J Clin Neurol.  2015 Jul;11(3):212-219. 10.3988/jcn.2015.11.3.212.

Protective Effects of Physical Exercise in Alzheimer's Disease and Parkinson's Disease: A Narrative Review

• Paillard T
• Rolland Y
• de Souto Barreto P

• KMID: 1894550
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.3988/jcn.2015.11.3.212

Abstract

Alzheimer's disease (AD) and Parkinson's disease (PD) are devastating, frequent, and still incurable neurodegenerative diseases that manifest as cognitive and motor disorders. Epidemiological data support an inverse relationship between the amount of physical activity (PA) undertaken and the risk of developing these two diseases. Beyond this preventive role, exercise may also slow down their progression. Several mechanisms have been suggested for explaining the benefits of PA in the prevention of AD. Aerobic physical exercise (PE) activates the release of neurotrophic factors and promotes angiogenesis, thereby facilitating neurogenesis and synaptogenesis, which in turn improve memory and cognitive functions. Research has shown that the neuroprotective mechanisms induced by PE are linked to an increased production of superoxide dismutase, endothelial nitric oxide synthase, brain-derived neurotrophic factor, nerve growth factor, insulin-like growth factor, and vascular endothelial growth factor, and a reduction in the production of free radicals in brain areas such as the hippocampus, which is particularly involved in memory. Other mechanisms have also been reported in the prevention of PD. Exercise limits the alteration in dopaminergic neurons in the substantia nigra and contributes to optimal functioning of the basal ganglia involved in motor commands and control by adaptive mechanisms involving dopamine and glutamate neurotransmission. AD and PD are expansive throughout our ageing society, and so even a small impact of nonpharmacological interventions, such as PA and exercise, may have a major impact on public health.

Keyword

Alzheimer's disease; Parkinson's disease; exercise; prevention; slowing-down effects; physical activity

MeSH Terms

Alzheimer Disease*
Basal Ganglia
Brain
Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor
Dopamine
Dopaminergic Neurons
Exercise*
Free Radicals
Glutamic Acid
Hippocampus
Memory
Motor Activity
Nerve Growth Factor
Nerve Growth Factors
Neurodegenerative Diseases
Neurogenesis
Nitric Oxide Synthase Type III
Parkinson Disease*
Public Health
Substantia Nigra
Superoxide Dismutase
Synaptic Transmission
Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A
Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor
Dopamine
Free Radicals
Glutamic Acid
Nerve Growth Factor
Nerve Growth Factors
Nitric Oxide Synthase Type III
Superoxide Dismutase
Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A

Figure

• 

  Fig. 1 Preventive and slowing down neuroprotective mechanisms induced by regular physical exercise on the cognitive and motor functions. BDNF: brain-derived neurotrophic factors, eNOS: endothelial nitric oxide synthases, GDNF: glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factors, IGF-1: insulin-like growth factors, NGF: nerve growth factors, NO: nitric oxide, SOD: superoxide dismutase, VEGF: vascular endothelial growth factor.

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