Cited by 158Neurogenesis and neuroplasticity mechanismsPhysical Activity and HealthNerve injury and regeneration

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Beneficial effects of moderate voluntary physical exercise and its biological mechanisms on brain health

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Ma, Qiang·2008·Neuroscience Bulletin

DOI 10.1007/s12264-008-0402-1PMC PMC5552589

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Abstract

This article reviewed the beneficial effects of moderate voluntary physical exercise on brain health according to the studies on humans and animals, which includes improving psychological status and cognitive function, enhancing psychological well-being, decreasing the risks of Alzheimer's disease (AD) and dementia, and promoting the effects of antidepressant and anxiolytic. The possible underlying neurobiological mechanisms are involved up-active and down-active pathways. The up-active pathway is associated with enhancements of several neurotransmitters systems afferent to hippocampus, including norepinephrine (NE), serotonin (5-Hydroxytryptamine, 5-HT), acetylcholine (ACh) and gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA). The down-active pathway is mainly concerned with up-regulation of the brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and neurogenesis. It is suggested that NE activation via beta-adrenergic receptors may be essential for exercise-induced BDNF up-regulation. The possible intracellular signaling pathways of NE-mediated BDNF up-expression may be involved in GPCR-MAPK-PI-3K crosstalk and positive feedback.

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Authors: Ma, Q.
Affiliations: Academy of Military Medical Sciences (CN)
Corresponding author: Ma, Qiang
ORCID: Ma, Qiang
Venue: Neuroscience Bulletin
Publisher: Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Published: 2008-08
Volume: 24
Issue: 4
Pages: 265-270
ISSN: 1995-8218 (ISSN-L)
1673-7067
DOI: 10.1007/s12264-008-0402-1
PMC: PMC5552589
OpenAlex: W182877123
Cited by: 158
References: 25
Citations by year: 2025: 6 · 2024: 9 · 2023: 13 · 2022: 19 · 2021: 11 · 2020: 9 · 2019: 3 · 2018: 10 · 2017: 5 · 2016: 9 · 2015: 10 · 2014: 7 · 2013: 14 · 2012: 9
FWCI: 2.45
Type: journal article
Language: en
Open access: bronze
doi.org
Licence: www.springer.com/tdm (tdm)
Locations: Neuroscience Bulletin (publishedVersion)
PubMed Central (publishedVersion)
PubMed (publishedVersion)
Topics: Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Developmental Neuroscience › Neurogenesis and neuroplasticity mechanisms
Health Sciences › Medicine › Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health › Physical Activity and Health
Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Cellular and Molecular Neuroscience › Nerve injury and regeneration
Keywords: brain health, cognitive function, psychological well-being, Alzheimer's disease, dementia, antidepressant effects, anxiolytic effects, norepinephrine, beta-adrenergic receptors, brain-derived neurotrophic factor, neurogenesis, hippocampus, neurotransmitter systems, GABA, serotonin, acetylcholine
MeSH terms: Alzheimer Disease, Animals, Brain, Dementia, Humans, Physical Conditioning, Animal, Signal Transduction, Exercise, Neurotransmitter Agents

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Beneficial effects of moderate voluntary physical exercise and its biological mechanisms on brain health

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