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MINI REVIEW article

Front. Endocrinol.
Sec. Neuroendocrine Science
Volume 15 - 2024 | doi: 10.3389/fendo.2024.1498495
This article is part of the Research Topic The Interplay among Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor, Sex Hormones, and Brain Function View all 4 articles

High-intensity training on CREB activation for improving brain health: A narrative review of possible molecular talks

Provisionally accepted
LI Ping LI Ping 1*Yan Hu Yan Hu 2*Ligang Tong Ligang Tong 3*Xuecui Bi Xuecui Bi 4*
  • 1 Ningbo University, Ningbo, China
  • 2 Ningbo High-tech zone playing Kindergarten, Ningbo, Zhejiang Province, China
  • 3 Ningbo Childhood Education College, Ningbo, Zhejiang Province, China
  • 4 Capital Institute of Physical Education and Sports, Beijing, Beijing, China

The final, formatted version of the article will be published soon.

    Although physical exercise has obvious benefits in brain physiology, the molecular biomarkers induced by exercise protocols are inconclusive. Evidence indicates that exercise interventions are effective in shaping brain physiology. However, the potential mediator for improving brain functions is uncertain. CREB is one of the potential targets of exercise that triggers various molecular cross-talk to improve neurogenesis, longterm potentiation, and synaptogenesis. Therefore, CREB may be situated on the causal path between maintaining brain health and exercising. To support this, studies have shown that exercise-mediated CREB phosphorylation improves cognitive functions and memory. In addition, among the protocols of exercise (types, duration, and frequency), the intensity has been reported to be the most effective in triggering CREB-mediated molecular signaling. For example, HIT increases the synthesis of CREB, which may not only induce brain physiology but also induce brain pathology by higher activation of its downstream targets, such as BDNF. Therefore, this review aims to understand the effects of HIT on CREB function and how HIT can mediate the CREB-induced molecular cross-talk for maintaining brain health.

    Keywords: CREB, HIT, physical exercise, Neurons, Brain health

    Received: 19 Sep 2024; Accepted: 27 Dec 2024.

    Copyright: © 2024 Ping, Hu, Tong and Bi. This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (CC BY). The use, distribution or reproduction in other forums is permitted, provided the original author(s) or licensor are credited and that the original publication in this journal is cited, in accordance with accepted academic practice. No use, distribution or reproduction is permitted which does not comply with these terms.

    * Correspondence:
    LI Ping, Ningbo University, Ningbo, China
    Yan Hu, Ningbo High-tech zone playing Kindergarten, Ningbo, Zhejiang Province, China
    Ligang Tong, Ningbo Childhood Education College, Ningbo, Zhejiang Province, China
    Xuecui Bi, Capital Institute of Physical Education and Sports, Beijing, 100088, Beijing, China

    Disclaimer: All claims expressed in this article are solely those of the authors and do not necessarily represent those of their affiliated organizations, or those of the publisher, the editors and the reviewers. Any product that may be evaluated in this article or claim that may be made by its manufacturer is not guaranteed or endorsed by the publisher.