Exercise can increase neuroplasticity
stroke
STROKE, CORTEX
That iTBS response was greater in the exercise group might indicate increased potential for neuroplasticity after moderate intensity exercise. There is evidence that iTBS can induce an effect that resembles long-term potentiation in the human cortex. Pharmacological studies found that administration of NMDA receptor antagonists blocked after-effects of iTBS, suggesting increases in excitability following iTBS might be due to short-term changes in efficacy of synaptic connectionsAlthough not evaluated here, BDNF is one possible mechanism that may underpin increased neuroplasticity following exercise. BDNF appears to have a role in regulating synaptic plasticity through both structural and functional effects that act on excitatory and inhibitory synapses in many brain regionsOur findings are well aligned with previous studies. For example, in a small sample of 16 patients with stroke, a 20-min bout of high-intensity interval cycling led to a greater long-term potentiation like effect measured with paired-associative stimulation