A recent study from Massachusetts General Hospital has found that physical activity can extend lifespan by five years. Previous research indicated that exercise promotes neurogenesis, the formation of new neurons, which enhances cognitive function, particularly in Alzheimer’s models.
Published in the journal Science, researchers reported that exercise significantly mitigates the brain inflammation associated with Alzheimer’s, preserving its beneficial effects. Lead author Rudolph Tanzi noted, “We demonstrated that exercise is one of the best ways to activate neurogenesis and, by uncovering the molecular and genetic events involved, we determined how to mimic the beneficial effects of exercise through gene therapy and pharmacological agents.”
The study highlighted that adult neurogenesis occurs in the hippocampus and another less-known brain structure called the striatum. While neurogenesis in the adult hippocampus is crucial for learning and memory, its impact on neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer’s remains poorly understood.
The MGH team aimed to explore how impaired neurogenesis in the adult hippocampus contributes to Alzheimer’s pathology and cognitive function in mouse models, and whether enhancing this process could alleviate symptoms.
Experiments showed that adult neurogenesis could be induced through exercise or by pharmacological treatments and gene therapy that promote the birth of neural progenitor cells. Behavioral tests indicated limited cognitive benefits in animals where neurogenesis was induced pharmacologically and genetically. However, those that underwent exercise-induced neurogenesis exhibited improved cognitive performance and reduced beta-amyloid levels.
The researchers concluded, “The key difference was that exercise also relied on the production of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), known for its importance in neuron growth and survival, creating a more favorable brain environment for new neurons.”