Neuroprotective cellular and molecular mechanisms of physical exercise on neurodegenerative diseases.
Level 5 - mechanism / opinion, no new human data
Narrative review describing biological mechanisms without original empirical data or systematic review methodology.
PubMed 42100633 · doi:10.5599/admet.3058
What was done
This narrative review synthesized literature on the cellular and molecular pathways through which physical exercise impacts neurodegenerative diseases, including Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, and Huntington's diseases. The abstract details no systematic search strategy or empirical trial protocol.
What was found
No quantitative data, effect estimates, or sample statistics are reported in the abstract. The authors report that physical exercise increases neurotrophic factors (BDNF, IGF-1, VEGF), promotes neurogenesis and synaptic plasticity, induces a neuroprotective anti-inflammatory microglial phenotype, reduces detrimental cytokines, enhances autophagy, and supports neurotransmitter balance.
Why it matters
It organizes the mechanistic rationale for prescribing exercise as an adjunctive non-pharmacological intervention to support neural network integrity in neurodegenerative conditions.
Limits
The paper provides mechanism-based narrative synthesis rather than primary clinical evidence or a systematic review. The abstract gives no specific exercise protocols (dose, frequency, modality) and does not quantify clinical effect sizes in human patients.
Cited by
- supports Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) plays an active role in enhancing neuroplasticity and stimulating the generation of new neurons.