ReviewMolecular neurobiology2023
Exercise Reshapes the Brain: Molecular, Cellular, and Structural Changes Associated with Cognitive Improvements.
Review in Molecular neurobiology, 2023. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 48 papers, 3 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, 3 syntheses or guidelines pooled it, 71 citations in OpenAlex.
- Impact of Structured Physical Exercise Programs (SPEs) on Symptoms and Clinical Outcomes in Schizophrenia: A Systematic Review With Qualitative Synthesis of Randomized Controlled Trials (2015-2025).Actas espanolas de psiquiatria · 2026Pooled it
- Optimal physical activity type and dosage for improving inhibitory control in children and adolescents: a dose-response network meta-analysis.Frontiers in psychology · 2026Pooled it
- Effectiveness of exercise interventions, alone or in combination with dietary modifications, on working memory in overweight and obese individuals: A systematic review.European journal of sport science · 2024Pooled it
- Multi-omics uncovers immune-modulatory molecules in plasma contributing to resistance exercise-ameliorated locomotor disability after incomplete spinal cord injury.Genome medicine · 2025Trial
- Common and distinct plasma proteomic signature of aerobic and motor physical activity interventions and their link to episodic memory.GeroScience · 2026Article
- Exercise-Induced Activation of IGF-1/mTOR Signaling and Hippocampal BDNF/PGC-1α Expression Reverses Age-Related Motor Decline.International neurourology journal · 2026Article
- Physical Activity and Purkinje Cells: Mechanisms of Cerebellar Plasticity and Neuroprotection.Journal of functional morphology and kinesiology · 2026Review
- Exercise-induced brain changes in cannabis use disorder: a longitudinal MRI study of a 12-week supervised HIIT program.Molecular psychiatry · 2026Article
- Exploring the relationship between BMI and cognitive function in older adults: The mediating role of recreational physical activity.Medicine · 2026Article
- The Association Between Physical Activity and Domain-Specific Cognitive Function in the Elderly: A Cross-Sectional Study and Genetic Analysis.Brain and behavior · 2026Review
- Late-Onset Depression in an Aging World: A Multidimensional Perspective on Risks, Mechanisms, and Treatment.Geriatrics (Basel, Switzerland) · 2026Review
- Synaptic Plasticity in Neurodegenerative Diseases: Impact of Exercise as Promising Therapeutic Tool.Cells · 2026Review
- Dose-response effects and mechanistic pathways linking physical exercise to brain volume and cognition: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.European review of aging and physical activity : official journal of the European Group for Research into Elderly and Physical Activity · 2026Review
- The multidimensional roles and mechanisms of exercise intervention in pediatric oncology.Frontiers in immunology · 2026Review
- Article
- Muscle and mind: rewiring cognitive-motor recovery through exercise-responsive neurophysiology in neurological populations.Frontiers in psychology · 2026Review
- Acute 3.5-minute light-intensity exercise enhances executive function and psychological mood in children.Scientific reports · 2025Article
- Physical Activity and Its Effects on Executive Functions and Brain Outcomes in Children: A Narrative Review.Brain sciences · 2025Review
- Lifestyle Drives Astroglial Plasticity Toward Cognitive Improvement: Roles of Physical Exercise, Environmental Enrichment, Diet, and Sleep.Molecular neurobiology · 2025Review
- Impact of strength training of large muscle groups on quality of life.Journal of clinical biochemistry and nutrition · 2025Article
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 2 institutions in 1 country.
Funding
Abstract
Physical exercise is well known as a non-pharmacological and holistic therapy believed to prevent and mitigate numerous neurological conditions and alleviate ageing-related cognitive decline. To do so, exercise affects the central nervous system (CNS) at different levels. It changes brain physiology and structure, promoting cognitive improvements, which ultimately improves quality of life. Most of these effects are mediated by neurotrophins release, enhanced adult hippocampal neurogenesis, attenuation of neuroinflammation, modulation of cerebral blood flow, and structural reorganisation, besides to promote social interaction with beneficial cognitive outcomes. In this review, we discuss, based on experimental and human research, how exercise impacts the brain structure and function and how these changes contribute to cognitive improvements. Understanding the mechanisms by which exercise affects the brain is essential to understand the brain plasticity following exercise, guiding therapeutic approaches to improve the quality of life, especially in obesity, ageing, neurodegenerative disorders, and following traumatic brain injury.
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.