Aerobic exercise interacts with neurotrophic factors to predict cognitive functioning in adolescents

Abstract

Recent findings have suggested that aerobic exercise may have a positive effect on brain functioning, in addition to its well-recognized beneficial effects on human physiology. This study confirmed the cognitive effects of aerobic exercise on the human brain. It also examined the relationships between exercise and the serum levels of neurotrophic factors (BDNF, IGI-1, and VEGF). A total of 91 healthy teens who exercised regularly participated in this study. A between-group design was adopted to compare cognitive functioning subserved by the frontal and temporal brain regions and the serum levels of neurotrophic factors between 45 regular exercisers and 46 matched controls. The exercisers performed significantly better than the controls on the frontal and temporal functioning parameters measured. This beneficial cognitive effect was region-specific because no such positive cognitive effect on task-tapping occipital functioning was observed. With respect to the serum levels of the neurotrophic factors, a negative correlation between neurotrophic factors (BDNF and VEGF) with frontal and medial-temporal lobe function was revealed. Furthermore, the levels of BDNF and VEGF interacted with exercise status in predicting frontal and temporal lobe function. This is the first report of the interaction effects of exercise and neurotrophic factors on cognitive functioning. Herein, we report preliminary evidence of the beneficial effects of regular aerobic exercise in improving cognitive functions in teens. These beneficial effects are region-specific and are associated with the serum levels of neurotrophic factors. Our findings lay the path for future studies looking at ways to translate these beneficial effects to therapeutic strategies for adolescents.

The Acute Effects of Exercise Intensity on Inhibitory Cognitive Control in Adolescents

“…Indeed, some studies refer to the acute effect of exercise on neurotrophic factors (Phillips et al, 2014; Soga et al, 2015), such as brain derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) (Schmolesky et al, 2013; Szuhany et al, 2015). We have shown that the acute effect of exercise on neurotrophic release in inhibitory control is also mediated by intensity (Heyman et al, 2012; Schmolesky et al, 2013), and the importance of these factors in cognitive development (Lee et al, 2014). …”

Physical Exercise-Induced Adult Neurogenesis: A Good Strategy to Prevent Cognitive Decline in Neurodegenerative Diseases?

“…They reported that increased temporal lobe connectivity between the bilateral parahippocampus and the bilateral middle temporal gyrus was associated with increased peripheral levels of BDNF, IGF-1, and VEGF in elderlies following 7 weeks of aerobic aerobic walking. Similarly, Lee and colleagues reported a significant improvement of brain function specifically in the frontal and temporal brain regions in teens who regularly exercise when compared to age-matched controls [231]. However, this group observed a negative correlation between neurotrophic factors (BDNF and VEGF) and frontal and medial temporal lobe function.…”

“…In agreement, others have found that peripheral levels of BDNF significantly drop below baseline 2 and 3 hours following acute exercise [227, 228], while a significant decrease in resting serum levels of BDNF was found in trained subjects [229, 230]. Additionally, Lee and colleagues have recently reported a significant reduction in resting serum levels of both BDNF and VEGF in adolescent athletes, who showed improved brain function (specifically in the medial-temporal and frontal areas) when compared to their age-matched controls [231]. …”

“…In contrast to acute exercise, sustained exercise training was shown to have no effect [240] or even a negative effect [241] on IGF-1 levels in healthy subjects. Decreased IGF-1 levels were also found in athletes [231] and subjects after 6 weeks of low intensity cycling [242]. Indeed, the relationship between IGF-1 and sustained physical exercise is equivocal.…”

A trip to brain for better performance in mathematics

“…Genetic constitution of an individual regulates extent of response of neurogenesis to physical exercise [Nokia MS et al, 2016]. Exercise promotes cell proliferation, neuron growth and expression of various neurotrophic signaling molecules like BDNF (Brain Derived Neurotrophic factor), GDNF (Glial cell line Derived Neurotrophic Factor), VEGF (Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor), IGF-I (Insulin-like Growth Factor-I) and C-Fos [van Praag H et al, 1999;Lee TM et al, 2014]. These signaling molecules promote blood vessels formation in the brain and neurogenesis in adults.…”