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Study Proves Exercise Builds Brain Cells

We have long recognised that exercise decreases stress, boosts energy, and increases mental performance. But recent studies led by Dr Scott Small, a neurologist at Columbia University Medical Centre in

New York, have shown that physiological changes also occur that may be the key to keeping us mentally fit. The research found that exercise boosts brainpower by building new brain cells in a brain region linked with memory and memory loss.

Study & Findings

Tests on 11 healthy adults undergoing a three month aerobic exercise program showed exercise generated blood flow to a brain region called the dentate gyrus, which resulted in growth of new brain cells. This part of the hippocampus is known to be affected in the age-related memory decline that begins around age 30 for most humans.

The changes were detected using MRI scans of the brain before and after exercise. They also measured the fitness of each volunteer by measuring oxygen volume before and after the training programme. The more fit a person got, the more blood flow the MRI detected.

The next step for the research is to identify the exercise regimen most beneficial to improve cognition and reduce normal memory loss.

Nicola

This entry was posted on Wednesday, March 14th, 2007 at 7:53 pm and is filed under Aging, Anti-Aging Program, Fitness, Mind Power. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.

3 Responses to “Study Proves Exercise Builds Brain Cells”

  1. Fit Women says:
    March 15, 2009 at 6:56 am

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  2. Nicola says:
    March 15, 2009 at 8:07 pm

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