How Movement Affects the Mind: The Effects of Physical Activity on Brain Physiology and Function

The human brain evolved in an environment where movement was required for survival. Though western culture lends itself to a sedentary lifestyle, research has revealed that physical activity enhances the brain in a myriad of ways. In this course we will examine the effects of physical activity on brain structure, physiology, and function. How does exercise affect our behavior and what are the mechanisms underlying these effects? We will explore these answers from the cellular/molecular to the structural/functional level in both the healthy as well as the disordered brain.