健身運動與認知功能：大腦神經滋養因子調節機制之探討

Exercise and Cognitive Function: A BDNF-Moderated Mechanism

健身運動與認知功能的關係已被廣泛驗證,其研究發現健身運動可有效促進認知功能或減緩因年齡所導致之認知衰退。近年研究則開始聚焦健身運改善認知功能的機制,其中聚焦於大腦神經滋養因子(brain-derived neurotrophic factor, BDNF)為機制的探究受到研究相當矚目。本綜評之目的係建立在健身運動改善認知功能之觀點,描述BDNF在此關係所扮演之角色,具體內容包括:BDNF簡介、健身運動與認知功能在動物實驗、人體研究等方面之描述與討論,最後再提出結語。經綜評後發現,BDNF可以增加神經新生與再生、細胞的存活,以及突觸可塑性,進而提升長期增益。此外,健身運動提升BDNF濃度之研究已從過去動物實驗的基礎,拓展至人體研究;其中,雖然在運動類型方面的結果仍然分歧,顯示該關係受到許多因素所調節,然而急性與慢性健身運動皆可能增進不同族群BDNF濃度。因此,BDNF可成為解釋健身運動改善認知功能可能之生物化學機制。本文所提出之調節因素可作為後續研究考量的依據與方向。

The association between exercise and cognitive function, especially the exercise effect on improved cognition and delayed age- related cognitive decline, has been widely documented. Recently, research has focused on the potential mechanisms underlying exercise and improved cognitive function. One of the mechanisms, the brain- derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), has attracted a great deal of attention. The purpose of this review is to describe the role of BDNF in the improvement of cognition function induced by exercise. Specifically, this review first introduces the background of BDNF, followed by a discussion of findings derived from both animal studies and human-result perspectives, and ends by providing some suggestions for future research. The review revealed that BDNF plays a significant role in the improvement of cognitive function through exercise, specifically, with regards to increasing neurogenesis, neurogeneration, cell survival, and synaptic plasticity, which enhances further long-term potentiation. In addition, based on successful animal experiments, research has expanded to human research and has further confirmed that both acute and chronic exercise are linked to an increase in BDNF concentration. However, the findings regarding the effects of different exercise types on BDNF concentration remain inconsistent, suggesting that more complex moderators are involved. In closing, potential moderators are provided as directions and suggestions for future investigation.