Running Changes the Brain: the Long and the Short of It
Open accessAbstract
Exercise is a simple intervention that profoundly benefits cognition. In rodents, running increases neurogenesis in the hippocampus, a brain area important for memory. We describe the dynamic changes in new neuron number and afferent connections throughout their maturation. We highlight the effects of exercise on the neurotransmitter systems involved, with a focus on the role of glutamate and acetylcholine in the initial development of new neurons in the adult brain.
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In rodents, chronic exercise enhances hippocampal synaptic plasticity, adult neurogenesis, neurotrophin levels, and memory function.
“Chronic exercise in rodents also enhances hippocampal synaptic plasticity, adult neurogenesis and neurotrophin levels, as well as memory function147.”
From Exerkines in health, resilience and disease (2022) · cites this paper as [147]
In rodents, voluntary wheel running increases the number of new hippocampal neurons, enhances morphological maturation such as dendritic branching and spine density, and alters the circuitry of adult-born neurons.
“In addition, voluntary wheel running in rodents increases the number of new hippocampal neurons, enhances morphological maturation, such as dendritic branching and spine density, and alters the circuitry of adult-born neurons147.”
From Exerkines in health, resilience and disease (2022) · cites this paper as [147]
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References 157 · Cited by 114
- Authors
- Vivar, C., & van Praag, H.
- Affiliations
- Instituto Politécnico Nacional (MX)
- Neuroplasticity and Behavior Unit, Laboratory of Neurosciences, Intramural Research Program, National Institute on Aging, National Institutes of Health, Baltimore, Maryland
- ORCID
- Vivar, Carmen
- Venue
- Physiology
- Publisher
- American Physiological Society
- Published
- 2017-11
- Volume
- 32
- Issue
- 6
- Pages
- 410-424
- ISSN
- 0886-1714 (ISSN-L)
- 1548-9213
- 1548-9221
- PMC
- PMC6148340
- OpenAlex
- W2763780083
- Cited by
- 114
- References
- 157
- Citations by year
- 2026: 2 · 2025: 10 · 2024: 10 · 2023: 9 · 2022: 17 · 2021: 19 · 2020: 14 · 2019: 17 · 2018: 14 · 2017: 2
- FWCI
- 1.94
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- green
- europepmc.org
- Locations
- Physiology (publishedVersion)
- Europe PMC (PubMed Central) (publishedVersion)
- PubMed Central (publishedVersion)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- Funders
- Consejo Nacional de Ciencia y Tecnología (National Council of Science and Technology, Mexico) (INFR‐2016 268247)
- HHS | NIH | National Institute on Aging (U.S. National Institute on Aging) (IRP)
- Topics
- Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Developmental Neuroscience › Neurogenesis and neuroplasticity mechanisms
- Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Cognitive Neuroscience › Memory and Neural Mechanisms
- Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Cellular and Molecular Neuroscience › Neuroscience and Neuropharmacology Research
- Keywords
- running, physical activity, hippocampal neurogenesis, adult neurogenesis, afferent connections, glutamate, acetylcholine, neurotransmitter systems, memory, cognitive function
- MeSH terms
- Animals, Brain, Humans, Neurons, Physical Conditioning, Animal, Running, Exercise, Neurotransmitter Agents
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