Exercise is widely known to be beneficial for the body, aiding in maintaining health, preventing disease, and enhancing mental well-being. Despite these advantages, the aging process presents challenges that exercise alone may struggle to overcome. However, a recent study on mice published in the journal aged cells suggests that physical activity may play a role in keeping the mind youthful.
This research reveals that physical activity has the potential to slow cognitive decline by revitalizing the brain’s immune cells and stimulating neurogenesis.
The study delved into the intricacies of the brain, focusing on gene expression in individual cells. The results showed that exercise could significantly impact microglial gene expression, reversing age-related changes and mirroring patterns seen in younger microglia.
Furthermore, these findings indicate that microglia are crucial in mediating exercise’s positive effects on neurogenesis in the hippocampus, a region important for memory and learning.
Notably, exercise not only prevented but also reduced age-related T cells in the hippocampus, which typically increase as we age and contribute to cognitive decline.
The lead authors, including Professor Jana Vukovic, expressed surprise and enthusiasm for the potential of exercise to rejuvenate the brain’s immune system and counteract age-related effects.
As the global population ages, understanding the impact of lifestyle factors like exercise on brain function becomes increasingly crucial in promoting healthy aging and combating cognitive decline.
This study sets the stage for tailored exercise interventions to support cognitive well-being in older adults and underscores the broader benefits of physical activity beyond physical fitness.
About the experts
Jana Vukovic is an Associate Professor and Viertel Snr Medical Research Fellow at the University of Queensland, Australia, with expertise in studying the interaction between brain function and the immune system. Her work delves into the role of microglia and peripheral immune cells in learning and memory in mice, with research published in respected journals like nature communications and the Neuroinflammation Journal.
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Source: www.sciencefocus.com
