Health · Fitness & Nutrition · 5 hrs ago
Researchers say exercise can support brain health and should be prescribed
Researchers writing in the journal Brain Health argue that doctors should treat exercise as part of brain-health care.
Exercise may affect the brain through better blood flow and sleep, as well as signals released by contracting muscles.
Trials and reviews suggest exercise programs can reduce symptoms of depression, anxiety and psychological distress.
A trial in older adults found that aerobic exercise increased the size of part of the hippocampus and improved memory.
Physical activity is also linked to a lower risk of cognitive decline and dementia, but much of that evidence is observational and does not prove exercise prevents these conditions.
The authors say exercise can complement established mental-health care, while experimental drugs designed to mimic exercise remain investigational.
Researchers say exercise may support brain health by affecting mood, cognition and other brain-related functions.
A Viewpoint in the journal Brain Health reviews evidence linking exercise with mental health, cognition and clinical practice.
Studies suggest physical activity can reduce symptoms of depression and anxiety, while findings on some long-term outcomes are observational.
A randomized trial involving older adults found that aerobic exercise increased anterior hippocampal volume and improved memory.
The authors say exercise could complement established mental-health interventions, while noting that some evidence does not establish cause and effect.
- Who
- Researchers writing in a Viewpoint in Brain Health.
- What
- They say exercise may support brain health and discuss its potential role in clinical practice.
- When
- The Viewpoint was published recently; News-Medical published its report on 2026-11-04.
- Where
- The Viewpoint appeared in the journal Brain Health. The trial involving older adults is not located in the article.
- Why
- Exercise may affect systems linked to mood and cognition, and research suggests it can benefit mental health and memory.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
This story does not have a timeline yet.
- Journal
- Brain Health
- Report publication
- 2026-11-04
- Trial participants
- Older adults
- Trial findings
- Aerobic exercise increased anterior hippocampal volume and improved memory
- Activity level
- About 75 minutes of moderate-intensity activity per week was associated with a lower risk of developing depression in dose-response analyses