6-months to 1-year post-operatively. In the long term, between 1 and 5-years post-operatively, cognitive impairment increased and was seen in nearly 40% of patients. Post-operative delirium was apparent in 18% of CABG patients which increased to 24% when a diagnostic instrument was utilized alongside clinical criteria. Dementia was present in 7% of patients 5–7 years post-surgery. Conclusion The results of this meta-analysis demonstrate that cognitive impairment and delirium are major issues in CABG patients which require specific attention. It is imperative that appropriate methods for investigating cognitive impairment, and screening for delirium using a diagnostic instrument, occur in both pre-and post-CABG settings.

No abstract