A Deconstructive Approach to Hippocampal Neurogenesis as a Function of Aerobic Exercise

Abstract

Aerobic exercise, specifically running, leads to neural benefits in rodents and humans. In this review, a deconstructive approach is taken to understand the neural benefits of aerobic exercise in terms of cognition, hippocampal size, brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), and hippocampal neurogenesis. These four benefits were positively impacted as a result of running in rodents and the same was seen in humans except for with hippocampal neurogenesis. Human hippocampal neurogenesis has been demonstrated to continue throughout the lifespan but there was not evidence for it as a result of running. Therefore, future directions address potential ways to study hippocampal neurogenesis in humans in relation to aerobic exercise. The future directions also discuss potential dosage curves in regards to intensity, duration, and frequency of aerobic exercise on cognition, hippocampal size, and BDNF.