Acute and chronic effects of exercise-cognition interactions on neuroplasticity

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Canada’s growing aging population is accelerating the need for interventions that reduce the risk of age-related cognitive decline that compromises functional independence. Exercise and cognitive training programs show promise as economical and practical interventions for healthy aging; however, these programs need to be grounded in a comprehensive understanding of the factors regulating brain function. The goal of the proposed research is to discover the neural mechanisms underlying exercise-cognition interactions, which in turn will inform effective implementation of exercise and cognitive training programs as a therapeutic tool for optimal brain function. Exercise and cognitive training represent different types of stress challenge (physical vs. psychological) that produce similar physiological responses affecting common brain regions. The proposed research will test the hypothesis that exercise and cognitive training induce neuroplasticity that responds to the effects of the stressors to maintain homeostasis. Critically, adapted brain regions impacted by the stress response also support learning and memory and this may be a critical way through which these training programs impact cognition. Indeed, an acute bout of exercise stress improves learning and memory. Our research will be the first to track how the brain adapts to chronic exercise and cognitive training and whether these adaptations are reversed when training stops. We will also examine whether there are synergistic benefits of combining exercise with cognitive training through common underlying mechanisms. These key goals will be examined using a unique multilevel approach to determine neuroplasticity and how functional changes in large-scale brain networks impact molecular changes in the growth factors that directly support neuronal function and survival. Although there is great interest in promoting exercise and cognitive training for brain function, a clear understanding of the underlying mechanisms will elevate these programs to evidence-based practice. In the near future, our understanding of how exercise-cognition interactions impact the brain will lead to effective prescriptions of exercise for optimal brain function to help Canada’s growing aging population maintain physical and mental fitness across the lifespan.