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Physical exercise, neuroplasticity, spatial learning and memory

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Abstract

There has long been discussion regarding the positive effects of physical exercise on brain activity. However, physical exercise has only recently begun to receive the attention of the scientific community, with major interest in its effects on the cognitive functions, spatial learning and memory, as a non-drug method of maintaining brain health and treating neurodegenerative and/or psychiatric conditions. In humans, several studies have shown the beneficial effects of aerobic and resistance exercises in adult and geriatric populations. More recently, studies employing animal models have attempted to elucidate the mechanisms underlying neuroplasticity related to physical exercise-induced spatial learning and memory improvement, even under neurodegenerative conditions. In an attempt to clarify these issues, the present review aims to discuss the role of physical exercise in the improvement of spatial learning and memory and the cellular and molecular mechanisms involved in neuroplasticity.

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Acknowledgments

We apologize for not reviewing numerous pertinent articles because of space limitations. The authors would like to thanks the São Paulo Research Foundation (FAPESP) (post-doctoral grant Dr. Ricardo C. Cassilhas – number 2013/05018-5). For the academic and financial support, the authors are grateful to Department of Physical Education – Universidade Federal dos Vales do Jequitinhonha e Mucuri (UVFJM), School of Physical Education, Physiotherapy and Occupational Therapy (EEFFTO) – Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais (UFMG), Department of Psychobiology – Universidade Federal de São Paulo (UNIFESP) and National Council for Scientific and Technological Development (CNPq) (Grant number 478229/2013-5 – chamada Universal).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Physical Education, Universidade Federal dos Vales do Jequitinhonha e Mucuri (UFVJM), Diamantina, MG, Brazil

    Ricardo C. Cassilhas

  2. Department of Psychobiology, Universidade Federal de São Paulo (UNIFESP), São Paulo, SP, Brazil

    Ricardo C. Cassilhas & Sergio Tufik

  3. School of Physical Education, Physiotherapy and Occupational Therapy (EEFFTO), Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais (UFMG), Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil

    Marco Túlio de Mello

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  1. Ricardo C. Cassilhas
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  2. Sergio Tufik
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  3. Marco Túlio de Mello
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Correspondence to Marco Túlio de Mello.

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Cassilhas, R.C., Tufik, S. & de Mello, M.T. Physical exercise, neuroplasticity, spatial learning and memory. Cell. Mol. Life Sci. 73, 975–983 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00018-015-2102-0

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00018-015-2102-0

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