Scientists Find Brain Protein Linking Exercise to Improved Cognitive Function

A recent study discusses a recently discovered protein that scientists have linked to brain health via exercise. 

According to researchers from the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and Harvard Medical School, they explain that the well-known capacity of endurance exercise helps to improve cognitive function, particularly in older individuals. For instance, if the protein can be made in a stable form and developed into a drug, it might lead to improved therapies for cognitive decline in older people and slow the toll of neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's and Parkinson's.

"What is exciting is that a natural substance can be given in the bloodstream that can mimic some of the effects of endurance exercise on the brain," said Bruce Spiegelman, PhD, of Dana-Farber and HMS. He is co-senior author of the publication with Michael E. Greenberg, PhD, chair of neurobiology at HMS, via a press release.

Background information from the study shows that exercise stimulates BDNF in the hippocampus that was one of the only two areas of the adult brain that can generate new nerve cells. The study notes that BDNF promotes development of new nerves and synapses via connections between nerves.

The findings linked exercise, including PGC-1α, FNDC5 and BDNF in order to provide a molecular pathway for the effect.

 "Perhaps the most exciting result overall is that peripheral deliver of FNDC5 with adenoviral vectors is sufficient to induce central expression of Bdnf and other genes with potential neuroprotective functions or those involved in learning and memory," the authors said. Spiegelman cautioned that further research is needed to determine whether giving FNDC5 actually improves cognitive function in the animals. The scientists also aren't sure whether the protein that got into the brain is FNDC5 itself, or irisin, or perhaps another variant of the protein.

Spiegelman said that development of irisin as a drug will require creating a more stable form of the protein.

More information regarding the study can be found via Cell Metabolism.