Molecular Mechanisms Underlying the Beneficial Effects of Exercise on Brain Function and Neurological Disorders.

Kévin Nay, William J Smiles, Jacqueline Kaiser, Luke M McAloon, Kim Loh, Sandra Galic, Jonathan S Oakhill, Andrew L Gundlach, John W Scott

Journal: International journal of molecular sciences 2021;22(8):4052

PMID: 33919972

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Plain Language Summary

Exercise as therapy for mental health disorders has become common due to its reported benefits and low cost. There are many biological ways in which exercise may help mood disorders and diseases associated with brain degeneration and this review article aimed to highlight these. The authors first highlighted the research indicating that exercise may be protective in mood disorders with studies showing reduction of symptoms of depression, anxiety, schizophrenia, autism, and bipolar disorder. Exercise may also be of benefit in several brain degenerative disorders with studies indicating a positive impact in individuals with Parkinson’s disease, Alzheimer’s disease, Huntington’s disease, and Multiple Sclerosis. Studies have also indicated that individuals with brain injuries, such as stroke may also benefit. Several reasons for this were highlighted. When muscle is stimulated during exercise a key brain signalling molecule may be produced, known as brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF). BDNF may have the effect of preventing brain degeneration and promoting regeneration. Exercise may also increase gut microbial diversity and increase beneficial bacteria which may benefit the brain in several ways. It was concluded that exercise may have beneficial effects for individuals with brain disorders. This study could be used by healthcare professionals to understand how exercise may be of benefit to individuals with mood disorders, brain degenerative diseases and brain injuries as part of a holistic treatment plan.

Abstract

As life expectancy has increased, particularly in developed countries, due to medical advances and increased prosperity, age-related neurological diseases and mental health disorders have become more prevalent health issues, reducing the well-being and quality of life of sufferers and their families. In recent decades, due to reduced work-related levels of physical activity, and key research insights, prescribing adequate exercise has become an innovative strategy to prevent or delay the onset of these pathologies and has been demonstrated to have therapeutic benefits when used as a sole or combination treatment. Recent evidence suggests that the beneficial effects of exercise on the brain are related to several underlying mechanisms related to muscle-brain, liver-brain and gut-brain crosstalk. Therefore, this review aims to summarize the most relevant current knowledge of the impact of exercise on mood disorders and neurodegenerative diseases, and to highlight the established and potential underlying mechanisms involved in exercise-brain communication and their benefits for physiology and brain function.

Address: St Vincent's Institute of Medical Research, Fitzroy, Victoria 3065, Australia.; Exercise and Nutrition Research Program, Mary MacKillop Institute for Health Research, Australian Catholic University, Melbourne, Victoria 3000, Australia.; Department of Medicine, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria 3010, Australia.; The Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, Parkville, Victoria 3052, Australia.

DOI: 10.3390/ijms22084052