A Runner’s High for New Neurons? Potential Role for Endorphins in Exercise Effects on Adult Neurogenesis
Physical exercise has wide-ranging benefits to cognitive functioning and mental state, effects very closely resembling enhancements to hippocampal functioning. Hippocampal neurogenesis has been implicated in many of these mental benefits of exercise. However, precise mechanisms behind these effects...
| Main Authors: | , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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MDPI AG
2021-07-01
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| Series: | Biomolecules |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2218-273X/11/8/1077 |
| _version_ | 1797524611342008320 |
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| author | Timothy J. Schoenfeld Chance Swanson |
| author_facet | Timothy J. Schoenfeld Chance Swanson |
| author_sort | Timothy J. Schoenfeld |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Physical exercise has wide-ranging benefits to cognitive functioning and mental state, effects very closely resembling enhancements to hippocampal functioning. Hippocampal neurogenesis has been implicated in many of these mental benefits of exercise. However, precise mechanisms behind these effects are not well known. Released peripherally during exercise, beta-endorphins are an intriguing candidate for moderating increases in neurogenesis and the related behavioral benefits of exercise. Although historically ignored due to their peripheral release and status as a peptide hormone, this review highlights reasons for further exploring beta-endorphin as a key mediator of hippocampal neurogenesis. This includes possible routes for beta-endorphin signaling into the hippocampus during exercise, direct effects of beta-endorphin on cell proliferation and neurogenesis, and behavioral effects of manipulating endogenous opioid signaling. Together, beta-endorphin appears to be a promising mechanism for understanding the specific ways that exercise promotes adult neurogenesis specifically and brain health broadly. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-10T08:59:54Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-ebb6b331b19a4f0ca5ef3f678a9be810 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2218-273X |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-10T08:59:54Z |
| publishDate | 2021-07-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Biomolecules |
| spelling | doaj.art-ebb6b331b19a4f0ca5ef3f678a9be8102023-11-22T06:54:26ZengMDPI AGBiomolecules2218-273X2021-07-01118107710.3390/biom11081077A Runner’s High for New Neurons? Potential Role for Endorphins in Exercise Effects on Adult NeurogenesisTimothy J. Schoenfeld0Chance Swanson1Department of Psychological Sciences and Neuroscience, Belmont University, Nashville, TN 37212, USADepartment of Psychological Sciences and Neuroscience, Belmont University, Nashville, TN 37212, USAPhysical exercise has wide-ranging benefits to cognitive functioning and mental state, effects very closely resembling enhancements to hippocampal functioning. Hippocampal neurogenesis has been implicated in many of these mental benefits of exercise. However, precise mechanisms behind these effects are not well known. Released peripherally during exercise, beta-endorphins are an intriguing candidate for moderating increases in neurogenesis and the related behavioral benefits of exercise. Although historically ignored due to their peripheral release and status as a peptide hormone, this review highlights reasons for further exploring beta-endorphin as a key mediator of hippocampal neurogenesis. This includes possible routes for beta-endorphin signaling into the hippocampus during exercise, direct effects of beta-endorphin on cell proliferation and neurogenesis, and behavioral effects of manipulating endogenous opioid signaling. Together, beta-endorphin appears to be a promising mechanism for understanding the specific ways that exercise promotes adult neurogenesis specifically and brain health broadly.https://www.mdpi.com/2218-273X/11/8/1077exerciseadult neurogenesisbeta-endorphinhippocampusstressdentate gyrus |
| spellingShingle | Timothy J. Schoenfeld Chance Swanson A Runner’s High for New Neurons? Potential Role for Endorphins in Exercise Effects on Adult Neurogenesis Biomolecules exercise adult neurogenesis beta-endorphin hippocampus stress dentate gyrus |
| title | A Runner’s High for New Neurons? Potential Role for Endorphins in Exercise Effects on Adult Neurogenesis |
| title_full | A Runner’s High for New Neurons? Potential Role for Endorphins in Exercise Effects on Adult Neurogenesis |
| title_fullStr | A Runner’s High for New Neurons? Potential Role for Endorphins in Exercise Effects on Adult Neurogenesis |
| title_full_unstemmed | A Runner’s High for New Neurons? Potential Role for Endorphins in Exercise Effects on Adult Neurogenesis |
| title_short | A Runner’s High for New Neurons? Potential Role for Endorphins in Exercise Effects on Adult Neurogenesis |
| title_sort | runner s high for new neurons potential role for endorphins in exercise effects on adult neurogenesis |
| topic | exercise adult neurogenesis beta-endorphin hippocampus stress dentate gyrus |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2218-273X/11/8/1077 |
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