Abstract
Coordinated and constructive physical activity is correlated with the maintenance of cognitive function in humans. Voluntary running also enhances neuroplasticity in adult and aging rodents, but the molecular pathways underlying these effects are still being elucidated. Considering the multifactorial nature of the biochemical links between physical activity and neurophysiology, it is likely that there are many pharmacological mechanisms by which the beneficial actions of exercise can be effectively reproduced using chemical agents. Most studies to date have focused on brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) as a signaling target for the enhancement of neuronal function by exercise. The goal of the current review is to move beyond BDNF by exploring the diversity of molecular pathways regulated by physical activity in a variety of situations. We will discuss the availability and mechanism of action for several diverse physical activity pharmacomimetics. As physical activity enhances both neuroplasticity and cognition, understanding the molecular targets for these effects may lead to the development of potent new therapeutic interventions for age-related neurodegenerative conditions such as Alzheimers disease.
Keywords: Running, exercise, neurogenesis, serotonin, insulin-like growth factor, Wnt, nitric oxide, hippocampus
Current Medicinal Chemistry
Title: Pharmacomimetics of Exercise: Novel Approaches for Hippocampally- Targeted Neuroprotective Agents
Volume: 16 Issue: 35
Author(s): A. M. Stranahan, Y. Zhou, B. Martin and S. Maudsley
Affiliation:
Keywords: Running, exercise, neurogenesis, serotonin, insulin-like growth factor, Wnt, nitric oxide, hippocampus
Abstract: Coordinated and constructive physical activity is correlated with the maintenance of cognitive function in humans. Voluntary running also enhances neuroplasticity in adult and aging rodents, but the molecular pathways underlying these effects are still being elucidated. Considering the multifactorial nature of the biochemical links between physical activity and neurophysiology, it is likely that there are many pharmacological mechanisms by which the beneficial actions of exercise can be effectively reproduced using chemical agents. Most studies to date have focused on brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) as a signaling target for the enhancement of neuronal function by exercise. The goal of the current review is to move beyond BDNF by exploring the diversity of molecular pathways regulated by physical activity in a variety of situations. We will discuss the availability and mechanism of action for several diverse physical activity pharmacomimetics. As physical activity enhances both neuroplasticity and cognition, understanding the molecular targets for these effects may lead to the development of potent new therapeutic interventions for age-related neurodegenerative conditions such as Alzheimers disease.
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Cite this article as:
Stranahan M. A., Zhou Y., Martin B. and Maudsley S., Pharmacomimetics of Exercise: Novel Approaches for Hippocampally- Targeted Neuroprotective Agents, Current Medicinal Chemistry 2009; 16 (35) . https://dx.doi.org/10.2174/092986709789878292
DOI https://dx.doi.org/10.2174/092986709789878292 |
Print ISSN 0929-8673 |
Publisher Name Bentham Science Publisher |
Online ISSN 1875-533X |
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