The benefits of exercise on the aging brain

As individuals grow older, cognitive decline becomes a common concern, impacting memory and learning abilities. The areas of the brain responsible for these functions, such as the hippocampus and adjacent cortices, are among the first to be affected by aging. However, recent studies have shed light on the incredible benefits of exercise, particularly during middle age, and how it can positively impact the aging brain.

The Study: Effects of Long-Term Running on the Brain's Network of Newly Generated Neurons in Young Adult Mice during Middle Age

Researchers from Florida Atlantic University and CINVESTAV in Mexico City conducted a study focusing on the effects of long-term running on the brain's network of newly generated neurons in young adult mice during middle age. The findings of this study offer valuable insights that should motivate adults to incorporate exercise into their lives, especially in middle age.

Preservation of Connections of Mature Neurons and Potential Prevention or Delay of Memory Loss and Neurodegeneration

The study discovered that consistent running throughout middle age can preserve the connections of mature neurons in the hippocampus, potentially preventing or delaying memory loss and neurodegeneration associated with aging. These mature neurons, crucial for memory function, are believed to play a temporary role during a critical period early in their development. It's not known if these neurons stay connected in the brain and can be changed by exercise later in life.

Modifying Neural Network and Increasing Survival of Adult-Born Neurons

To address these questions, the researchers employed a unique method using a virus-based tracing technique to analyze the neural circuitry of adult-born neurons in rodents. They tagged these neurons with a fluorescent marker and examined their connections within the hippocampus and related areas when the mice reached middle age, more than six months later.

The results, published in the journal eNeuro, revealed that long-term running had a significant impact on the mature neurons born during early adulthood. Running increased their survival and modified their neural network, ensuring their active involvement in cognitive processes essential for memory encoding during aging.

Boosting the Number of Adult-Born Neurons and Enhancing their Connections with Other Cells in the Brain

The study also found that long-term running boosted the number of adult-born neurons and enhanced their connections with other cells in the brain. This improvement is crucial for pattern separation, which is our ability to distinguish between similar events and stimuli—a behaviour closely linked to adult neurogenesis. The decline in this ability is among the earliest signs of age-related memory decline.

In summary, regular physical activity, particularly during middle age, can help maintain cognitive function and prevent memory decline. Long-term running in middle age can preserve connections between mature neurons in the hippocampus, potentially preventing or delaying memory loss and neurodegeneration. Running increases the survival and modifies the neural network of adult-born neurons, promoting their participation in cognitive processes essential for memory encoding during aging. Furthermore, long-term running also boosts the number of adult-born neurons and enhances their connections with other cells in the brain, which are crucial for pattern separation and age-related memory decline. These findings offer valuable insights into the benefits of exercise on the aging brain and should motivate individuals to incorporate physical activity into their daily lives.