Figure 2. Physical activities enhance hippocampal neurogenesis through interactions between IGF-1 and BDNF. Systematic and CNS inflammation is inhibited following chronic aerobic exercise, reversing the inhibition of IGF-1 signaling and subsequently increases neural IGF-1 uptake. Besides, glutamate release also increases in response to exercise. Under the regulation of CREB, BDNF expression in hippocampal neurons uptaking IGF-1 or glutamate increases. Exercise-induced alternations in hippocampus eventually lead to neurogenesis improvement and are shown in cognitive benefits. Other kinases involved in the pathways are not listed in the figure.