Lifestyle and Behavioural Intervention Therapy for Enhanced Hippocampal Neuroplasticity
1
Office of the Vice-President, South African Medical Research Council, Cape Town, South Africa
2
Cochrane South Africa, South African Medical Research Council, Cape Town, South Africa
3
Department of Anatomical Sciences, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand,, Johannesburg, South Africa
4
Department of Genetics, Stellenbosch University, Stellenbosch, South Africa
5
Biomedical Research and Innovation Platform, South African Medical Research Council, Tygerberg, South Africa
6
Division of Medical Physiology, Stellenbosch University, Tygerberg, South Africa
Popul. Med. 2026;8(Supplement Supplement 1):A2591
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND:
The neurogenic and neuroplastic capability of the brain plays a crucial role in mitigating responses to internal and external environmental stimuli. However, this process is inhibited in obesity, neurodegenerative and psychological disorders. To date, there is no real effective way to ameliorate these conditions except for lifestyle and behavioural interventions. Lifestyle interventions, such as dietary regulation, nutrient supplementation, physical activity and environmental enrichment, can positively modulate neurogenic capacity.
METHODS:
This review describes various lifestyle and behavioural modifications including nutritional interventions such as caloric restriction and fasting; the use of nutraceuticals (curcumin and black cumin) and dietary supplementation (Vitamin D and cannabidiol); with the benefit of social interaction, environmental enrichment; and dancing as physical exercise also discussed.
RESULTS:
The findings show that these interventions modulate neurogenesis via two mechanistic pathways by either increasing neuronal stem cell proliferation, or via activation of protective mechanisms to ensure the survival of the endogenous stem cell population. Ideally, multimodal approaches incorporating several of these interventions could be employed to enhance neurogenesis and facilitate constructive neuroplastic remodeling. This has promising potential in supporting brain health and contributing to the management of various neurological conditions, including brain injuries. Importantly, much of the mechanistic insight has been derived from animal studies, which may not fully translate to human biology and behaviour.
CONCLUSIONS:
The observed improvement in the measured outcomes elicited through these interventions cannot be ignored. Thus, the emerging evidence warrants dissemination to clinicians and patients alike, towards bridging the gap between research and application, thereby offering promising non-invasive options to support brain health and promote overall well-being. Further efforts to investigate this topic and research field to identify more evidence-based impacts of lifestyle modifications on neuroplasticity and related processes could prove to be beneficial.
The neurogenic and neuroplastic capability of the brain plays a crucial role in mitigating responses to internal and external environmental stimuli. However, this process is inhibited in obesity, neurodegenerative and psychological disorders. To date, there is no real effective way to ameliorate these conditions except for lifestyle and behavioural interventions. Lifestyle interventions, such as dietary regulation, nutrient supplementation, physical activity and environmental enrichment, can positively modulate neurogenic capacity.
METHODS:
This review describes various lifestyle and behavioural modifications including nutritional interventions such as caloric restriction and fasting; the use of nutraceuticals (curcumin and black cumin) and dietary supplementation (Vitamin D and cannabidiol); with the benefit of social interaction, environmental enrichment; and dancing as physical exercise also discussed.
RESULTS:
The findings show that these interventions modulate neurogenesis via two mechanistic pathways by either increasing neuronal stem cell proliferation, or via activation of protective mechanisms to ensure the survival of the endogenous stem cell population. Ideally, multimodal approaches incorporating several of these interventions could be employed to enhance neurogenesis and facilitate constructive neuroplastic remodeling. This has promising potential in supporting brain health and contributing to the management of various neurological conditions, including brain injuries. Importantly, much of the mechanistic insight has been derived from animal studies, which may not fully translate to human biology and behaviour.
CONCLUSIONS:
The observed improvement in the measured outcomes elicited through these interventions cannot be ignored. Thus, the emerging evidence warrants dissemination to clinicians and patients alike, towards bridging the gap between research and application, thereby offering promising non-invasive options to support brain health and promote overall well-being. Further efforts to investigate this topic and research field to identify more evidence-based impacts of lifestyle modifications on neuroplasticity and related processes could prove to be beneficial.
| eISSN: | 2654-1459 |
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