Mechanisms of aerobic exercise in attenuating obesity-induced cognitive impairment: A brief review

Obesity is associated with cognitive deficits. With the increasing rates of obesity and negative consequences of cognitive impairments, an understanding of interventions that may reduce cognitive impairment is of utmost importance. One intervention that has been proposed to mitigate cognitive deficits in individuals with obesity is the use of aerobic exercise. Despite the evidence that aerobic exercise may improve cognition in individuals with obesity, the exact mechanisms responsible for the cognitive improvements remain to be elucidated. This review explores three possible mechanisms that contribute to aerobic exercise-induced cognitive improvements in individuals with obesity including: 1) Improved cerebral blood flow, 2) Reduced neuroinflammation, and 3) Increased neurogenesis. Future directions will also be discussed.