Cognition on the move: Examining the role of physical exercise and neurogenesis in counteracting cognitive aging

Sahand Farmand; Andrea Du Preez; Curie Kim; Chiara de Lucia; Marc David Ruepp; Brendon Stubbs; Sandrine Thuret

doi:10.1016/j.arr.2025.102725

Cognition on the move: Examining the role of physical exercise and neurogenesis in counteracting cognitive aging

Sahand Farmand, Andrea Du Preez, Curie Kim, Chiara de Lucia, Marc David Ruepp, Brendon Stubbs, Sandrine Thuret^*

^*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journal › Review article › peer-review

1 Citation (Scopus)

Abstract

Structural and functional aspects of the hippocampus have been shown to be sensitive to the aging process, resulting in deficits in hippocampal-dependent cognition. Similarly, adult hippocampal neurogenesis (AHN), described as the generation of new neurons from neural stem cells in the hippocampus, has shown to be negatively affected by aging throughout life. Extensive research has highlighted the role of physical exercise (PE) in positively regulating hippocampal-dependent cognition and AHN. Here, by critically reviewing preclinical and clinical studies, we discuss the significance of PE in reversing age-associated changes of the hippocampus via modulation of AHN. We indicate that PE-induced changes operate on two main levels. On the first level, PE can potentially cause structural modifications of the hippocampus, and on the second level, it regulates the molecular and cellular pathways involved. These changes result in the vascular remodelling of the neurogenic niche, as well as the secretion of neurotrophic and antioxidant factors, which can in turn activate quiescent neural stem cells, while restoring their proliferation capacity and boosting their survival - features which are negatively impacted during aging. Understanding these mechanisms will allow us to identify new targets to tackle cognitive aging and improve quality of life.

Original language	English
Article number	102725
Journal	AGEING RESEARCH REVIEWS
Volume	107
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1016/j.arr.2025.102725
Publication status	Published - 8 Apr 2025

Keywords

Adult hippocampal neurogenesis
Aging
Cognition
Physical exercise
The hippocampus

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title = "Cognition on the move: Examining the role of physical exercise and neurogenesis in counteracting cognitive aging",

abstract = "Structural and functional aspects of the hippocampus have been shown to be sensitive to the aging process, resulting in deficits in hippocampal-dependent cognition. Similarly, adult hippocampal neurogenesis (AHN), described as the generation of new neurons from neural stem cells in the hippocampus, has shown to be negatively affected by aging throughout life. Extensive research has highlighted the role of physical exercise (PE) in positively regulating hippocampal-dependent cognition and AHN. Here, by critically reviewing preclinical and clinical studies, we discuss the significance of PE in reversing age-associated changes of the hippocampus via modulation of AHN. We indicate that PE-induced changes operate on two main levels. On the first level, PE can potentially cause structural modifications of the hippocampus, and on the second level, it regulates the molecular and cellular pathways involved. These changes result in the vascular remodelling of the neurogenic niche, as well as the secretion of neurotrophic and antioxidant factors, which can in turn activate quiescent neural stem cells, while restoring their proliferation capacity and boosting their survival - features which are negatively impacted during aging. Understanding these mechanisms will allow us to identify new targets to tackle cognitive aging and improve quality of life.",

keywords = "Adult hippocampal neurogenesis, Aging, Cognition, Physical exercise, The hippocampus",

author = "Sahand Farmand and {Du Preez}, Andrea and Curie Kim and {de Lucia}, Chiara and Ruepp, {Marc David} and Brendon Stubbs and Sandrine Thuret",

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doi = "10.1016/j.arr.2025.102725",

language = "English",

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T2 - Examining the role of physical exercise and neurogenesis in counteracting cognitive aging

AU - Farmand, Sahand

AU - Du Preez, Andrea

AU - Kim, Curie

AU - de Lucia, Chiara

AU - Ruepp, Marc David

AU - Stubbs, Brendon

AU - Thuret, Sandrine

PY - 2025/4/8

Y1 - 2025/4/8

N2 - Structural and functional aspects of the hippocampus have been shown to be sensitive to the aging process, resulting in deficits in hippocampal-dependent cognition. Similarly, adult hippocampal neurogenesis (AHN), described as the generation of new neurons from neural stem cells in the hippocampus, has shown to be negatively affected by aging throughout life. Extensive research has highlighted the role of physical exercise (PE) in positively regulating hippocampal-dependent cognition and AHN. Here, by critically reviewing preclinical and clinical studies, we discuss the significance of PE in reversing age-associated changes of the hippocampus via modulation of AHN. We indicate that PE-induced changes operate on two main levels. On the first level, PE can potentially cause structural modifications of the hippocampus, and on the second level, it regulates the molecular and cellular pathways involved. These changes result in the vascular remodelling of the neurogenic niche, as well as the secretion of neurotrophic and antioxidant factors, which can in turn activate quiescent neural stem cells, while restoring their proliferation capacity and boosting their survival - features which are negatively impacted during aging. Understanding these mechanisms will allow us to identify new targets to tackle cognitive aging and improve quality of life.

AB - Structural and functional aspects of the hippocampus have been shown to be sensitive to the aging process, resulting in deficits in hippocampal-dependent cognition. Similarly, adult hippocampal neurogenesis (AHN), described as the generation of new neurons from neural stem cells in the hippocampus, has shown to be negatively affected by aging throughout life. Extensive research has highlighted the role of physical exercise (PE) in positively regulating hippocampal-dependent cognition and AHN. Here, by critically reviewing preclinical and clinical studies, we discuss the significance of PE in reversing age-associated changes of the hippocampus via modulation of AHN. We indicate that PE-induced changes operate on two main levels. On the first level, PE can potentially cause structural modifications of the hippocampus, and on the second level, it regulates the molecular and cellular pathways involved. These changes result in the vascular remodelling of the neurogenic niche, as well as the secretion of neurotrophic and antioxidant factors, which can in turn activate quiescent neural stem cells, while restoring their proliferation capacity and boosting their survival - features which are negatively impacted during aging. Understanding these mechanisms will allow us to identify new targets to tackle cognitive aging and improve quality of life.

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KW - Aging

KW - Cognition

KW - Physical exercise

KW - The hippocampus

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DO - 10.1016/j.arr.2025.102725

M3 - Review article

AN - SCOPUS:86000667520

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Cognition on the move: Examining the role of physical exercise and neurogenesis in counteracting cognitive aging

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