Exercise enhances and protects brain function.
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.
Cotman
Carl W
CW
Institute for Brain Aging and Dementia, University of California, Irvine 92697-4540, USA. cwcotman@uci.edu
Engesser-Cesar
Christie
C
D000818:Animals; D001921:Brain / Q000502:physiology*; D019208:Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor / Q000502:physiology*; D004967:Estrogens / Q000502:physiology; D020411:Oligonucleotide Array Sequence Analysis; D010805:Physical Conditioning, Animal / Q000502:physiology*; D005082:Physical Exertion / Q000502:physiology*; D013569:Synapses / Q000502:physiology; D015854:Up-Regulation / Q000502:physiology
D019208:Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor; D004967:Estrogens