Table 1

- Enhanced classification of protective interventions for hippocampal function.

Intervention typeAnimal studiesClinical studies
Physical Exercise

  • Voluntary wheel running promotes BDNF expression and neurogenesis in the HC32

  • Treadmill exercise enhances spatial memory and increases synaptic plasticity-related proteins in the HC33

  • Swimming exercise mitigates stress-induced hippocampal damage34

  • - Aerobic exercise boosts hippocampal size in aged adults35

  • Resistance training improves hippocampal-dependent memory in older adults36

  • High-intensity interval training enhances hippocampal neurogenesis and cognitive function37

Environmental Enrichment

  • An enriched environment promotes dendritic branching and spine density in hippocampal neurons38

  • - Environmental enrichment enhances hippocampal neurogenesis and improves spatial memory39

  • An enriched environment mitigates age-related decline in hippocampal function40

  • - Cognitive and social stimulation programs improve hippocampal-dependent cognitive functions in older adults41

  • - Multimodal lifestyle interventions, including cognitive stimulation, show promise in preserving hippocampal volume42

Social Support

  • - Social housing reduces stress-induced hippocampal atrophy in rodents.

  • - Social play enhances hippocampal plasticity in juvenile rats42,43

  • - Strong social networks are linked with higher hippocampal sizes in older adults

  • - Social engagement is related to reduced risk of hippocampal degeneration in early life44,45

Cognitive-Behavioral Interventions

  • - Cognitive training improves hippocampal-dependent memory in aged animals46

  • - CBT for depression increases hippocampal volume

  • - Memory training enhances hippocampal functional connectivity

  • - Cognitive remediation therapy improves hippocampal activation during memory tasks in schizophrenia patients47

Mindfulness Techniques

  • - Mindfulness meditation increases hippocampal neurogenesis in rats48

  • - Mindfulness-based stress reduction increases gray matter concentration in the HC.

  • - Long-term meditation practice is associated with larger hippocampal volumes

  • - Mindfulness training improves hippocampal-dependent memory in older adults49

Dietary Interventions

  • - Omega-3 fatty acid in food intake enhances hippocampal neurogenesis and cognitive function.

  • - Caloric restriction promotes hippocampal neurogenesis and improves memory.

  • - Ketogenic diet enhances hippocampal neuroplasticity50,51

  • - Mediterranean diet is associated with larger hippocampal volumes in older adults

  • - Flavonoid-rich diet improves hippocampal-dependent memory in older adults

  • - Intermittent fasting enhances hippocampal function and neuroplasticity52

Pharmacological Interventions

  • - Antidepressants enhance hippocampal neurogenesis in animals with depression.

  • - HDAC inhibitors enhance hippocampal-dependent memory formation.

  • - BDNF mimetics promote hippocampal plasticity and cognitive function53,54

  • - Lithium treatment increases hippocampal volume in bipolar disorder patients.

  • - SSRIs can enhance the growth of new neurons in the human HC.

  • - Modafinil enhances hippocampal-dependent memory consolidation55