Convincing indings from animal and clinical studies have shown that exercise improves mood and cognition in addition to cardiovascular and metabolic beneits. Exercise, with the greatest efects on the hippocampus, which has a central role in learning and memory, increases neurogenesis and synaptic plasticity. "lthough the exact molecular mechanisms responsible for the exercise-induced neuroplasticity need to be clariied, some neurotrophic and angiogenic factors e.g. "DNF, IGF-, bFGF2 and VEGF

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... diferent neurotransmiter systems glutamate, G""", endocannabinoids and monoamines may have critical contributions in these processes. Exercise-induced changes in the brain morphology, chemistry and functions seem to be responsible for the beneicial efects of exercise, like improved learning and memory, anti-depressantlike and anxiolytic efects, reduced cognitive decline related to ageing and improvements in symptoms of neurodegenerative diseases. In this chapter, after discussing basic neurophysiological information regarding the brain, cognition, neurotransmiter systems, neural plasticity, learning, memory and behaviour tasks, the focus is on the exercise-induced changes in neuroplasticity, cognitive functions and mood and the factors mediating the efects of exercise, and inally, the efect of exercise on ageing and neurodegenerative diseases is discussed.