Effects of acute physical activity on brain metabolites as measured by magnetic resonance spectroscopy (1H-MRS) in humans: A systematic review
Mathias Ryberg,
Carl-Johan Boraxbekk,
Michael Kjaer,
Naiara Demnitz
Affiliations
Mathias Ryberg
Institute of Sports Medicine Copenhagen (ISMC), Copenhagen University Hospital – Bispebjerg and Frederiksberg, Bispebjerg Bakke 23, 2400 Copenhagen NV, Denmark
Carl-Johan Boraxbekk
Institute of Sports Medicine Copenhagen (ISMC), Copenhagen University Hospital – Bispebjerg and Frederiksberg, Bispebjerg Bakke 23, 2400 Copenhagen NV, Denmark; Danish Research Center for Magnetic Resonance, Centre for Functional and Diagnostic Imaging and Research, Copenhagen University Hospital – Amager and Hvidovre, Kettegård Allé 30, 2650 Hvidovre, Denmark; Department of Neurology, Copenhagen University Hospital - Bispebjerg and Frederiksberg, Copenhagen, Denmark; Institute for Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
Michael Kjaer
Institute of Sports Medicine Copenhagen (ISMC), Copenhagen University Hospital – Bispebjerg and Frederiksberg, Bispebjerg Bakke 23, 2400 Copenhagen NV, Denmark; Institute for Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark; Center for Healthy Aging, University of Copenhagen, Blegdamsvej 3B, 2200 Copenhagen N, Denmark
Naiara Demnitz
Danish Research Center for Magnetic Resonance, Centre for Functional and Diagnostic Imaging and Research, Copenhagen University Hospital – Amager and Hvidovre, Kettegård Allé 30, 2650 Hvidovre, Denmark; Corresponding author.
Physical activity (PA) promotes brain health in a variety of domains including cognition, mood, and neuroplasticity. At the neurochemical level, the mechanisms underlying these effects in the brain are not fully understood. With proton Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy (1H-MRS), it is possible to non-invasively quantify metabolite concentrations, enabling studies to obtain measures of exercise-induced neurochemical changes. This systematic review aimed to examine the existing literature on acute effects of PA on brain metabolites as measured by 1H-MRS. Four databases (Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, PubMed, Embase, and PsycINFO) were searched, identifying 2965 studies, of which 9 met the inclusion criteria. Across studies, Gamma-AminoButyric Acid (GABA) and lactate tended to increase after exercise, while no significant changes in choline were reported. For glutamine/glutamate (Glx), studies were inconclusive. Conclusions were limited by the lack of consensus on 1H-MRS data processing and exercise protocols. To reduce inter-study differences, future studies are recommended to: (1) apply a standardized exercise index, (2) consider the onset time of MRS scans, and (3) follow standardized MRS quantification methods.
