“…BDNF plays a role in neuronal growth, differentiation, neuronal survival, synaptic plasticity, and memory and learning processes [ 16 , 17 ]. Human and animal studies have demonstrated that acute exercise bouts stimulate neuronal function, brain vascularization, and neurogenesis, improve mood, and enhance learning [ 18 , 19 ] via the elevation of BDNF [ 18 , 19 , 20 , 21 , 22 , 23 ]. Conversely, exercise in polluted air has been shown to inhibit the acute exercise-induced increase in BDNF secretion typically seen following exercise bouts, suggesting that exposure to air pollution blunts the improvement in cognitive health and CNS plasticity [ 18 , 19 , 20 ].…”