Run fast during middle age and live dementia free in older age?
RomanLeischik, Prof. Dr. med., Senior Lecturer Health Promotion, Cardiology, Sports Medicine, University Witten-Herdeckeinfo@dr-leischik.de
Submitted March 07, 2016
The idea of improving brain volume by exercise is not new. [1] Exercise is a brain food, [2] but can exercise warrant positive effects for cognition?
Cognitive health is the most important construct of life. Creation of health and well-being is a multidimensional action that can be promoted by healthy behaviour, mental interactions (salutogenesis, resilience), public interventions, and environmental settings. Increased knowledge suggests that exercise induced catecholamines are not the only components which interact on cognition. [3] Microvasculature (endothelium/capillaries), cell function (neurons/glia cells), synapses, and social communication are all part of a complex system that regulates cognitive function and plasticity/neurochemistry of the brain. [4]
Physical activity (PA) is a polypill for metabolism and atherosclerosis. [5] Many different factors may influence neurotransmitters involved in brain function and cognition. [3,4] Brain plasticity with positive outcomes requires a complex training paradigm demanding sensory-cognitive activities on an intensive basis for physical and social rehabilitation.
An increased brain volume is linked to better cognitive function, but the conclusion of Spartano et al. should be considered with caution. [1] There is no doubt about the positive influence of PA in all areas of life, but cognitive enrichment is a very complex, multilevel process.
1. Spartano NL, Himali JJ, Beiser AS, et al. Midlife exercise blood pressure, heart rate, and fitness relate to brain volume 2 decades later. Neurology Epub 2016 Feb 10.
2. Ploughman M. Exercise is brain food: the effects of physical activity on cognitive function. Developmental neurorehabilitation. Dev Neurorehabil 2008;11:236-240.
3. Hertzog C, Kramer AF, Wilson RS, Lindenberger U. Enrichment Effects on Adult Cognitive Development: Can the Functional Capacity of Older Adults Be Preserved and Enhanced? Psychol Sci Public Interest 2008;9:1-65.
4. Mahncke HW, Bronstone A, Merzenich MM. Brain plasticity and functional losses in the aged: scientific bases for a novel intervention. Prog Brain Res 2006;157:81-109.
5. Leischik R, Foshag P, Strauss M, et al. Physical activity, cardiorespiratory fitness and carotid intima thickness: sedentary occupation as risk factor for atherosclerosis and obesity. Eur Rev Med Pharmacol Sci 2015;19:3157-3168.
For disclosures, please contact the editorial office at journal@neurology.org.
The idea of improving brain volume by exercise is not new. [1] Exercise is a brain food, [2] but can exercise warrant positive effects for cognition?
Cognitive health is the most important construct of life. Creation of health and well-being is a multidimensional action that can be promoted by healthy behaviour, mental interactions (salutogenesis, resilience), public interventions, and environmental settings. Increased knowledge suggests that exercise induced catecholamines are not the only components which interact on cognition. [3] Microvasculature (endothelium/capillaries), cell function (neurons/glia cells), synapses, and social communication are all part of a complex system that regulates cognitive function and plasticity/neurochemistry of the brain. [4]
Physical activity (PA) is a polypill for metabolism and atherosclerosis. [5] Many different factors may influence neurotransmitters involved in brain function and cognition. [3,4] Brain plasticity with positive outcomes requires a complex training paradigm demanding sensory-cognitive activities on an intensive basis for physical and social rehabilitation.
An increased brain volume is linked to better cognitive function, but the conclusion of Spartano et al. should be considered with caution. [1] There is no doubt about the positive influence of PA in all areas of life, but cognitive enrichment is a very complex, multilevel process.
1. Spartano NL, Himali JJ, Beiser AS, et al. Midlife exercise blood pressure, heart rate, and fitness relate to brain volume 2 decades later. Neurology Epub 2016 Feb 10.
2. Ploughman M. Exercise is brain food: the effects of physical activity on cognitive function. Developmental neurorehabilitation. Dev Neurorehabil 2008;11:236-240.
3. Hertzog C, Kramer AF, Wilson RS, Lindenberger U. Enrichment Effects on Adult Cognitive Development: Can the Functional Capacity of Older Adults Be Preserved and Enhanced? Psychol Sci Public Interest 2008;9:1-65.
4. Mahncke HW, Bronstone A, Merzenich MM. Brain plasticity and functional losses in the aged: scientific bases for a novel intervention. Prog Brain Res 2006;157:81-109.
5. Leischik R, Foshag P, Strauss M, et al. Physical activity, cardiorespiratory fitness and carotid intima thickness: sedentary occupation as risk factor for atherosclerosis and obesity. Eur Rev Med Pharmacol Sci 2015;19:3157-3168.
For disclosures, please contact the editorial office at journal@neurology.org.