The effects of aerobic activity on brain structure.
Open accessAbstract
Aerobic activity is a powerful stimulus for improving mental health and for generating structural changes in the brain. We review the literature documenting these structural changes and explore exactly where in the brain these changes occur as well as the underlying substrates of the changes including neural, glial, and vasculature components. Aerobic activity has been shown to produce different types of changes in the brain. The presence of novel experiences or learning is an especially important component in how these changes are manifest. We also discuss the distinct time courses of structural brain changes with both aerobic activity and learning as well as how these effects might differ in diseased and elderly groups.
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Without information relating to the specific substrates underlying changes in tissue composition, it is difficult to determine the exact functional significance of a change in volume.
“Without information relating to the specific substrates underlying changes in tissue composition, it is difficult to determine the exact functional significance of a change in volume (Czéh and Lucassen, 2007; Thomas et al., 2012; Biedermann et al., 2016).”
From Aerobic Exercise as a Tool to Improve Hippocampal Plasticity and Function in Humans: Practical Implications for Mental Health Treatment (2016) · cites this paper as Thomas et al., 2012
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References 104 · Cited by 303
- Authors
- Thomas, A. G., Dennis, A., Bandettini, P. A., & Johansen-Berg, H.
- Affiliations
- National Institutes of Health (US)
- John Radcliffe Hospital (GB)
- Corresponding author
- Thomas, Adam G.
- Venue
- Frontiers in Psychology
- Publisher
- Frontiers Media SA
- Published
- 2012
- Volume
- 3
- Pages
- 86-86
- ISSN
- 1664-1078 (ISSN-L)
- PMC
- PMC3311131
- OpenAlex
- W2158318714
- Cited by
- 303
- References
- 104
- Citations by year
- 2026: 9 · 2025: 18 · 2024: 24 · 2023: 16 · 2022: 25 · 2021: 19 · 2020: 30 · 2019: 31 · 2018: 19 · 2017: 24 · 2016: 22 · 2015: 23 · 2014: 21 · 2013: 16 · 2012: 4
- FWCI
- 6.88
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- gold
- doi.org
- Licence
- cc-by-nc
- Locations
- Frontiers in Psychology (publishedVersion, cc-by-nc)
- PubMed Central (publishedVersion)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- DOAJ (DOAJ: Directory of Open Access Journals) (submittedVersion, cc-by-sa)
- Funders
- Wellcome Trust (090955)
- Topics
- Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Developmental Neuroscience › Neurogenesis and neuroplasticity mechanisms
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Physiology › Physical Activity and Health
- Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Cellular and Molecular Neuroscience › Neuroscience and Neuropharmacology Research
- Keywords
- aerobic exercise, brain structure, neuroplasticity, mental health, glial cells, cerebral vasculature, novel experience, learning, aging, neurodegenerative diseases, exercise and learning
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