Ageing, exercise and cognitive function. HMNS Seminars

Event Details

Date:

Friday, 18 November 2016

Time:

12:00 pm - 1:00 pm

Room:

219

UQ Location:

Human Movement Studies Building (St Lucia)

URL:

http://www.hms.uq.edu.au/

Event category(s):

Full Description:: Dr Daniel Brown, from the Queensland Brain Institute (QBI), will discuss findings of a study in physical exercise in ageing mice, which has shown that physical exercise in ageing mice stimulates hippocampal neurogenesis, the production of new neurons in the hippocampus, a structure important to learning and memory. Aged animals that have undergone optimised voluntary physical exercise demonstrate improved cognitive function in the form of spatial memory and learning. We are now investigating the potential mechanisms involved in the exercise-dependent activation of precursor cells, subsequent neurogenesis and cognitive function within these aged animals, and are looking to apply these findings in human studies.

Dr Mia Schaumberg, from HMNS and QBI, will present a new randomised-controlled clinical exercise trial to optimise exercise for cognitive function in older adults. Ultimately, understanding the neurobiological mechanisms that mediate the effects of exercise on cognitive function in health and disease will improve public health recommendations to optimise the neuroprotective and/or neuro-regenerative effects of exercise, and identify robust blood-based biomarkers to aid in the development of effective treatments.