EFEITOS NEUROFISIOLÓGICOS DO EXERCÍCIO FÍSICO NO TRATAMENTO DO TRANSTORNO DE ANSIEDADE GENERALIZADA EM ADULTOS

Abstract

To describe the main neurophysiological mechanisms influenced by physical exercise in the treatment of Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD) in adults, based on existing literature. Method: Bibliographic searches were conducted in the English language, focusing on original studies that investigated neurobiological changes associated with GAD and the effects of physical exercise on neurobiological markers in adults. Results: The neurophysiology of GAD demonstrated structural dysfunctions, such as cortical thinning and reduction of white and gray matter in frontal and limbic regions, and functional dysfunctions, notably the failure in "top-down" inhibitory control of the prefrontal cortex over the amygdala and the hyperactivation of the amygdala during emotional reactivity. Chronic physical exercise was shown to directly combat these deficits, inducing an increase in gray matter volume in the medial frontal gyrus and improving white matter integrity in frontal tracts and the corpus callosum. Acutely, exercise promoted improved mood, correlated with increased functional connectivity between the amygdala and the orbitofrontal cortex, and improved executive functions, linked to an increase in Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor (BDNF). Conclusion: Physical exercise acts as a restorative and optimizing agent for the central nervous system, with the capacity to induce neuroadaptations that reverse the anatomical and functional dysfunctions of GAD.