Exercise Brain Growth

Move Your Feet -- Grow New Neurons in Your Hippocampus

Brenda Patoine’s article on the DANA.org website cites research suggesting neurogenesis (new brain cell growth) resulting from exercise (e.g. hour a day, four times a week). MRI scans show growth takes place in the dentate gyrus within the hippocampus, an essential part of our memory system. The research suggests that exercise helps protect your brain throughout your lifetime. BDNF, is a major nerve growth factor involved in new brain cell growth and connectivity according to Carl Cotman, neurobiologist at the University of California, Irvine.

Exercise Improves the Brain

How your inner athlete makes you smarter


Robert Nixon writing for Live Science has a fine article showing how aerobic exercise improves the brain creating new brain cells and improving the cellular connections. Carl Cotman explains how nerve growth factors come into play.