Runze Liu1  · Qianting Deng1  · Li Gong2  · Luodan Yang1

1 Laboratory of Exercise and Neurobiology, School of Physical Education and Sports Science, South China Normal University, Guangzhou 510006, China 

2 Experimental Animal Center, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510515, China

Abstract

Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is a widespread neurodegenerative condition with cognitive and behavioral decline. Astrocytes and microglia, the primary glial cells in the central nervous system, are deeply involved in AD development. Their functional impairments, such as astrocytic shifts in phenotype, blood-brain barrier breakdown, and glymphatic failure, along with microglial “dual phagocytic dysfunction”, including impaired amyloid-beta (Aβ) clearance and overactive phagocytosis of healthy synapses, imbalanced inflammation, and metabolic abnormalities, are key drivers of disease progression. Growing research indicates that physical activity, as a non-drug intervention, exerts significant regulatory effects on glial cell function. Exercise regulates the polarization of both astrocytes and microglia, enhances their phagocytic abilities, improves mitochondrial metabolism, and alleviates neuroinflammatory responses. This review outlines the normal physiological roles of astrocytes and microglia, details their pathological alterations in AD, and explores how exercise targets these glial cells to alleviate AD pathology, offering valuable perspectives for potential therapeutic approaches.

Keywords

Alzheimer’s disease; Exercise; Astrocytes; Microglia

[SpringerLink]