Implications of Physical Exercise on Episodic Memory and Anxiety: The Role of the Serotonergic System

Abstract

There is a growing interest in investigating the effects of physical exercise on cognitive performance, particularly episodic memory. Similarly, an increasing number of studies in recent decades have studied the effects of physical activity on mood and anxiety disorders. Moreover, the COVID-19 pandemic has raised awareness of the importance of regular physical activity for both mental and physical health. Nevertheless, the exact mechanisms underlying these effects are not fully understood. Interestingly, recent findings suggest that the serotonergic system may play a key role in mediating the effects of physical exercise on episodic memory and anxiety. In this review, we discuss the impact of physical exercise on both episodic memory and anxiety in human and animal models. In addition, we explore the accumulating evidence that supports a role for the serotonergic system in the effects of physical exercise on episodic memory and anxiety.

Influence of β‐catenin signaling on neurogenesis in neuropsychiatric disorders: Anxiety and depression

“…In addition, the phosphorylation of GSK-3β is involved in hippocampal neurogenesis that mediates the antidepressant effect of Wnt/ β-catenin signaling (Zou et al, 2021). β-Catenin accumulation is a marker for GSK-3β inhibition (Illesca-Matus et al, 2023;Karege et al, 2012). Furthermore, women may be vulnerable to depressive-like behavior because of increased susceptibility to GSK-3β activation (Hasbi et al, 2020).…”