Sporting activity allows brain cells to regrow, thus protecting against Alzheimer's

Sport releases the protective Alzheimer's hormone irisin

Can sport and physical activity protect people from the onset of Alzheimer's? Researchers have now discovered that physical activity triggers a hormone that can contribute to the regrowth of brain cells. This seems to lead to improved protection against Alzheimer's.

Researchers at Columbia University have found in their recent research that exercise in humans reduces the risk of Alzheimer's disease by protecting a released hormone called irisin from memory loss and brain damage. The physicians published the results of their study in the English language journal "Nature Medicine".

Sport protects the brain

A new series of studies has shown that a hormone released during exercise (Irisin) can protect Alzheimer's patients and animals from memory loss and brain damage. In experiments on mice, the experts noticed that the animals did not develop memory disorders, although they were infused with beta-amyloid (the protein involved in the development of Alzheimer's deposited in the brain). The reason could be the physical activity of the mice. The animals swam nearly every one for a period of five weeks, say the experts.

People should do more sport

This finding suggests that exercise and activity can actually protect against the onset of dementia. In addition, the medicine Irisin seems to have a potential to prevent the disease, explain the doctors. The findings should encourage people to do more sports, which would enhance their brain function and overall health, adds study author Professor Dr. Ottavio Arancio from Columbia University added. However, exercise is unfortunately not possible for all people, especially for people with age-related diseases such as heart disease, arthritis or dementia. Especially for these individuals, there is a particular need for drugs that can mimic the effects of irisin, protect synapses and prevent cognitive decline, the expert stresses. Despite decades of research and many studies, however, no drug has yet been found that cancels or prevents Alzheimer's.

Irisin promotes the growth of brain cells in the hippocampus

The hormone irisin promotes the growth of brain cells in the hippocampus, a region of the brain associated with memory and learning. Only two areas of the brain can regrow brain cells in adulthood, and the hippocampus is one of the first areas that deteriorate in people with Alzheimer's disease. Irisin could help explain why physical activity improves memory and seems to play a protective role in brain diseases such as Alzheimer's disease. Arancio.

People with Alzheimer's have lower irisin levels

Using tissue samples from brain banks, the scientists found that irisin is present in the human hippocampus and that hormone levels in the hippocampus are lower in people with Alzheimer's disease. Animal studies of the effects of irisin on the brain have found that it protects brain synapses and memory. When iris was deactivated in the hippocampus of healthy mice, the synapses and memory were weakened. Increasing the level of irisin in the brain improved synapse and memory.

Further research is needed

The blockade of irisin with a drug completely eliminated the benefits of swimming for the memory of the mice, say the researchers. Mice that were floated and treated with irisin blocking agents did not perform better in memory tests than the other animals after administration of beta-amyloid infusions. The scientists are now looking for pharmaceutical agents that can increase the hormone in the brain or mimic its effect. (As)