Exercise-related changes in BDNF, IGF, VEGF and PDGF were measured in older adults
Changes in hippocampal perfusion, volume (via 7 T MRI) and memory were assessed
Fitness-related vascular hippocampal plasticity was not linked to growth factors
Changes in IGF-I, hippocampal volume and memory were linked independent of exercise
Potential reasons for negative findings and methodological shortcomings are discussed