Exercise ‘could REVERSE dementia’ – key hormone ‘protects the brain from Alzheimer’s disease’
We all know that exercise can work wonders for us physically, but it may keep our brains young and functioning too
A HORMONE naturally released during exercise may protect the brain against Alzheimer's, scientists suggest.
New evidence shows that irisin, a protein generated by muscle tissue, may help in protecting the mental faculties.
Scientists from the US and Brazil have found lower levels of the hormone in the brains of Alzheimer's sufferers compared to healthy individuals.
The research, led by Dr Fernana de Felice, from the Federal University of Rio de Janeiro in Brazil, has concluded that bolstering irisin, either with drugs or through exercise, could provide a "novel strategy" for preventing cognitive decline in patients with Alzheimer's disease.
The study was conducted on genetically engineered mice and involved cutting irisin levels to analyse learning and memory decline.
Scientists were able to reverse the impairment by restoring the hormone.
While this shows the very real mental benefits exercise might have (as well as all the physical ones), further research is needed
understand exactly how irisin enters the brain and interacts with it.
And of course, we need to see some human trials.
British experts pointed out that the research, though promising, was at a very early stage.
Dr Rosa Sancho, from the charity Alzheimer's Research UK, said: "We know that physical activity is linked to better brain health as we age, and this research highlights a biological mechanism that may contribute to this beneficial effect.
Symptoms of Azheimer's disease
Alzheimer's is a form of vascular dementia - the most common form of the disease in the UK.
If the vascular system within the brain becomes damaged - so that the blood vessels leak or become blocked - then blood cannot reach the brain cells and they will eventually die.
This death of brain cells can cause problems with memory, thinking or reasoning, and when these cognitive problems are bad enough to impact on daily life, it is known as vascular dementia.
Many cases of dementia start with early warning signs.
This early stage is known as cognitive impairment and can be barely noticeable or mistaken for something else, such as depression.
These include slight:
- slowness of thought
- difficulty with planning
- trouble with language
- problems with attention and concentration
- mood or behavioural changes
"These interesting findings present a new avenue for future research that could help us better understand how exercise programmes could be targeted to provide the greatest benefit to brain health.
"There are many people either with dementia or at high risk of dementia, who have health conditions that make regular exercise more difficult.
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"Drugs designed to target the hormone identified in this research could potentially bring some of the benefits of physical activity to people who may be less able to exercise."
Dr James Pickett, head of research at the Alzheimer's Society charity, said: "Although this study was only in mice, it adds to mounting evidence of the relationship between lifestyle factors, like physical fitness, and dementia.
"This is a promising avenue for more research and potential new therapies in future."
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