Figure 1.

Summary of the effects of lifestyle factors on cognition and how physical exercise (PE) modifies them. Cardiovascular risk factors have the common effect of disrupting endothelial cell function, while poor sleep impacts white matter integrity and clearance of toxic proteins. PE has been shown to decrease risk of developing vascular risk factors and improve quality of sleep, both of which decrease the likelihood of cognitive decline. CVD: cardiovascular disease; NO: nitric oxide; eNOS: endothelial nitric oxide synthase.