Association of Physical Exercise and Locus Coeruleus-Salience Network Functional Connectivity
Nethra Rajeshkumar, Mali Madison, Madeline Stefano, Emily Jon, Sean Lawrence, Elayna Seago, Tae-Ho Lee, Benjamin Katz

TL;DR
This study explores how physical exercise affects brain connectivity related to attention and aging, finding mixed results.
Contribution
The paper investigates the relationship between physical exercise and LC-SN functional connectivity in aging adults.
Findings
Exercise was marginally associated with LC-dACC connectivity but not with LC-insula connectivity.
Exercise was significantly associated with faster task response times in older adults.
Abstract
Physical exercise is a modifiable lifestyle factor that supports brain health and cognition. The locus coeruleus (LC), the brain’s primary source of norepinephrine, plays a critical role in attention, and is among one of the first sites affected by Alzheimer’s-related pathology. Prior research suggests exercise promotes LC integrity, plasticity, and LC-dependent memory improvement. The salience network (SN), including the dorsal anterior cingulate cortex (dACC) and anterior insula, is crucial for identifying and responding to behaviorally relevant stimuli. LC-SN functional connectivity is thought to support efficient attentional control. Investigating the association between exercise and LC-SN connectivity may provide insight into neural resilience in the aging brain in a region implicated in Alzheimer’s pathology. Associations between LC-SN functional connectivity, response time, and…
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Taxonomy
TopicsFunctional Brain Connectivity Studies · Mental Health Research Topics · Dementia and Cognitive Impairment Research
