Abstract
Regular physical activity (PA) is beneficial for cognitive health, and cathepsin B (CTSB) - a protease released by skeletal muscle during PA - acts as a potential molecular mediator of this association. PA-induced metabolic and mechanical stress appears to increase plasma/serum CTSB levels. CTSB facilitates neurogenesis and synaptic plasticity in brain regions (e.g., hippocampus and prefrontal cortex) that support performance in specific cognitive domains including memory, learning, and executive function. However, the evidence regarding the role of PA-induced changes in CTSB as a mediator of PA-induced cognitive health in humans is mixed. To guide future research, this article identifies key factors that may explain the observed heterogeneity in the findings from human studies and proposes a PA-CTSB-cognition model.
Published Version
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