Exeter MR Research Centre

Exercise and Brain Function

Collaborators

Kate
Dr Kate J V Rensburg
(Moffitt Cancer Center)
Tim
Prof Timothy Hodgson
(Lincoln University)

The effects of exercise on cigarette cravings and brain activation in response to smoking-related images

Rationale Smokers show heightened activation toward smoking-related stimuli and experience increased cravings which can precipitate smoking cessation relapse. Exercise can be effective for modulating cigarette cravings and attenuating reactivity to smoking cues, but the mechanism by which these effects occur remains uncertain.

The objective of the study was to assess the effect of exercise on regional brain activation in response to smokingrelated images during temporary nicotine abstinence.

References

Van.Rensburg K.J, Taylor A, Benattayallah A, Hodgson T. The effects of exercise on cigarette cravings and brain activation in response to smoking-related images.. In Psychopharmacology, 2012.

Van.Rensburg K.J, Taylor A, Hodgson T, Benattayallah A. Acute exercise modulates cigarette cravings and brain activation in response to smoking-related images: an fMRI study. In Psychopharmacology, 203 (3): 589-598, April 2009.