Aerobic exercise stimulates the growth of new brain cells and improves the memory and ability to learn, neuroscientists from University of Cambridge and the US National Institute on Aging have found in experiments with mice.

Running mice grew an average of 6,000 new brain cells per cubic millimeter in the dentate gyrus part of the hippocampus.

The researchers speculate that the effect may be due to increased blood flow, elevation of certain hormone levels, or reduction in the level of the hormone cortisol, which is associated with stress.