Romain Meeusen PhD D e p t . H u m a n P h y s i o l o g y V r i j e U n i v e r s i t e i t B r u s s e l

S c h o o l O f P u b l i c H e a l t h , T r o p i c a l M e d i c i n e & R e h a b i l i t a t i o n S c i e n c e s , J a m e s C o o k U n i v e r s i t y ,

Q u e e n s l a n d , A u s t r a l i a

�  RCT : 1 yr physical activity or stretching �  2 x 60 subjects �  Mean age 65.6 – 67.5yr �  40 min of walking 2-3/Wk or stretching è measuring Brain volume (MRI)

Erickson et al 2011

Hippocampus remains plastic in late adulthood

Erickson et al 2011

Aerobic Fitness è Positive relation

with academic performance

BMI è Negative relation Relevant neural networks è Prefrontal Cortex è Parietal/Posterior

Cingulate Cortex Hillman et al 2008

Associated with aerobic fitness

Chaddock et al 2010

Hillman et al, 2014

�  N= 221 �  7-9yr �  9 month intervertion RCT (waiting list) �  Measuring Brain Activity - ERP �  Accuracy & reaction time (executive control)

Hillman et al, 2014

�  Fitness ↑ �  Cognitive tests ↑ �  Attention ↑ �  Cognitive flexibility ↑

�  P3 amplitude ↑ for conditions that require great amount of executive control

�  Flexibility of Brain Functions

What are the mechanisms ? Animal & Human studies

�

Neurogenesis = production of new nerve cells è Important during development ?

Is the most abundant neurotrophin in the brain ègrowth factor within the brain It enhances the growth and maintenance of several neural

systems Serves as a neurotransmitter modulator Participates in use-dependent plasticity mechanisms BDNF expression is diminished in Alzheimer’s disease

Enhances the survival of ‘newborn’ neurons = cell proliferation

Or in neurogenesis (4 weeks old cells) One day 4 weeks

60 min @ 55%Wattmax + TT @ 75% Wattmax

0

40

80

120

160

Rest 60min at 55% TT at 75% Recovery

Serum BDNF (% increase)

**

§

Goekint et al 2008, 2011, Bos et al 2013, 2014

�  Depends on the exercise intensity & duration �  Exercise increases peripheral BDNF �  Dose response to intensity

Torbeyns, Meeusen et al 2014, 2015

� Exercise is good for the Brain � BDNF : most abundant neurotrophin in the

brain � Acute exercise :

¡  Dose response increase � Training : brain changes, learning & memory