Why does physical exertion improve mental health? Researchers in Boston may have uncovered an answer. A new study has revealed why exercise may prevent Alzheimer’s disease, potentially paving the way for new treatments for the incurable condition.
Top Secrets To Alzheimer’s Prevention Continue
During exercise, the body secretes the hormone irisin, according to experts at Massachusetts General Hospital. This hormone has been shown to reduce the plaques and tangles in the brain that are typically associated with the onset of Alzheimer’s disease.
In mouse experiments, physical activity has consistently been shown to reduce amyloid beta deposits, but the precise mechanisms underlying this effect were unknown until now.
The study, published in the journal Neuron, clarifies this enigma and suggests potential avenues for the prevention and treatment of Alzheimer’s disease, the most common form of dementia.
The team at Massachusetts General Hospital (Mass General) played a pioneering role in the advancement of the initial 3D human cell culture models specifically designed for Alzheimer’s disease.
The aforementioned models demonstrate two fundamental attributes of the disease, namely the development of amyloid beta deposits and the subsequent production of tau tangles inside the brain.
There is much documentation supporting the notion that physical activity induces an increase in the concentration of irisin, a hormone generated from muscle tissue.
This hormone plays a crucial role in the glucose and lipid metabolism within adipose tissues while stimulating energy expenditure via the conversion of white adipose tissue into brown adipose tissue.
Previous studies have provided evidence suggesting the presence of irisin in the brains of both humans and mice. However, the quantities of this substance are reduced in persons diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease.
Utilizing the acquired knowledge, the study team proceeded to incorporate irisin into their three-dimensional cell culture model of Alzheimer’s disease.
According to Dr. Se Hoon Choi, in a media release, it was observed that the administration of irisin resulted in a significant decrease in amyloid beta pathology.
Furthermore, our study demonstrated that the observed effect of irisin can be attributed to the heightened activity of neprilysin, which can be attributed to the elevated secretion of neprilysin from astrocytes, a kind of brain cells. I know, a lot of fancy words on here. 🤯🤭
It is worth mentioning that the presence of neprilysin, an enzyme responsible for the degradation of amyloid beta, has been detected in the brains of mice subjected to exercise.
To Summarize
Prior research has additionally exhibited that the introduction of irisin into the circulatory system of mice can effectively penetrate the brain, hence suggesting its prospective therapeutic efficacy.
According to Rudolph Tanzi, Ph.D., the director of the Genetics and Aging Research Unit and a senior author of the study, our research findings suggest that irisin plays a significant role in the elevation of neprilysin levels caused by exercise, resulting in a decrease in amyloid beta accumulation.
This discovery proposes a novel therapeutic pathway that could be targeted for the prevention and treatment of Alzheimer’s disease. Thank you for stopping by and reading the top secrets to Alzheimer’s prevention. God bless. 🙌🏿