Exeter MR Research Centre
Exercise and Brain Function
Collaborators
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.
