Be Fit, Be Sharp, Be Well: The Case for Exercise as a Treatment for Cognitive Impairment in Late-life Depression.

Objective: To lay out the argument that exercise impacts neurobiological targets common to both mood and cognitive functioning, and thus more research should be conducted on its use as an alternative or adjunctive treatment for cognitive impairment in late-life depression (LLD).

Method: This narrative review summarizes the literature on cognitive impairment in LLD, describes the structural and functional brain changes and neurochemical changes that are linked to both cognitive impairment and mood disruption, and explains how exercise targets these same neurobiological changes and can thus provide an alternative or adjunctive treatment for cognitive impairment in LLD.

Results: Cognitive impairment is common in LLD and predicts recurrence of depression, poor response to antidepressant treatment, and overall disability.