Plasma proteomic signatures of aerobic and motor exercise and episodic memory in older adults
In an exploratory secondary analysis of 34 healthy older adults, aerobic exercise and gross motor training shared 24 changed plasma proteins, aerobic exercise had 33 more, and episodic memory improved after aerobic exercise. [1]
Automatic summary · not editorially reviewed
The key findings
Plasma samples came from 34 healthy older adults before and after a 12-week intervention, with random assignment to aerobic exercise, gross motor abilities or cognitive training. [1]
Aerobic exercise and gross motor abilities shared 24 differentially abundant proteins, and 33 proteins were specifically associated with aerobic exercise. [1]
Episodic memory improved after aerobic exercise, and a 51-protein signature was associated with changes in Delayed Recall performance. [1]
The source at a glance
- Study type / format
- Exploratory secondary analysis of a randomized 12-week intervention with plasma proteomics.
- Population / context
- 34 healthy, physically inactive older adults.
- Summary based on
- Study abstract
- Original publication
- September 15, 2026
34 older adults in three 12-week training groups
The source describes an exploratory secondary analysis of plasma samples from 34 healthy older adults, described as physically inactive. Samples were taken before and after a 12-week intervention. Participants were randomly assigned to aerobic exercise, gross motor abilities or cognitive training. An inflammation-centered proteomic analysis examined plasma proteins, and changes in protein levels were explored for associations with changes in cognitive function.
Supporting source [1]
Shared 24 proteins, 33 more with aerobic exercise
Comparative analyses found a common signature of 24 differentially abundant proteins shared by the aerobic exercise and gross motor abilities groups. A further signature of 33 proteins was specifically associated with aerobic exercise. Pathway enrichment analyses suggested these signatures relate to biological processes involved in immune regulation and vascular adaptation. Episodic memory improved following aerobic exercise, and exploratory analyses linked a 51-protein signature to changes in Delayed Recall performance.
Supporting source [1]
Exploratory associations, not proven mechanisms
The authors describe this as an exploratory secondary analysis in healthy physically inactive older adults. Different exercise modalities were associated with both shared and distinct inflammatory-related plasma proteomic signatures, and these signatures were also associated with improvements in episodic memory. The authors state this generates hypotheses about biological processes that may contribute to exercise-related cognitive benefits. Associations are not causes, and the abstract does not report effect sizes or how long effects persisted.
Supporting source [1]
How to interpret this
Abstract only; the full text was not reviewed. This is an exploratory secondary analysis with 34 participants, and the abstract reports no effect sizes, no follow-up beyond the 12-week program and no causal conclusions.
Based on the study abstract; the full paper, tables and supplementary data were not reviewed.
Source & supporting passages
Mury P, Jaulgey K, Vrinceanu T, Pothier K, Berryman N, Intzandt B, Lussier M, Vu TM, Nigam A, Bosquet L, Karelis AD, Li KZH, Bherer L. · europepmc.org · September 15, 2026