Impact of Exercise on Molecular and Cellular Processes in the CNS
A special issue of International Journal of Molecular Sciences (ISSN 1422-0067). This special issue belongs to the section "Molecular Biology".
Deadline for manuscript submissions: 30 April 2026
Special Issue Editors
Interests: monoamines; neurochemistry; addiction; Parkinson's disease; schizophrenia; neuropharmacology; mood disorders
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Special Issue Information
Dear Colleagues,
We propose to collect research and review articles on the latest progresses in molecular and cellular biology addressing the beneficial impacts of physical exercise in the CNS, both in physiological and pathological conditions. The Special Issue covers the cellular/molecular consequences elicited by physical exercise in the CNS (neurogenesis, angiogenesis, gliogenesis, mitochondrial genesis) that account for cognitive improvements (memory and especially hippocampal-dependent memory, executive functions, processing speed, learning) and therapeutic effects (depression, dementia, Parkinson’s disease, multiple sclerosis, stroke). Exercise also triggers a shift in brain and systemic immune milieu toward anti-inflammatory profiles (microglial phenotype reprogramming) and a regulation of the hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal axis. The Special Issue addresses how peripheral exerkines / myokines secreted by muscles (cathepsin bêta, irisin) and/or neurotrophins (BDNF, IGF-1, VEGF) trigger the above cited changes. The issue also covers how exercise metabolites (lactate, bêta hydroxybutyrate, ROS) act as signaling molecules that trigger, among other processes, epigenetic modifications (ex: BDNF promotor activation, HDACs inhibition). Finally, the Special Issue could address how physical exercise alters CNS neurotransmission of (1) neuromodulatory systems (biogenic amines, acetylcholine) by modifying their release, turnover, receptor / transporter expression supporting mood, motivation, reward and motor function; (2) GABA/ Glutamate balance, which benefits anxiety regulation, seizures threshold and cortical processing, (3) neuropeptides (endorphins) and endocannabinoids, contributing to mood and nociception regulation.
The influences of physical exercise on CNS functions are thus multiple, and this Special Issue is an occasion to federate articles on this complex topic.
Prof. Dr. Philippe De Deurwaerdere
Dr. Hélène Gréa
Guest Editors
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Keywords
- physical exercise
- plasticity
- neurotransmission
- metabolism
- neuroinflammation
- glia
- epigenetic
- CNS disease
- animal models
- humans
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