Journal of Clinical Medicine

Research

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14 pages, 3722 KiB

Open AccessArticle

The Benefits of Physical Activity in Individuals with Cardiovascular Risk Factors: A Longitudinal Investigation Using fNIRS and Dual-Task Walking

by Deborah Talamonti, Thomas Vincent, Sarah Fraser, Anil Nigam, Frédéric Lesage and Louis Bherer

J. Clin. Med. 2021, 10(4), 579; https://doi.org/10.3390/jcm10040579 - 4 Feb 2021

Cited by 11 | Viewed by 3538

Abstract

Cardiovascular fitness is linked to better executive functions, preserved gait speed, and efficient cortical activity. Older adults with cardiovascular risk factors (CVRFs) typically show poor cognitive performance, low physical fitness, and altered brain functioning compared with healthy individuals. In the current study, the [...] Read more.

Cardiovascular fitness is linked to better executive functions, preserved gait speed, and efficient cortical activity. Older adults with cardiovascular risk factors (CVRFs) typically show poor cognitive performance, low physical fitness, and altered brain functioning compared with healthy individuals. In the current study, the impact of regular physical activity on cognition, locomotion, and brain functions was explored in a cohort of older adults with low or high CVRFs. Cortical activation of the frontal areas was investigated using functional Near-Infrared Spectroscopy (fNIRS) at baseline, at 6 months and at 12 months. Evoked cortical response and behavioral performance were assessed using the dual-task walking paradigm, consisting of three conditions: single cognitive task (2-back task), single walking task (walking), and dual-task (2-back whilst walking). Results show greater task-related cortical response at baseline in individuals with high CVRFs compared to those with low CVRFs. Moreover, participants with high CVRFs benefitted the most from participating in regular physical activity, as their cortical response decreased at the 12-month follow-up and became comparable to that of participants with low CVRFs. These changes were observed in conjunction with improved cognitive performance and stable gait speed throughout the 12-month period in both groups. Our findings provide evidence that participation in regular physical activity may be especially beneficial in individuals with CVRFs by promoting brain and cognitive health, thus potentially contributing to prevention of cognitive decline. Future research may explore whether such effects are maintained in the long-term in order to design ad-hoc interventions in this specific population. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Effects of Lifestyle Factors and Exercise on Brain Plasticity and Underlying Neurobiological Mechanisms)

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12 pages, 285 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Physical Activity Practice and Optimal Development of Postural Control in School Children: Are They Related?

by Jose L. García-Soidán, Jesús García-Liñeira, Raquel Leirós-Rodríguez and Anxela Soto-Rodríguez

J. Clin. Med. 2020, 9(9), 2919; https://doi.org/10.3390/jcm9092919 - 10 Sep 2020

Cited by 16 | Viewed by 3076

Abstract

Background: This study aims to analyze the effect of physical activity practice on the postural control state of school children. If such an effect was detected, the second aim of the study was to identify which specific capacities of postural control benefited the [...] Read more.

Background: This study aims to analyze the effect of physical activity practice on the postural control state of school children. If such an effect was detected, the second aim of the study was to identify which specific capacities of postural control benefited the most from physical activity. Methods: A cross-sectional study was performed using a convenience sample of 118 healthy children (54 girls) with a mean age of 10.3 ± 1.2 years. Their weight and height were measured. The accelerometric assessment of balance included four different tests in static balance and walking. Results: Physical activity habit prevalence was 38.9% in girls and 60.9% in boys, and its frequency was 2.3 days per week in girls and 2.8 days in boys. The active children obtained lower accelerations, but the active and sedentary girls showed lower accelerometric values than the active boys. The logistic regression analysis demonstrated the influence of sex on the accelerations of the body (p < 0.001), regardless of the habit of physical activity. Conclusions: Active children have better postural control than sedentary children, although sedentary girls have better balance than active boys. Therefore, physical activity practice seems to favor a more efficient development of postural control, but it cannot level or reverse the effect of the neurophysiological factors that are conditioned by sex. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Effects of Lifestyle Factors and Exercise on Brain Plasticity and Underlying Neurobiological Mechanisms)

24 pages, 1921 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Combined and Isolated Effects of Acute Exercise and Brain Stimulation on Executive Function in Healthy Young Adults

by Erika K. Hussey, Eduardo B. Fontes, Nathan Ward, Daniel R. Westfall, Shih-Chun Kao, Arthur F. Kramer and Charles H. Hillman

J. Clin. Med. 2020, 9(5), 1410; https://doi.org/10.3390/jcm9051410 - 10 May 2020

Cited by 11 | Viewed by 4706

Abstract

Acute cognitive enhancement has been sought by healthy young individuals to improve academic and professional performance. Among several methods, physical exercise interventions and transcranial direct current brain stimulation (tDCS) have shown promise in impacting executive functions. Here, we observed a set of new [...] Read more.

Acute cognitive enhancement has been sought by healthy young individuals to improve academic and professional performance. Among several methods, physical exercise interventions and transcranial direct current brain stimulation (tDCS) have shown promise in impacting executive functions. Here, we observed a set of new findings about the causal effect of acute aerobic exercise and tDCS across three facets of executive function: Inhibition (as measured by a flanker task) was selectively impacted by acute aerobic exercise but not tDCS, whereas working memory (as measured by an n-back task) was impacted by both acute aerobic exercise and tDCS, with effects emerging on distinct processing components for each manipulation. Sustained attention (as measured by the Mackworth clock task), on the other hand, was not impacted by acute aerobic exercise or tDCS. Interestingly, no effects of combining acute aerobic exercise and tDCS emerged. We argue that understanding the unique and combined contributions of these cognitive enhancement techniques can not only contribute to a deeper mechanistic explanation in healthy individuals but also inform future research with clinical and aging populations. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Effects of Lifestyle Factors and Exercise on Brain Plasticity and Underlying Neurobiological Mechanisms)

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10 pages, 700 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Acute Effects of Aerobic Exercise on Cognitive Attention and Memory Performance: An Investigation on Duration-Based Dose-Response Relations and the Impact of Increased Arousal Levels

by Sebastian Hacker, Winfried Banzer, Lutz Vogt and Tobias Engeroff

J. Clin. Med. 2020, 9(5), 1380; https://doi.org/10.3390/jcm9051380 - 8 May 2020

Cited by 18 | Viewed by 5231

Abstract

Current evidence indicates that acute aerobic exercise might increase domain-specific cognitive performance. However, only a small number of studies deduced the impact on lower and higher cognitive functions systematically or analyzed dose–response relationships and the underlying mechanisms. This study aimed to expose the [...] Read more.

Current evidence indicates that acute aerobic exercise might increase domain-specific cognitive performance. However, only a small number of studies deduced the impact on lower and higher cognitive functions systematically or analyzed dose–response relationships and the underlying mechanisms. This study aimed to expose the dose–response relationships by investigating the influence of exercise duration on subjective and objective arousal, cognitive attention and visual recognition memory tasks. Nineteen participants (eight female; 25.69 ± 3.11 years) were included in a randomized, three-armed intervention study in a cross-over design. The participants completed three different interventions consisting of either 15, 30 or 45 min of cycling at 60–70% VO₂max. Arousal and cognitive measurements were taken before and immediately after (<2 min) exercise. All three interventions led to significant but comparable effects on self-perceived arousal, heart rate (HR) and rating of perceived exertion (RPE) (p < 0.05). Analysis of variance (ANOVA) indicated significant effects of exercise duration on visual recognition memory accuracy. Reaction times for higher and lower cognitive tasks did not change after exercise. Fifteen minutes of aerobic exercise was feasible to induce beneficial changes in self-perceived arousal. Processing speed of visual recognition memory and attention remained unaltered. Exercise exceeding fifteen minutes seemed to negatively impact visual recognition memory accuracy. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Effects of Lifestyle Factors and Exercise on Brain Plasticity and Underlying Neurobiological Mechanisms)

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16 pages, 646 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Association of Sedentary Behavior with Brain Structure and Intelligence in Children with Overweight or Obesity: The ActiveBrains Project

by Juan Pablo Zavala-Crichton, Irene Esteban-Cornejo, Patricio Solis-Urra, José Mora-Gonzalez, Cristina Cadenas-Sanchez, María Rodriguez-Ayllon, Jairo H. Migueles, Pablo Molina-Garcia, Juan Verdejo-Roman, Arthur F. Kramer, Charles H. Hillman, Kirk I. Erickson, Andrés Catena and Francisco B. Ortega

J. Clin. Med. 2020, 9(4), 1101; https://doi.org/10.3390/jcm9041101 - 12 Apr 2020

Cited by 26 | Viewed by 5444

Abstract

We investigated the associations of different sedentary behaviors (SB) with gray matter volume and we tested whether SB related to gray matter volume is associated with intelligence. Methods: 99 children with overweight or obesity aged 8–11 years participated in this cross-sectional study. SB [...] Read more.

We investigated the associations of different sedentary behaviors (SB) with gray matter volume and we tested whether SB related to gray matter volume is associated with intelligence. Methods: 99 children with overweight or obesity aged 8–11 years participated in this cross-sectional study. SB was measured using the Youth Activity Profile-Spain questionnaire. T1-weighted images were acquired with a 3.0 T Magnetom Tim Trio system. Intelligence was assessed with the Kaufman Brief Test. Whole-brain voxel-wise multiple regression models were used to test the associations of each SB with gray matter volume. Results: Watching TV was associated with lower gray matter volume in six brain regions (β ranging −0.314 to −0.489 and cluster size 106 to 323 voxels; p < 0.001), playing video games in three brain regions (β ranging −0.391 to −0.359, and cluster size 96 to 461 voxels; p < 0.001) and total sedentary time in two brain regions (β ranging −0.341 to −0.352, and cluster size 897 to 2455 voxels; p < 0.001). No brain regions showed a significant positive association (all p > 0.05). Two brain regions were related, or borderline related, to intelligence. Conclusions: SB could have the potential to negatively influence brain structure and, in turn, intelligence in children with overweight/obesity. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Effects of Lifestyle Factors and Exercise on Brain Plasticity and Underlying Neurobiological Mechanisms)

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16 pages, 1384 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Associations of Objectively-Assessed Physical Activity and Sedentary Time with Hippocampal Gray Matter Volume in Children with Overweight/Obesity

by Jairo H. Migueles, Cristina Cadenas-Sanchez, Irene Esteban-Cornejo, Lucia V. Torres-Lopez, Eivind Aadland, Sébastien F. Chastin, Kirk I. Erickson, Andres Catena and Francisco B. Ortega

J. Clin. Med. 2020, 9(4), 1080; https://doi.org/10.3390/jcm9041080 - 10 Apr 2020

Cited by 21 | Viewed by 4478

Abstract

This study investigated physical activity (PA) and sedentary time (SED) in relation to hippocampal gray matter volume (GMV) in pediatric overweight/obesity. Ninety-three children (10 ± 1 year) were classified as overweight, obesity type I, or type II–III. PA was assessed with non-dominant wrist [...] Read more.

This study investigated physical activity (PA) and sedentary time (SED) in relation to hippocampal gray matter volume (GMV) in pediatric overweight/obesity. Ninety-three children (10 ± 1 year) were classified as overweight, obesity type I, or type II–III. PA was assessed with non-dominant wrist accelerometers. GMV was acquired by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Neither PA nor SED associated with GMV in the hippocampus in the whole sample (p > 0.05). However, we found some evidence of moderation by weight status (p < 0.150). Moderate-to-vigorous PA (MVPA) positively associated with GMV in the right hippocampus in obesity type I (B = 5.62, p = 0.017), which remained when considering SED, light PA, and sleep using compositional data (γ = 375.3, p = 0.04). Compositional models also depicted a negative association of SED relative to the remaining behaviors with GMV in the right hippocampus in overweight (γ = −1838.4, p = 0.038). Reallocating 20 min/day of SED to MVPA was associated with 100 mm³ GMV in the right hippocampus in obesity type I. Multivariate pattern analysis showed a negative-to-positive association pattern between PA of increasing intensity and GMV in the right hippocampus in obesity type II–III. Our findings support that reducing SED and increasing MVPA are associated with greater GMV in the right hippocampus in pediatric overweight/obesity. Further studies should corroborate our findings. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Effects of Lifestyle Factors and Exercise on Brain Plasticity and Underlying Neurobiological Mechanisms)

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11 pages, 251 KiB

Open AccessArticle

A Cross-Sectional Study Evaluating the Effects of Resistance Exercise on Inflammation and Neurotrophic Factors in Elderly Women with Obesity

by Hee-Tae Roh, Su-Youn Cho and Wi-Young So

J. Clin. Med. 2020, 9(3), 842; https://doi.org/10.3390/jcm9030842 - 20 Mar 2020

Cited by 32 | Viewed by 4601

Abstract

Purpose: Aging lowers brain functionality, and obesity accelerates this process. Resistance exercise can help reverse aging; however, studies examining how it affects brain function and body mass are limited. Thus, this study aimed to investigate the effect of resistance exercise on inflammation and [...] Read more.

Purpose: Aging lowers brain functionality, and obesity accelerates this process. Resistance exercise can help reverse aging; however, studies examining how it affects brain function and body mass are limited. Thus, this study aimed to investigate the effect of resistance exercise on inflammation and neurotrophic factors in elderly women with obesity. Methods: Twenty-six elderly women with obesity were selected for this study and randomly assigned into a control group (CG, n = 13) and an experimental group (EG, n = 13). The EG performed resistance training thrice weekly for 12 weeks using elastic bands, while the CG did not exercise. Serum lipid profile (total cholesterol (TC), triglyceride (TG), low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), high density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C)) and nuclear factor Kappa B (NF-κB), interferon-gamma (IFN-γ), brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), and eotaxin-1 levels were analyzed before and after the intervention. Body composition (soft lean mass (SLM), skeletal muscle mass (SMM), body fat mass (BFM), percent body fat (PBF), waist-hip-ratio (WHR), basal metabolic rates (BMR)) measurements and blood tests were performed. Results: Among the body composition variables, SLM, SMM, and BMR in the EG were significantly increased after intervention (p < 0.05). Serum lipid profile was not significantly different after intervention (p > 0.05). After intervention, the levels of NF-κB, IFN-γ, and eotaxin-1 were significantly lower and BDNF and VEGF were significantly higher in the EG than in the CG (p < 0.05 for all). Conclusions: These results imply that regular resistance training in elderly women with obesity can increase muscle mass, reduce inflammation, and stimulate neurotrophic factors. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Effects of Lifestyle Factors and Exercise on Brain Plasticity and Underlying Neurobiological Mechanisms)

13 pages, 745 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Exercise and Horticultural Programs for Older Adults with Depressive Symptoms and Memory Problems: A Randomized Controlled Trial

by Hyuma Makizako, Kota Tsutsumimoto, Takehiko Doi, Keitaro Makino, Sho Nakakubo, Teresa Liu-Ambrose and Hiroyuki Shimada

J. Clin. Med. 2020, 9(1), 99; https://doi.org/10.3390/jcm9010099 - 30 Dec 2019

Cited by 33 | Viewed by 6435

Abstract

Depressive symptoms and memory problems are risk factors for dementia. Exercise can reduce these in older people, and horticultural activity can benefit people with dementia. This study assessed the efficacy of exercise and horticultural interventions for community-dwelling older adults with depressive symptoms and [...] Read more.

Depressive symptoms and memory problems are risk factors for dementia. Exercise can reduce these in older people, and horticultural activity can benefit people with dementia. This study assessed the efficacy of exercise and horticultural interventions for community-dwelling older adults with depressive symptoms and mild memory decline. In this randomized controlled trial, older adults (n = 89) were assigned to exercise, horticultural, or control groups. Exercise and horticultural programs included 20 weekly 90-min sessions. The control group attended two 90-min classes. Outcomes were assessed at baseline, and then 6- and 12-months post-intervention. Primary outcome measures were the Geriatric Depression Scale-15 (GDS-15) and Wechsler Memory Scale-Revised. Walking speed, two-minute walking test scores, social network, life space, and subjective daily physical activity were secondary outcome measures. Compared with the control group, the exercise group obtained higher immediate and delayed recall logical memory scores, and the increase in immediate recall scores remained 12-months post-intervention. Two-minute walking performance improved in the exercise group, but not after 12 months. GDS-15 scores showed no significant improvements. The horticultural and control groups showed no differences. Exercise may improve memory, while horticultural activity may not. The effects of exercise and horticultural interventions on depressive symptoms remain unclear. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Effects of Lifestyle Factors and Exercise on Brain Plasticity and Underlying Neurobiological Mechanisms)

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14 pages, 1349 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Decision-Making Deficits in Elderly Can Be Alleviated by Attention Training

by Marlen Schmicker, Inga Menze, David Koch, Ulrike Rumpf, Patrick Müller, Lasse Pelzer and Notger G. Müller

J. Clin. Med. 2019, 8(8), 1131; https://doi.org/10.3390/jcm8081131 - 30 Jul 2019

Cited by 4 | Viewed by 3730

Abstract

Decision-making is an important everyday function that deteriorates during normal aging. Here, we asked whether value-based decision-making can be improved in the elderly by cognitive training. We compared the effects of two training regimens on the performance in the Iowa Gambling Task (IGT), [...] Read more.

Decision-making is an important everyday function that deteriorates during normal aging. Here, we asked whether value-based decision-making can be improved in the elderly by cognitive training. We compared the effects of two training regimens on the performance in the Iowa Gambling Task (IGT), a real-life decision-making simulation task. Elderly participants (age 62–75 years) were randomized into three matched groups. The filter training (FT) group performed a selective attention task and the memory training (MT) group performed a memory storage task on five consecutive days. The control group (CG) did not perform another task besides the IGT. Only the FT group showed an improvement in IGT performance over the five days—the overall gain rose and the prominent deck B phenomenon decreased. The latter refers to the selection of cards associated with high gains and rare losses, which are nevertheless a disadvantageous choice as the frequent losses lead to a negative net outcome. As the deck B phenomenon has been associated with impaired cognitive abilities in aging, the positive effect of FT here is of special importance. In sum, attention training seems superior in improving decision-making in the elderly. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Effects of Lifestyle Factors and Exercise on Brain Plasticity and Underlying Neurobiological Mechanisms)

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14 pages, 2428 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Inter-Individual Differences in Cognitive Response to a Single Bout of Physical Exercise—A Randomized Controlled Cross-Over Study

by Svenja Schwarck, Marlen Schmicker, Milos Dordevic, Kathrin Rehfeld, Notger Müller and Patrick Müller

J. Clin. Med. 2019, 8(8), 1101; https://doi.org/10.3390/jcm8081101 - 25 Jul 2019

Cited by 24 | Viewed by 4671

Abstract

Recent reviews have shown that acute exercise can improve cognitive functions, especially executive functions. However, a closer look at the included studies revealed a wide inter-individual variability in the effects of exercise on cognition. Therefore, thirty-nine healthy adults (age: 19–30 years) were analyzed [...] Read more.

Recent reviews have shown that acute exercise can improve cognitive functions, especially executive functions. However, a closer look at the included studies revealed a wide inter-individual variability in the effects of exercise on cognition. Therefore, thirty-nine healthy adults (age: 19–30 years) were analyzed in a randomized, controlled cross-over study with two exercise groups (n = 13 each) and a sedentary control group (n = 13). The exercise conditions included moderate (30 min at 40–59% VO_2max) and high intensity interval (five × 2 min at 90% VO_2max with 3 min active recovery at 40% VO_2max) treadmill exercise. The main outcome assessed was cognitive performance (attention, inhibitory control, cognitive flexibility) and underlying inter-individual variability in young adults. On the group level no significant group or group × time interaction effects were observed. Using a median split, we found significant differences between low and high cognitive performers regarding cognitive function following moderate and high intensity interval treadmill exercise. Furthermore, using a pre-determined threshold we could identify responders and non-responders to acute exercise. Therefore, future research should consider individual performance requirements. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Effects of Lifestyle Factors and Exercise on Brain Plasticity and Underlying Neurobiological Mechanisms)

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Review

Jump to: Research

16 pages, 371 KiB

Open AccessReview

Behavioral and Neurophysiological Aspects of Inhibition—The Effects of Acute Cardiovascular Exercise

by Oron Levin, Yael Netz and Gal Ziv

J. Clin. Med. 2021, 10(2), 282; https://doi.org/10.3390/jcm10020282 - 14 Jan 2021

Cited by 16 | Viewed by 3041

Abstract

This review summarizes behavioral and neurophysiological aspects of inhibitory control affected by a single bout of cardiovascular exercise. The review also examines the effect of a single bout of cardiovascular exercise on these processes in young adults with a focus on the functioning [...] Read more.

This review summarizes behavioral and neurophysiological aspects of inhibitory control affected by a single bout of cardiovascular exercise. The review also examines the effect of a single bout of cardiovascular exercise on these processes in young adults with a focus on the functioning of prefrontal pathways (including the left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC) and elements of the prefrontal-basal ganglia pathways). Finally, the review offers an overview on the potential effects of cardiovascular exercise on GABA-ergic and glutamatergic neurotransmission in the adult brain and propose mechanisms or processes that may mediate these effects. The main findings show that a single bout of cardiovascular exercise can enhance inhibitory control. In addition, acute exercise appears to facilitate activation of prefrontal brain regions that regulate excitatory and inhibitory pathways (specifically but not exclusively the prefrontal-basal-ganglia pathways) which appear to be impaired in older age. Based on the reviewed studies, we suggest that future work examine the beneficial effects of exercise on the inhibitory networks in the aging brain. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Effects of Lifestyle Factors and Exercise on Brain Plasticity and Underlying Neurobiological Mechanisms)

24 pages, 711 KiB

Open AccessReview

(Neuro) Peptides, Physical Activity, and Cognition

by Juho Autio, Ville Stenbäck, Dominique D. Gagnon, Juhani Leppäluoto and Karl-Heinz Herzig

J. Clin. Med. 2020, 9(8), 2592; https://doi.org/10.3390/jcm9082592 - 10 Aug 2020

Cited by 14 | Viewed by 5051

Abstract

Regular physical activity (PA) improves cognitive functions, prevents brain atrophy, and delays the onset of cognitive decline, dementia, and Alzheimer’s disease. Presently, there are no specific recommendations for PA producing positive effects on brain health and little is known on its mediators. PA [...] Read more.

Regular physical activity (PA) improves cognitive functions, prevents brain atrophy, and delays the onset of cognitive decline, dementia, and Alzheimer’s disease. Presently, there are no specific recommendations for PA producing positive effects on brain health and little is known on its mediators. PA affects production and release of several peptides secreted from peripheral and central tissues, targeting receptors located in the central nervous system (CNS). This review will provide a summary of the current knowledge on the association between PA and cognition with a focus on the role of (neuro)peptides. For the review we define peptides as molecules with less than 100 amino acids and exclude myokines. Tachykinins, somatostatin, and opioid peptides were excluded from this review since they were not affected by PA. There is evidence suggesting that PA increases peripheral insulin growth factor 1 (IGF-1) levels and elevated serum IGF-1 levels are associated with improved cognitive performance. It is therefore likely that IGF-1 plays a role in PA induced improvement of cognition. Other neuropeptides such as neuropeptide Y (NPY), ghrelin, galanin, and vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP) could mediate the beneficial effects of PA on cognition, but the current literature regarding these (neuro)peptides is limited. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Effects of Lifestyle Factors and Exercise on Brain Plasticity and Underlying Neurobiological Mechanisms)

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25 pages, 4690 KiB

Open AccessReview

Effects of Polyphenol-Rich Interventions on Cognition and Brain Health in Healthy Young and Middle-Aged Adults: Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

by Achraf Ammar, Khaled Trabelsi, Omar Boukhris, Bassem Bouaziz, Patrick Müller, Jordan M Glenn, Nicholas T. Bott, Notger Müller, Hamdi Chtourou, Tarak Driss and Anita Hökelmann

J. Clin. Med. 2020, 9(5), 1598; https://doi.org/10.3390/jcm9051598 - 25 May 2020

Cited by 40 | Viewed by 8105

Abstract

Context: Affecting older and even some younger adults, neurodegenerative disease represents a global public health concern and has been identified as a research priority. To date, most anti-aging interventions have examined older adults, but little is known about the effects of polyphenol interventions [...] Read more.

Context: Affecting older and even some younger adults, neurodegenerative disease represents a global public health concern and has been identified as a research priority. To date, most anti-aging interventions have examined older adults, but little is known about the effects of polyphenol interventions on brain-related aging processes in healthy young and middle-aged adults. Objective: This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to evaluate the acute and chronic effects of (poly)phenol-rich diet supplementation on cognitive function and brain health in young and middle-aged adults. In July 2019, two electronic databases (PubMed and Web of Science) were used to search for relevant trials examining the effect of acute or chronic (poly)phenol-rich supplementation on cognitive function and neuroprotective measures in young and middle-aged adults (<60 years old). A total of 4303 records were screened by two researchers using the PICOS criteria. Fifteen high quality (mean PEDro score = 8.8 ± 0.58) trials with 401 total participants were included in the final analyses. Information on treatment, study design, characteristics of participants, outcomes and used tools were extracted following PRISMA guidelines. When items were shown to be sufficiently comparable, a random-effects meta-analysis was used to pool estimates across studies. Effect size (ES) and its 95% confidence interval (CI) was calculated. The meta-analysis indicated that (poly)phenol supplementation significantly increased brain-derived neurotrophic factor (ES = 3.259, p = 0.033), which was accompanied by higher performance in serial (7s) subtraction (ES = 1.467, p = 0.001) and decreases in simple reaction time (ES = −0.926, p = 0.015) and mental fatigue (ES = −3.521, p = 0.010). Data related to cognitive function were skewed towards an effect from acute compared to chronic polyphenol intervention; data related to BDNF were skewed toward an effect from higher bioavailability phenolic components. Conclusion: This meta-analysis provides promising findings regarding the usefulness of polyphenol-rich intervention as an inexpensive approach for enhancing circulation of pro-cognitive neurotrophic factors. These beneficial effects appear to depend on the supplementation protocols. An early acute and/or chronic application of low- to high-dose phenolic components with high bioavailability rates (≥30%) at a younger age appear to provide more promising effects. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Effects of Lifestyle Factors and Exercise on Brain Plasticity and Underlying Neurobiological Mechanisms)

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15 pages, 754 KiB

Open AccessReview

Lactate and BDNF: Key Mediators of Exercise Induced Neuroplasticity?

by Patrick Müller, Yves Duderstadt, Volkmar Lessmann and Notger G. Müller

J. Clin. Med. 2020, 9(4), 1136; https://doi.org/10.3390/jcm9041136 - 15 Apr 2020

Cited by 107 | Viewed by 11385

Abstract

Accumulating evidence from animal and human studies supports the notion that physical exercise can enhance neuroplasticity and thus reduce the risk of several neurodegenerative diseases (e.g., dementia). However, the underlying neurobiological mechanisms of exercise induced neuroplasticity are still largely unknown. One potential mediator [...] Read more.

Accumulating evidence from animal and human studies supports the notion that physical exercise can enhance neuroplasticity and thus reduce the risk of several neurodegenerative diseases (e.g., dementia). However, the underlying neurobiological mechanisms of exercise induced neuroplasticity are still largely unknown. One potential mediator of exercise effects is the neurotrophin BDNF, which enhances neuroplasticity via different pathways (e.g., synaptogenesis, neurogenesis, long-term potentiation). Current research has shown that (i) increased peripheral lactate levels (following high intensity exercise) are associated with increased peripheral BDNF levels, (ii) lactate infusion at rest can increase peripheral and central BDNF levels and (iii) lactate plays a very complex role in the brain’s metabolism. In this review, we summarize the role and relationship of lactate and BDNF in exercise induced neuroplasticity. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Effects of Lifestyle Factors and Exercise on Brain Plasticity and Underlying Neurobiological Mechanisms)

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23 pages, 1141 KiB

Open AccessReview

The Effect of Exercise Training on Brain Structure and Function in Older Adults: A Systematic Review Based on Evidence from Randomized Control Trials

by Feng-Tzu Chen, Rachel J. Hopman, Chung-Ju Huang, Chien-Heng Chu, Charles H. Hillman, Tsung-Min Hung and Yu-Kai Chang

J. Clin. Med. 2020, 9(4), 914; https://doi.org/10.3390/jcm9040914 - 27 Mar 2020

Cited by 61 | Viewed by 7839

Abstract

Accumulating evidence suggests that exercise training is associated with improvements in brain health in older adults, yet the extant literature is insufficient in detailing why exercise training facilitates brain structure and function. Specifically, few studies have employed the FITT-VP principle (i.e., Frequency, Intensity, [...] Read more.

Accumulating evidence suggests that exercise training is associated with improvements in brain health in older adults, yet the extant literature is insufficient in detailing why exercise training facilitates brain structure and function. Specifically, few studies have employed the FITT-VP principle (i.e., Frequency, Intensity, Time, Type, Volume, and Progression) to characterize the exercise exposure, thus research is yet to specify which characteristics of exercise training benefit brain outcomes. To determine whether exercise training is consequential to cognitive and brain outcomes, we conducted a systematic review investigating the effects of exercise training on brain structure and function in older adults. PubMed and Scopus were searched from inception to February 2020, and study quality was assessed using the Cochrane risk-of-bias tool. A total of 24 randomized controlled trials were included. This systematic review indicates that older adults involved in exercise training may derive general benefits to brain health, as reflected by intervention-induced changes in brain structure and function. However, such benefits are dependent upon the dose of the exercise intervention. Importantly, current evidence remains limited for applied exercise prescriptions (e.g., volume, progression) and future research is needed to clarify the effects of exercise training on cognitive and brain outcomes in older adults. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Effects of Lifestyle Factors and Exercise on Brain Plasticity and Underlying Neurobiological Mechanisms)

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25 pages, 3808 KiB

Open AccessReview

The Effect of (Poly)phenol-Rich Interventions on Cognitive Functions and Neuroprotective Measures in Healthy Aging Adults: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

by Achraf Ammar, Khaled Trabelsi, Patrick Müller, Bassem Bouaziz, Omar Boukhris, Jordan M Glenn, Nick Bott, Tarak Driss, Hamdi Chtourou, Notger Müller and Anita Hökelmann

J. Clin. Med. 2020, 9(3), 835; https://doi.org/10.3390/jcm9030835 - 19 Mar 2020

Cited by 29 | Viewed by 5549

Abstract

Context: As the food industry is continually involved in the development of new attractive alternative therapeutic agents, the evaluation of the beneficial impact of (poly)phenols on cognitive and brain function during aging has gained increasing interest. Objective: This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed [...] Read more.

Context: As the food industry is continually involved in the development of new attractive alternative therapeutic agents, the evaluation of the beneficial impact of (poly)phenols on cognitive and brain function during aging has gained increasing interest. Objective: This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to evaluate the acute and chronic effects of (poly)phenol-rich diet supplementation on cognitive function and brain health in aging adults. Data Sources: PubMed and Web of Science databases were searched for relevant randomized placebo-controlled trials (RCTs) published from inception to July 2019. Study Selection: Two researchers independently screened 4303 records, using the PICOS criteria: Participants were aging adults; Intervention was based on acute and/or chronic (poly)phenols-rich supplementation; Comparator was any comparator; Outcomes included cognitive function and neuroprotective measures; and Study design was RCTs. A third researcher was consulted when discrepancies arose. Fifteen high-quality (mean PEDro score = 8.8 ± 0.56) RCTs (total participants: 918 healthy older adults) were included in the final sample. Data Extraction: Information on study design, employed treatment, characteristics of participants, outcomes, and the correspondent assessing methods were extracted. Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines were followed. Data Analysis and Results: A random-effects meta-analysis was used to pool estimates across studies. Effect size (ES) and its 95% confidence interval (CI) was calculated. Pooled results yielded a trivial ES (−0.2 to 0.03) for brain-derived neurotrophic factor and neuroinflammatory parameters and small (0.36) to moderate (0.82) ES for executive functions. Conclusion: This meta-analysis failed to provide evidence regarding the neuroprotective and anti-inflammatory effect of (poly)phenols supplementation in aging adults. However, findings from individual studies, included in this systematic review, suggest polyphenol-rich supplementation may improve some cognitive and brain functions in older adults. The beneficial effect of polyphenols seems to depend on ingested dose and bioavailability. Results suggest at least an intermediate dose (≥500 mg), and intermediate (≈9%) to high (43%) bioavailability rates are needed to cross the brain blood barrier and to exert a significant effect on cognitive health. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Effects of Lifestyle Factors and Exercise on Brain Plasticity and Underlying Neurobiological Mechanisms)

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