The brain is fine – thanks to the charging

Running Helps Cure Brain Injuries in Mice

Julia Korowski, XX2 century, based on EurekAlert: Running triggers production of a molecule that repairs the brain in animal models

Scientists at the Ottawa Hospital Research Institute have discovered that a molecule released by the body when running restores some brain damage in animals. A protein called VGF, or VGF nerve growth factor inducible (VGF, induced by nerve growth factor), treats the protective sheath of nerve fibers. The results of the new study are published in the journal Cell Reports (Alvarez-Saavedra et al., Voluntary Running Triggers VGF-Mediated Oligodendrogenesis to Prolong the Lifespan of Snf2h-Null Ataxic Mice).

"This discovery has inspired us, and now we plan to study the molecular pathway responsible for the positive effects of VGF that we have observed," says a member of the scientific group, David J. Picketts (David J. Picketts). "It is clear to us that VGF plays an important role in starting the process of repairing damaged brain areas." The researchers studied genetically modified mice with a small cerebellum – this area is responsible for the coordination of movements and regulation of balance. It is difficult for such animals to walk, and they live only 25-40 days. However, those rodents who were given a treadmill could last up to 12 months – which is much closer to the average lifespan of a mouse. Runners gained more weight and developed a better sense of balance. But all these advantages of physical education were preserved as long as the animals continued to "train". If the wheel was removed, the symptoms returned, and the rodents could not live for a year.

Studying the brains of mice, scientists found that the protective membranes of nerve fibers in the cerebellum of runners were thicker than in sedentary animals. To find out why running causes this effect, the researchers compared the expression of animal genes and suggested that VGF is one of the hundreds of molecules that muscles and the brain secrete during exercise. It has an antidepressant effect, and this is one of the reasons for an increase in mood during sports. When scientists delivered the VGF protein into the bloodstream of a sedentary mouse using a non-replicative (that is, unable to reproduce) of course, this affected the animal in the same way as daily exercise – the protective shell in the damaged areas of the cerebellum became thicker, and the symptoms of the disease became less pronounced.

Figure from an article in Cell Reports – VM

"We saw that the neurons became more stable, they were better isolated," says the study's lead author, Dr. Matías Alvarez–Saavedra. "It means that the diseased neurons worked better, and the damaged brain circuits strengthened and began to function better." But, as usual, it's too early to rejoice and draw final conclusions. "To understand whether this molecule can be useful in the treatment of multiple sclerosis and other neurodegenerative diseases, we need to continue research," concludes Picketts.

Portal "Eternal youth" http://vechnayamolodost.ru  12.10.2016