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| June 2007 |
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| By Miriam E Nelson, PhD Reprinted with permission from Strongwomen Newsletter, Issue 103, April 2007. For more articles from Dr. Nelson, please visit her website at www.strongwomen.com. Columbia University scientists placed eleven sedentary adults (two men and nine women, ages 21-45) in a three-month aerobic exercise program. The subjects exercised for one hour, four times per week. As expected, the participants had remarkable improvements in fitness over the course of the study. The results also showed that blood volume in the hippocampus region of the brain increased. Blood volume is a marker of neurogenesis, or production of new brain cells. The hippocampus is the region of the brain that is primarily responsible for executive functioning activities such as problem solving, decision-making, memory and multitasking. It is also the part of the brain that is particularly vulnerable to the aging process. Cognitive function as assessed by questionnaire also improved in the subjects. The neurogenesis and the improvements in cognitive function were correlated with the improvements in aerobic fitness. We have known for several years that physically active individuals have a reduced risk of cognitive impairment as they age. This study shows us that neurogenesis-the production of new brain cells with exercise-may be responsible for some of these improvements. Perhaps I am so interested in this study because memory, decision-making and problem solving are all brain functions that I want to maintain as I grow older! Reference Pereira AC and colleagues. An in vivo correlate of exercise-induced neurogenesis in the adult dentate gyrus. Proceeds of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America. Published online Mar 20, 2007. Posted by Jeff Biehl, Fitness Director Memorial Athletic Club |