In a finding that could reshape our understanding of cognitive decline, researchers have uncovered how physical exercise directly activates the brain’s insulin response system, potentially opening new paths for dementia prevention.
A team at Rutgers University-New Brunswick discovered that moderate to high-intensity exercise sessions trigger specialized brain cells to release proteins crucial for insulin sensitivity – the body’s ability to effectively use blood sugar. This mechanism may explain why regular physical activity helps maintain cognitive function as we age.
“We believe this work is important because it suggests exercise may work to improve cognition and memory by improving the abilities of insulin to act on the brain,” said Steven Malin, associate professor in Rutgers’ Department of Kinesiology and Health and the study’s lead author.
The research focused on tiny cellular structures called neuronal extracellular vesicles, which transport essential proteins between brain cells. These vesicles, once considered mere “cell dust,” have gained recognition over the past 15 years as vital players in cellular communication.
In a two-week trial, 21 participants with prediabetes, averaging 60 years old, completed twelve supervised hour-long exercise sessions. Researchers analyzed blood samples before and after the training program, finding increased levels of vesicles carrying insulin-sensitive proteins, particularly one called Akt.
“We showed for the first time that exercise impacts insulin signaling from neuronal extracellular vesicles in relation to clinical improvements in blood sugar,” Malin noted.
The implications extend beyond diabetes prevention. Insulin plays a critical role in memory formation, cognitive processing, and communication between brain cells. When brain tissue becomes resistant to insulin, it can lead to cognitive dysfunction similar to what occurs in Alzheimer’s disease.
Malin explained this breakdown using an analogy: “It’s like playing the game telephone with a friend. At some point the message gets lost when the brain becomes insulin resistant.”
While previous research has shown that elevated blood sugar can impair learning and memory, the exact mechanisms linking exercise to improved brain function have remained unclear. This study provides concrete evidence of how physical activity might help maintain cognitive health.
The research team, which included scientists from the National Institute of Health’s National Institute on Aging, is now investigating whether even a single exercise session can enhance the brain’s response to insulin. They’re measuring brain blood flow and tracking these cellular messengers in older adults with obesity.
The findings, published in the journal Aging Cell, suggest that targeting the brain’s insulin response system could lead to new treatments for preventing cognitive decline. For the millions of Americans with prediabetes who face an increased risk of dementia, this research offers hope that regular exercise might help protect their brain health.
Other contributors to the study included Michal Beeri, director of the Herbert and Jacqueline Krieger Klein Alzheimer’s Research Center at Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, and Daniel Battillo, a doctoral candidate in kinesiology. The National Institute on Aging’s team included Dimitrios Kapogiannis, Maja Mustapic, and Francheska Delgado-Peraza.
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