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Review
. 2024 Nov 9;25(22):12043.
doi: 10.3390/ijms252212043.

Train and Reprogram Your Brain: Effects of Physical Exercise at Different Stages of Life on Brain Functions Saved in Epigenetic Modifications

Affiliations
Review

Train and Reprogram Your Brain: Effects of Physical Exercise at Different Stages of Life on Brain Functions Saved in Epigenetic Modifications

Magdalena Kukla-Bartoszek et al. Int J Mol Sci. .

Abstract

Multiple studies have demonstrated the significant effects of physical exercise on brain plasticity, the enhancement of memory and cognition, and mood improvement. Although the beneficial impact of exercise on brain functions and mental health is well established, the exact mechanisms underlying this phenomenon are currently under thorough investigation. Several hypotheses have emerged suggesting various possible mechanisms, including the effects of hormones, neurotrophins, neurotransmitters, and more recently also other compounds such as lactate or irisin, which are released under the exercise circumstances and act both locally or/and on distant tissues, triggering systemic body reactions. Nevertheless, none of these actually explain the long-lasting effect of exercise, which can persist for years or even be passed on to subsequent generations. It is believed that these long-lasting effects are mediated through epigenetic modifications, influencing the expression of particular genes and the translation and modification of specific proteins. This review explores the impact of regular physical exercise on brain function and brain plasticity and the associated occurrence of epigenetic modifications. It examines how these changes contribute to the prevention and treatment of neuropsychiatric and neurological disorders, as well as their influence on the natural aging process and mental health.

Keywords: brain; epigenetics; physical exercise.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare no conflict of interest. The funders had no role in the design of the study; in the collection, analyses, or interpretation of data; in the writing of the manuscript; or in the decision to publish the results.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
The overview of the main epigenetic modifications impacting gene expression: DNA methylation (A); histone modifications (B); non-coding RNAs (C); Me—methylation, Ac—acetylation, P—phosphorylation.
Figure 2
Figure 2
Physical exercise triggers a release of exerkines into the bloodstream from different body tissues during and right after the activity, such as RNAs, metabolites, cytokines, and growth factors. They can cross the blood–brain barrier and exert direct effects on the brain. The figure was generated using Servier Medical Art (Servier; https://smart.servier.com/; access date: 8 October 2024), licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 Unported License.

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