Harnessing exercise for brain health: BDNF, neuroplasticity & well-being.
Level 5 - mechanism / opinion, no new human data
Narrative review of biological mechanisms and clinical associations without systematic search methodology
PubMed 41206250 · doi:10.1016/j.encep.2025.08.006
What was done
The authors conducted a narrative review synthesizing literature on how physical activity, particularly aerobic exercise, influences mood and cognitive functions such as memory and attention. The review specifically examined biological mechanisms, focused on brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), neurogenesis, and synaptogenesis in the hippocampus across children, adults, and older adults.
What was found
The abstract reports no numerical findings, sample sizes, or effect estimates. It qualitatively reports that aerobic exercise increases BDNF in key brain regions to foster neurogenesis and synaptogenesis, which associates with alleviated depression and anxiety symptoms and enhanced cognitive performance across age cohorts.
Why it matters
It summarizes the mechanistic links between exercise, neurotrophic signaling, and mental health, reinforcing physical activity as a non-pharmacological strategy for brain health.
Limits
As a narrative review, it does not use systematic review or meta-analytic methodology. The abstract provides no quantitative data, effect sizes, specific exercise dosage parameters (intensity, frequency, duration), or critical appraisal of the underlying studies.
Cited by
- supports Aerobic exercise stimulates the production of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), promotes neurogenesis, and increases brain plasticity.