Exercise and the Brain: Neurogenesis, Synaptic Plasticity, Spine Density, and Angiogenesis

Wang, Zejun; Praag, Henriette van

doi:10.1007/978-1-4614-3293-7_1

Cited by 23 publications

(18 citation statements)

References 158 publications

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“…The neurogenesis studies were conducted in laboratory animal models, and because it is not possible to measure neurogenesis in humans, we only claim here that the intervention was “inspired” by laboratory studies, not that it is possible to assess any influence on neurogenesis itself. We do nonetheless propose that the neurophysiological processes that are engaged during MAP Training are mediated, at least in part, by learning processes within the hippocampal formation combined with the well‐established effects of aerobic exercise on hippocampal plasticity (Déry et al, ; Nokia et al, ; Wang and van Praag, ). The hippocampal formation is necessary for acquisition and short‐term (i.e.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 80%

Do sex differences in rumination explain sex differences in depression?

Shors

Millon

Chang

et al. 2016

J of Neuroscience Research

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It is generally accepted that women tend to ruminate more than men do and these thought patterns are often associated with depressive symptoms (Nolen-Hoeksema et al., ). Based on these findings, we considered whether the relationship between rumination and depression is stronger in women than in men and if so, whether this might explain the higher prevalence of major depressive disorder (MDD) in women and finally, whether the association can be disrupted through a mind/body intervention. Adult men and women, most of whom were clinically depressed, participated in an intervention known as MAP Training, which combines "mental" training with silent meditation and "physical" training with aerobic exercise (Shors et al., ). After eight weeks of training, both men and women reported significantly fewer symptoms of depression and fewer ruminative thoughts (Alderman et al., ). Statistical correlations between depressive symptoms and ruminative thoughts were strong and significant (rho > 0.50; p < 0.05) for both men and women before and after MAP Training. However, only in women did depressive symptoms relate to "reflective" ruminations, which involve analyses of past events, feelings, and behaviors. This is also the only relationship that dissipated after the intervention. In general, these analyses suggest that the strength of the relationship between depressive symptoms and rumination does not necessarily explain sex differences in depression; but because the relationship is strong, targeting rumination through intervention can reduce the incidence of MDD, which is more prevalent among women. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 80%

Do sex differences in rumination explain sex differences in depression?

Shors

Millon

Chang

et al. 2016

J of Neuroscience Research

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“…75 A second candidate mechanism is neurogenesis, specifically the production of new neurons in the hippocampal formation of the adult brain. 6,76,77 A number of studies have reported that exercise in laboratory animals increases neurogenesis and exposure to stressful conditions that mimic stressful life conditions in humans reduce cell production. Because individuals with MDD often exhibit reduced hippocampal volumes, 28 some have speculated that aerobic exercise alleviates depression through an increase in cell proliferation.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

MAP training: combining meditation and aerobic exercise reduces depression and rumination while enhancing synchronized brain activity

Alderman¹,

Olson²,

Brush³

et al. 2019

Preprint

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Mental and physical (MAP) training is a novel clinical intervention that combines mental training through meditation and physical training through aerobic exercise. The intervention was translated from neuroscientific studies indicating that MAP training increases neurogenesis in the adult brain. Each session consisted of 30 min of focused-attention (FA) meditation and 30 min of moderate-intensity aerobic exercise. Fifty-two participants completed the 8-week intervention, which consisted of two sessions per week. Following the intervention, individuals with major depressive disorder (MDD; n = 22) reported significantly less depressive symptoms and ruminative thoughts. Typical healthy individuals (n = 30) also reported less depressive symptoms at follow-up. Behavioral and event-related potential indices of cognitive control were collected at baseline and follow-up during a modified flanker task. Following MAP training, N2 and P3 component amplitudes increased relative to baseline, especially among individuals with MDD. These data indicate enhanced neural responses during the detection and resolution of conflicting stimuli. Although previous research has supported the individual beneficial effects of aerobic exercise and meditation for depression, these findings indicate that a combination of the two may be particularly effective in increasing cognitive control processes and decreasing ruminative thought patterns.

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“…In recent years, the study of the effects of physical activity (PA) on brain health and the improvement of cognitive function has acquired special attention. This has been mainly driven by findings from several studies reporting the association between PA and active lifestyle and a decrease in dementia risk and cognitive improvement at old age (Larson et al, 2006;Wang and van Praag, 2012;Bherer et al, 2013;Prakash et al, 2015;Duzel et al, 2016;Santos-Lozano et al, 2016;Engeroff et al, 2018). It has also been considered as a potential strategy to improve academic performance, cognitive abilities, and intellectual function in children (Tomporowski et al, 2008), although the evidence for this is limited (Li et al, 2017).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Physical Activity Is Associated With Better Executive Function in University Students

Salas-Gómez

Fernández-Gorgojo

Pozueta

et al. 2020

Front. Hum. Neurosci.

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Introduction: In recent years, the study of the benefits that physical exercise has on brain health has acquired special relevance. In order to implement exercise as an intervention to protect the brain, it is important to have a more clear idea of its effect in the young population. However, few studies have been carried out on these ages. Objective: The main objective of our study was to evaluate the association between physical activity (PA) with memory and executive function, in university students, analyzing the modulatory effect of sex. Methodology: We collected socio-demographic and life habit information, as well as data on the PA that was carried out during the previous week using the international PA questionnaire short version (IPAQ-SF) questionnaire in 206 university students (mean age 19.55 ± 2.39; 67.5% women). Memory and executive function were assessed using a comprehensive battery of validate cognitive tests. Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed to correlate PA with cognitive tests scores and to evaluate the potential synergistic role of sex. Results: The main finding was that the total amount of PA correlated positively with several tests that evaluated aspects of executive function, specifically Stroop Colors (Pearson's r = 0.17; p = 0.01) and the Stroop Test Color-Word (Pearson's r = 0.15. p = 0.03). These results were adjusted by a large number of possible confounders and modifying variables in a multivariate analysis, like age, sex, academic record, day of the week, and time at which the test was performed. Additionally, we found out that sex had a synergistic effect with PA on the executive test Trail making test-A (TMTA), and in women, this association was stronger than in men. The more PA women reported, the better they performed, that is to say that they took less time to finalize the TMT-A (interaction term between PA and sex: b = −0.0009; p = 0.014). Conclusion: Our study adds evidence of the benefit of PA in cognition in the young population, specifically in the executive inhibitory control, and more significantly in women.

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Exercise and the Brain: Neurogenesis, Synaptic Plasticity, Spine Density, and Angiogenesis

Cited by 23 publications

References 158 publications

Do sex differences in rumination explain sex differences in depression?

Do sex differences in rumination explain sex differences in depression?

MAP training: combining meditation and aerobic exercise reduces depression and rumination while enhancing synchronized brain activity

Physical Activity Is Associated With Better Executive Function in University Students

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