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Potential Moderators of Physical Activity on Brain Health

Leckie, Regina L. and Weinstein, Andrea M. and Hodzic, Jennifer C. and Erickson, Kirk I. (2012) Potential Moderators of Physical Activity on Brain Health. Journal of Aging Research, 2012. pp. 1-14. ISSN 2090-2204

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Abstract

Age-related cognitive decline is linked to numerous molecular, structural, and functional changes in the brain. However, physical activity is a promising method of reducing unfavorable age-related changes. Physical activity exerts its effects on the brain through many molecular pathways, some of which are regulated by genetic variants in humans. In this paper, we highlight genes including apolipoprotein E (APOE), brain derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), and catechol-O-methyltransferase (COMT) along with dietary omega-3 fatty acid, docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), as potential moderators of the effect of physical activity on brain health. There are a growing number of studies indicating that physical activity might mitigate the genetic risks for disease and brain dysfunction and that the combination of greater amounts of DHA intake with physical activity might promote better brain function than either treatment alone. Understanding whether genes or other lifestyles moderate the effects of physical activity on neurocognitive health is necessary for delineating the pathways by which brain health can be enhanced and for grasping the individual variation in the effectiveness of physical activity interventions on the brain and cognition. There is a need for future research to continue to assess the factors that moderate the effects of physical activity on neurocognitive function.


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Details

Item Type: Article
Status: Published
Creators/Authors:
CreatorsEmailPitt UsernameORCID
Leckie, Regina L.rlc66@pitt.edu
Weinstein, Andrea M.amw140@pitt.edu
Hodzic, Jennifer C.
Erickson, Kirk I.kiericks@pitt.edu
Date: 2012
Date Type: Publication
Journal or Publication Title: Journal of Aging Research
Volume: 2012
Publisher: Hindawi Limited
Page Range: pp. 1-14
DOI or Unique Handle: 10.1155/2012/948981
Schools and Programs: Dietrich School of Arts and Sciences > Psychology
Refereed: Yes
ISSN: 2090-2204
Official URL: https://www.hindawi.com/journals/jar/2012/948981/
Article Type: Review
Date Deposited: 04 May 2020 17:29
Last Modified: 04 May 2020 17:29
URI: http://d-scholarship.pitt.edu/id/eprint/38871

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