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Exercise and Neurodegenerative Disease
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Exercise and Neurodegenerative Disease

A special issue of Journal of Functional Morphology and Kinesiology (ISSN 2411-5142). This special issue belongs to the section "Sports Medicine and Nutrition".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (31 December 2020) | Viewed by 14863

Special Issue Editors

Dr. Grazia Maugeri

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, School of Medicine, University of Catania, Catania, Italy
Interests: neuroanatomy; neuromorphology; molecular biology; diabetic retinopathy; neurodegenerative disease; neuropetides
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Prof. Dr. Velia D'Agata

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, University of Catania, 95123 Catania, Italy
Interests: neuroscience; neurodegeneration; molecular biology; peptides
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

There is a growing body of evidence indicating the beneficial effects of exercise on humans. Physical exercise increases blood flow throughout the brain, ameliorates functional and neurocognitive ability, and reduces brain atrophy, neuroinflammation, and oxidative stress. Several studies have demonstrated that exercise can act as a weapon to counteract neurodegeneration. Physical exercise significantly improves the neurological symptoms of patients affected by neurodegenerative diseases, such as Alzheimer’s disease (AD), Parkinson’s disease (PD), and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). To date, there is no effective pharmacological treatment for these pathologies. However, animal and human studies have demonstrated exercise-induced neuroprotective effects in the prevention or delay of cognitive decline.

Despite all these achievements, further efforts are needed to better characterize the role of physical exercise during disease progression in order to understand the etiopathological mechanisms involved in neurodegeneration.

This Special Issue will focus on the “Exercise and Neurodegenerative Disease”. Authors are invited to submit original research papers and review articles.

Dr. Grazia Maugeri
Prof. Dr. Velia D'Agata
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Journal of Functional Morphology and Kinesiology is an international peer-reviewed open access quarterly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 1600 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • exercise
  • neuroprotection
  • neurodegenerative diseases
  • Alzheimer’s disease
  • Parkinson’s disease
  • amyotrophic lateral sclerosis

Published Papers (4 papers)

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Editorial

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4 pages, 196 KiB  
Editorial
Effects of Physical Activity on Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis
by Grazia Maugeri and Velia D’Agata
J. Funct. Morphol. Kinesiol. 2020, 5(2), 29; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/jfmk5020029 - 06 May 2020
Cited by 11 | Viewed by 3516
Abstract
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a heterogeneous neurodegenerative disease characterized by the loss of upper and lower motor neurons. To date, no resolutive cure is available, and only two Food and Drug Administration-approved drugs are used to treat ALS without a resolutive outcome. [...] Read more.
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a heterogeneous neurodegenerative disease characterized by the loss of upper and lower motor neurons. To date, no resolutive cure is available, and only two Food and Drug Administration-approved drugs are used to treat ALS without a resolutive outcome. In recent years, the study of the beneficial effects of physical activity on health has acquired special relevance. However, the relationship between ALS progression and physical exercise is still a hotly debated topic in medicine. Some studies have suggested higher risks to develop the disease that are associated with practicing intense physical activity, as seen in professional soccer or football players, for example. On the contrary, moderate training has been shown to exert several benefits in ALS-affected patients. Overall, more studies are needed to clarify whether physical activity is helpful or harmful for developing ALS. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Exercise and Neurodegenerative Disease)

Research

Jump to: Editorial, Other

14 pages, 2282 KiB  
Article
Nordic Walking and Free Walking Improve the Quality of Life, Cognitive Function, and Depressive Symptoms in Individuals with Parkinson’s Disease: A Randomized Clinical Trial
by Elren Passos-Monteiro, Felipe B. Schuch, Leandro T. Franzoni, Alberito R. Carvalho, Natalia A. Gomeñuka, Marindia Becker, Carlos R. M. Rieder, Alexandro Andrade, Flávia G. Martinez, Aline S. Pagnussat and Leonardo A. Peyré-Tartaruga
J. Funct. Morphol. Kinesiol. 2020, 5(4), 82; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/jfmk5040082 - 10 Nov 2020
Cited by 11 | Viewed by 4608
Abstract
Nordic walking’s (NW) degree of effectiveness regarding health-related parameters in people with Parkinson’s Disease (PD) is a subject of debate. While NW seems to improve functionality, a clear non-motor benefit has not been demonstrated. The aim of this randomized controlled trial was to [...] Read more.
Nordic walking’s (NW) degree of effectiveness regarding health-related parameters in people with Parkinson’s Disease (PD) is a subject of debate. While NW seems to improve functionality, a clear non-motor benefit has not been demonstrated. The aim of this randomized controlled trial was to compare the effects of 9-week NW and free walking (FW) training programs on quality of life, cognitive function, and depressive symptoms in individuals with PD. Thirty-three people with PD, (Hoehn and Yahr 1–4) were randomized into two groups: NW (n = 16) and FW (n = 17). We analyzed quality of life, cognitive function, depressive symptoms, and motor symptoms. Significant improvements were found in the overall, physical, psychological, social participation, and intimacy domains of quality of life, as well as in cognitive function and depressive symptoms for both groups. Only the NW group showed improvement in the autonomy domain. Individuals with PD had a similar enhancement of non-motor symptoms after walking training, with or without poles. However, the NW group showed a more significant improvement in the autonomy domain, strengthening the applied and clinical potential of NW in people with PD. Future studies are needed to determine the efficacy of walking training without poles in subjects with PD. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Exercise and Neurodegenerative Disease)
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9 pages, 1955 KiB  
Article
Effects of Different Continuous Aerobic Training Protocols in a Heterozygous Mouse Model of Niemann-Pick Type C Disease
by Ida Cariati, Manuel Scimeca, Virginia Tancredi, Agata Grazia D’Amico, Gabriele Pallone, Mattia Palmieri, Claudio Frank and Giovanna D’Arcangelo
J. Funct. Morphol. Kinesiol. 2020, 5(3), 53; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/jfmk5030053 - 18 Jul 2020
Cited by 6 | Viewed by 2316
Abstract
The positive effects of physical activity on cognitive functions are widely known. Aerobic training is known to promote the expression of neurotrophins, thus inducing an increase in the development and survival of neurons, as well as enhancing synaptic plasticity. Based on this evidence, [...] Read more.
The positive effects of physical activity on cognitive functions are widely known. Aerobic training is known to promote the expression of neurotrophins, thus inducing an increase in the development and survival of neurons, as well as enhancing synaptic plasticity. Based on this evidence, in the present study, we analyze the effects of two different types of aerobic training, progressive continuous (PC) and varying continuous (VC), on synaptic and muscular plasticity in heterozygous mice carrying the genetic mutation for Niemann-Pick type C disease. We also analyze the effects on synaptic plasticity by extracellular recordings in vitro in mouse hippocampal slices, while the morphological structure of muscle tissue was studied by transmission electron microscopy. Our results show a modulation of synaptic plasticity that varies according to the type of training protocol used, and only the VC protocol administered twice a week, has a significantly positive effect on long-term potentiation. On the contrary, ultrastructural analysis of muscle tissue shows an improvement in cellular conditions in all trained mice. These results confirm the beneficial effects of exercise on quality of life, supporting the hypothesis that physical activity could represent an alternative therapeutic strategy for patients with Niemann-Pick type C disease. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Exercise and Neurodegenerative Disease)
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Other

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6 pages, 214 KiB  
Viewpoint
The Importance of Exercise in Alzheimer’s Disease and the Minds in Motion® Program: An Editorial
by Jessica Watson, Nathan O’Keeffe and Sarah L. West
J. Funct. Morphol. Kinesiol. 2020, 5(3), 59; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/jfmk5030059 - 04 Aug 2020
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 3489
Abstract
Alzheimer’s Disease (AD) and other dementias are prevalent neurodegenerative diseases characterized by decreased cognition, physical function, and quality of life. Currently, millions of people are living with AD and other dementias. With no cure, research has examined the use of non-pharmacological treatment options [...] Read more.
Alzheimer’s Disease (AD) and other dementias are prevalent neurodegenerative diseases characterized by decreased cognition, physical function, and quality of life. Currently, millions of people are living with AD and other dementias. With no cure, research has examined the use of non-pharmacological treatment options including exercise. Many high-quality studies demonstrate that physical activity slows the progression of AD’s many outcomes, and is beneficial to overall quality of life in those living with AD. However, creating exercise interventions at the community level that individuals will adhere to is often a challenge. The Alzheimer’s Society of Canada developed a unique program that combines physical activity with cognitive stimulation in a social atmosphere: The Minds in Motion® program. Minds in Motion® addresses many of the barriers often linked to poor physical activity participation in chronic diseases (such as inclusion of the care partner), to ensure the best program uptake. The Minds in Motion® program has anecdotally been successful in helping to increase physical function and social skills in those living with dementia. However, it is important to connect community-driven programs with the academic research community, to create an opportunity for high quality evaluation metrics that can be disseminated at multiple levels: to research audiences, clinical audiences, and to those in the community. With ongoing collaborations between research and community programs, there is a greater opportunity to understand the positive impact of a program, which ultimately increases the chance of funding for the program. In this editorial, we highlight that community-integrated research is an important priority for future collaborations. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Exercise and Neurodegenerative Disease)
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