Angiogenesis Induced by Physical Exercise in Adult Brain

Abstract

Although physical exercise has long been equated with better physical health, there are recently extensive researches showing that it has substantial benefits for the brain as well. Exercise does not only improve cognitive function in normal individuals, but it has also been associated with a lower risk for a variety of brain disorders. A model of the rehabilitative exercise in animal studies, enriched environment, which facilitates motor, sensory, and cognitive stimulations in housing conditions, increased neurogenesis and angiogenesis in the brain. Recent researches have attempted to identify molecular and cellular changes in the central nervous system elicited by physical activity. Animal studies have identified several key responses, especially neurorestoration via angiogenesis induced by physical exercise. This review focused on angiogenesis induced by physical activity such as enriched environment and physical exercise, and discussed its possible roles for functional recovery in the brain injury.