Exercise has long been known to be beneficial for the brain . But until now it was not clear why. American researchers claim to have revealed the unknown after identifying a molecule called irisin that is produced in the brain when we practice resistance physical exercise and that has neuroprotective effects, as published in the journal Cell Metabolism .
In their experiments, Bruce Spiegelman and colleagues at the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and Harvard University found that a molecule called FNDC5 and its derivative product, irisin, are elevated by resistance exercise in the brain and increase the expression of a growth factor called brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) that improves cognitive function and decreases the symptoms of neurological diseases. In addition, by artificially increasing the levels of irisin in the blood, they were able to activate the genes involved in learning and memory .
"Our results indicate that FNDC5 / irisin has the ability to control a very important neuroprotective pathway in the brain," explains Spiegelman. The researchers plan to work on developing a stable form of the protein irisin that can be injected into mice, thereby increasing natural brain degeneration pathways and preventing Alzheimer's, depression, and other disorders. .
