Activation of endogenous mechanisms of sanogenesis in cognitive impairment in cerebral small vessel disease

Cerebrovascular diseases themselves are the second most common cause of cognitive impairment (dementia). In addition, cerebral small vessel disease (CSVD) makes a significant contribution to the clinical picture of neurodegenerative diseases. Since there are currently no pharmacological treatments for CSVD, a promising method is the activation of the endogenous mechanisms of sanogenesis. The article provides an overview of clinical studies that assess the effect of physical exercise on the clinical and MRI picture of CSVD. It has been established that the mechanisms of sanogenesis during exercise include control of vascular risk factors, improvement of endothelial function and regulation of exerkine secretion. The effectiveness of exercise depends on the type of exercise (aerobic or resistance training) and the gender of the person. Resistance training has a higher therapeutic potential. Understanding these aspects will help improve the exercise program to achieve maximum benefit in patients with CSVD.