Physical activity has been reported to improve cognitive function in humans and rodents,
possibly via a brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF)-regulated mechanism. In this
study of human subjects, we have assessed the effects of acute and chronic exercise
on performance of a face-name matching task, which recruits the hippocampus and associated
structures of the medial temporal lobe, and the Stroop word-colour task, which does
not, and have assessed circulating concentrations of BDNF and IGF-1 in parallel. The
results show that a short period of high-intensity cycling results in enhancements
in performance of the face-name matching, but not the Stroop, task. These changes
in cognitive function were paralleled by increased concentration of BDNF, but not
IGF-1, in the serum of exercising subjects. 3 weeks of cycling training had no effect
on cardiovascular fitness, as assessed by VO2 scores, cognitive function, or serum
BDNF concentration. Increases in fitness, cognitive function and serum BDNF response
to acute exercise were observed following 5 weeks of aerobic training. These data
indicate that both acute and chronic exercise improve medial temporal lobe function
concomitant with increased concentrations of BDNF in the serum, suggesting a possible
functional role for this neurotrophic factor in exercise-induced cognitive enhancement
in humans.
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