Exercise, energy intake, glucose homeostasis, and the brain.
Here we summarize topics covered in an SFN symposium that considered how and why exercise and energy intake affect neuroplasticity and, conversely, how the brain regulates peripheral energy metabolism. This article is not a comprehensive review of the subject, but rather a view of how the authors' findings fit into a broader context. Emerging findings elucidate cellular and molecular mechanisms by which exercise and energy intake modify the plasticity of neural circuits in ways that affect brain health. By enhancing neurogenesis, synaptic plasticity and neuronal stress robustness, exercise and intermittent energy restriction/fasting may optimize brain function and forestall metabolic and neurodegenerative diseases. Moreover, brain-centered glucoregulatory and immunomodulating systems that mediate peripheral health benefits of intermittent energetic challenges have recently been described. A better understanding of adaptive neural response pathways activated by energetic challenges will enable the development and optimization of interventions to reduce the burden of disease in our communities.
Neuroplasticity and Behavior Unit, Laboratory of Neurosciences, National Institute on Aging, Baltimore, Maryland 21224.
Henriette
http://orcid.org/0000-0002-5727-434X
H
van Praag
Department of Integrative Physiology and the Center for Neuroscience, University of Colorado, Boulder, Colorado 80309.
Monika
M
Fleshner
Diabetes and Obesity Center of Excellence, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington 98195.
Michael W
http://orcid.org/0000-0003-1619-0331
MW
Schwartz
Cellular and Molecular Neuroscience Section, Laboratory of Neurosciences, National Institute on Aging, Baltimore, Maryland 21224, and Department of Neuroscience, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland 21205 mark.mattson@nih.gov.
Mark P
MP
Mattson
D000818:Animals; D001921:Brain / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology*; D015444:Exercise / Q000502:physiology*; D005215:Fasting / Q000502:physiology; D005947:Glucose / Q000378:metabolism*; D006706:Homeostasis; D006801:Humans; D009043:Motor Activity / Q000502:physiology*; D055495:Neurogenesis / Q000502:physiology; D009473:Neuronal Plasticity / Q000502:physiology*; D013315:Stress, Psychological / Q000503:physiopathology
D005947:Glucose