Mapping Neurophysiological Responses to Exercise in Humans

Exercise is a powerful therapeutic intervention with unmatched protective effects against metabolic, inflammatory, and neurodegenerative diseases. Numerous efforts have focused on identifying circulating factors that mediate the beneficial effects of exercise. In contrast, the neural mechanisms underlying these benefits remain poorly understood, particularly in humans, where direct studies linking systemic and central nervous responses during exercise are scarce. This project aims to fill this critical knowledge gap by leveraging high-density EEG combined with peripheral biomarker and neural profiling to create a multimodal map of the neurophysiological response to exercise. We propose a three-staged approach. First, we will identify exercise-induced neural network reorganization by comparing pre- and post-exercise EEG patterns to explore the neurologic changes that may underlie exercise's cognitive benefits. Second, we will map the temporal dynamics of central nervous system activity during exercise to capture real-time neural adaptations as they unfold during physical exertion. Third, we will characterize the integration of brain activity and peripheral biomarkers to identify how systemic physiological responses communicate with and influence central nervous system function. These innovative studies uniquely bridge central nervous and peripheral measurements to provide a holistic understanding of how exercise alters human neurophysiology in real-time. By utilizing the state-of-the-art resources at the Koret Human Neurosciences Community Lab, we will establish a scalable framework for investigating the neurophysiology of exercise. The findings will advance our fundamental understanding of exercise biology, identify candidate neural pathways that may mediate its benefits, and lay the groundwork for targeted interventions to improve health and combat disease.