Exercise improves memory, boosts blood flow to brain

Exercise improves memory, boosts blood flow to brain
The ‘A’ image shows the cerebral blood flow in a group of older adults at risk to develop Alzheimer’s disease after one year of aerobic exercise training. The yellow and white represents increased flow into the hippocampus, the anterior cingulate cortex, and other frontal regions. The ‘B’ image shows no change or a reduction in blood flow in a group of at-risk older adults who did one year of stretching only. Credit: UTSW

Scientists have collected plenty of evidence linking exercise to brain health, with some research suggesting fitness may even improve memory. But what happens during exercise to trigger these benefits? New UT Southwestern research that mapped brain changes after one year of aerobic workouts has uncovered a potentially critical process: Exercise boosts blood flow into two key regions of the brain associated…

Read more…