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Can Exercise Reverse Neurodegeneration?

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Research Promising, but with Caveats 

Neurodegenerative diseases are conditions characterized by the progressive degeneration of nerve cells in the central and peripheral nervous systems. Common examples include Alzheimer’s Disease, Parkinson’s Disease, and Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS). These diseases usually lead to cognitive decline, motor dysfunction, and impaired daily functioning. Though they are often age-related, they can also be caused by genetic or environmental factors. Read more about these diseases at “Understanding Neurodegenerative Diseases.” 

While it’s well-known that exercise has numerous benefits for the human body, could it also help improve symptoms of neurodegeneration or even slow the progression of certain neurodegenerative diseases? A recent pilot study from researchers at Yale University suggests that high-intensity exercise can protect and possibly reverse neurodegeneration in Parkinson’s. The study of 10 patients found that aerobic exercise preserved dopamine-producing neurons, improving their health and dopamine production. These findings, published at “High-intensity Exercise May Reverse Neurodegeneration in Parkinson’s Disease”, show exercise’s potential brain-level benefits for Parkinson’s. 

Parkinson’s is a neurodegenerative disorder caused by misfolded alpha synuclein protein, damaging dopamine-producing neurons in a small region in the midbrain called the substantia nigra, leading to motor symptoms and gradual progression. These researchers studied early-stage Parkinson’s patients who hadn’t lost all of their dopamine-producing neurons. After a two-week trial, participants underwent brain scans to measure neuromelanin levels and dopamine transporter (DAT) availability. Ten participants completed a six-month high-intensity exercise program that aimed to elevate their heart rates through these workouts and wore heart rate monitors to track their progress. After six months, MRI and PET scans were repeated to assess changes in brain function. 

 

Interested in learning more about how the nervous system functions, nature’s impact on the nervous systems of the living and the unborn, and where you might first experience signs of neurodegeneration? Listen to this episode of the Science Diction podcast from MRIGlobal!

After six months of high-intensity exercise, brain imaging showed significant increases in neuromelanin and DAT signals in the substantia nigra, indicating improved health of dopamine-producing neurons. This suggests that exercise not only slowed Parkinson’s disease progression but also supported neuronal health. The study emphasizes exercise as a crucial part of Parkinson’s treatment, as current medications only address symptoms. While promising, further research is needed to fully understand exercise’s neuroprotective effects. The researchers hope their work inspires more studies on exercise’s potential to modify the course of neurodegenerative diseases like Parkinson’s. 

Exercise Has Its Caveats
Unfortunately, there are caveats to the impact that exercise can have on neurodegenerative diseases, as it doesn’t slow or reverse all symptoms. Slow-channel congenital myasthenic syndrome (SCCMS), also known as “slow-channel syndrome,” is a rare, inherited neuromuscular disorder. It is caused by mutations in the acetylcholine receptor (AChR) that lead to prolonged opening of AChR channels. This leads to excess calcium leakage into the muscle fiber, leading to calcium overload and degeneration of the neuromuscular junction, which results in muscle weakness and other symptoms. When patients with this disease exercise, those channels open more, allowing an over-abundance of calcium in their muscles, which is toxic. Instead of getting the benefit of exercise, it is causing additional muscle degeneration.  

While exercise has shown promising benefits in slowing down or potentially reversing some aspects of neurodegeneration, it’s clear that it is not a wholistic solution for all neurodegenerative diseases and further research is needed. Read more about the causes of these diseases at “What Causes Neurodegenerative Diseases?”.

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