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Updated: Apr 11, 2026
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Author Spotlight: Investigating the Effects of Mind-Body-Movement Practices on Brain Function
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Causal relationships between somatic movement, brain structures, and mental well-being: A multi-stage Mendelian
Lixin Guo1,2,3, Yuhao Shen1,2,3, Jie Wen1,2,3
1Department of Radiology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China.
Psychological Medicine
|April 10, 2026
Summary
Physical activity boosts mental well-being, while sedentary behavior harms it. Brain structure changes, particularly in the piriform cortex, mediate this link, revealing key mechanisms for mental health.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Behavioral Science
- Genetics
Background:
- Established links exist between physical activity, mental well-being, and brain health.
- Causal relationships and underlying mechanisms require further investigation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the causal effects of somatic movement on mental well-being and brain structures.
- To explore the mediating role of brain structures in the somatic movement-mental well-being relationship.
Main Methods:
- Multi-stage Mendelian randomization analysis.
- Utilized genome-wide association study summary data.
- Examined four somatic movement measures, two mental well-being indices, and 13 brain structures.
Main Results:
- Physical activity causally linked to improved mental well-being (life satisfaction, positive affect).
- Sedentary behavior (leisure screen time, work) causally linked to lower mental well-being.
- Sedentary behavior associated with reduced brain structure volume, surface area, and gyrification; piriform cortex surface area mediated this effect.
Conclusions:
- Confirms causal links between physical activity, sedentary behavior, mental well-being, and brain health.
- Elucidates neural mechanisms, highlighting piriform cortex involvement in sedentary behavior's negative mental health impact.
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