ReviewThe Journal of physiology2016
Promoting brain health through exercise and diet in older adults: a physiological perspective.
Review in The Journal of physiology, 2016. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 48 papers, 2 of them syntheses that pooled it.
What it found
Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.
The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.
The trial behind it
Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.
Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.
Who cites it
48 citing papers in PubMed, 2 syntheses or guidelines pooled it, 113 citations in OpenAlex.
- Impact of Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy on Cognitive Functions: a Systematic Review.Neuropsychology review · 2022Pooled it
- The neighbourhood physical environment and active travel in older adults: a systematic review and meta-analysis.The international journal of behavioral nutrition and physical activity · 2017Pooled it
- Curcumin Protects SDH2 Mutant from Oxidative Stress and Improves Mitochondrial Function: Application Potential for Complex II Deficiency.International journal of molecular sciences · 2026Article
- Protecting the aging mind: how cognitive reserve and lifestyle factors relate to executive functions and long-term memory.Aging clinical and experimental research · 2026Article
- Associations between Diet Quality and Global Cognitive Ability across the Life Course: Longitudinal Analysis of the 1946 British Birth Cohort.Current developments in nutrition · 2026Article
- Glycine and N-acetylcysteine supplementation, with or without exercise, in brain health and functional aging: implications for sarcopenia and frailty in older adults.Frontiers in nutrition · 2026Review
- Can aerobic exercise really improve factors related to decision-making capacity in aging? What has been measured, what has been assumed, and what needs to change.Frontiers in sports and active living · 2026Review
- Move to Remember: The Role of Physical Activity and Exercise in Preserving and Enhancing Cognitive Function in Aging-A Narrative Review.Geriatrics (Basel, Switzerland) · 2025Review
- Environmental enrichment: a neurostimulatory approach to aging and ischemic stroke recovery and rehabilitation.Biogerontology · 2025Review
- Neuro-Nutrition and Exercise Synergy: Exploring the Bioengineering of Cognitive Enhancement and Mental Health Optimization.Bioengineering (Basel, Switzerland) · 2025Review
- The influence of cardiovascular fitness and ventilatory efficiency on fMRI assessed cerebrovascular reactivity in older adults.Frontiers in physiology · 2025Article
- Associations of physical activity type, intensity, and frequency with subclinical hypothyroidism: a cross-sectional analysis of NHANES 2007-2012.Frontiers in public health · 2025Article
- From hypoxic pockets to daily routines: linking brain oxygenation and cognitive resilience.Frontiers in aging neuroscience · 2025Review
- Article
- Disentangling neuroplasticity mechanisms in post-stroke language recovery.Brain and language · 2024Review
- A qualitative study of active travel amongst commuters and older adults living in market towns.BMC public health · 2023Article
- Barriers to home exercise for patients with Parkinson's disease: a qualitative study.BMJ open · 2023Article
- A host-gut microbial amino acid co-metabolite,Tissue barriers · 2023Article
- Dental Students' Positive and Negative Views on Aging at an Undergraduate Course at the University of British Columbia, Canada.International journal of dentistry · 2023Article
- Combined Motor and Cognitive Rehabilitation: The Impact on Motor Performance in Patients with Mild Cognitive Impairment. Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.Journal of personalized medicine · 2022Review
Corrections and comments
PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.
Authors and funding
7 authors at 6 institutions in 4 countries.
Funding
Abstract
The rise in incidence of age-related cognitive impairment is a global health concern. Ageing is associated with a number of changes in the brain that, collectively, contribute to the declines in cognitive function observed in older adults. Structurally, the ageing brain atrophies as white and grey matter volumes decrease. Oxidative stress and inflammation promote endothelial dysfunction thereby hampering cerebral perfusion and thus delivery of energy substrates and nutrients. Further, the development of amyloid plaques and neurofibrillary tangles contributes to neuronal loss. Of interest, there are substantial inter-individual differences in the degree to which these physical and functional changes impact upon cognitive function as we grow older. This review describes how engaging in physical activity and cognitive activities and adhering to a Mediterranean style diet promote 'brain health'. From a physiological perspective, we discuss the effects of these modifiable lifestyle behaviours on the brain, and how some recent human trials are beginning to show some promise as to the effectiveness of lifestyle behaviours in combating cognitive impairment. Moreover, we propose that these lifestyle behaviours, through numerous mechanisms, serve to increase brain, cerebrovascular and cognitive reserve, thereby preserving and enhancing cognitive function for longer.
Indexed as
Identifiers
What OpenQuestion holds
Registered trials
Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.