A new study suggests that running can help improve memory by boosting levels of a certain protein in the blood.
Although proteins have previously been shown to increase exercise-induced neuron growth, the new research has found that the protein cathepsin B could also play a role, and is the first to look at the protein's effect on spatial learning.
A collaborative study by US and German researchers, the work further explored the effects of cathepsin B, a protein that can be secreted by muscle tissue and transported to the brain, after positive preliminary findings.
The research looked at the effects of the protein in groups of mice, comparing memory recall in normal mice able to produce cathepsin B, with memory recall in mice lacking the ability to produce cathepsin B under both sedentary and running conditions.
The mice were observed for a week, during which they all did a daily swim test in a Morris water maze, a small pool with a hidden platform placed just below the surface of the water, which the mice must learn to swim to.
After a few days all mice had learned the location of the platform, however when both groups ran before their daily swim test, it was the normal mice who were better able to recall the location of the platform, with the mice who didn't produce the protein unable to remember.
Senior author Henriette van Praag added that "We also have converging evidence from our study that cathepsin B is upregulated in blood by exercise for three species-mice, Rhesus monkeys, and humans. Moreover, in humans who exercise consistently for four months, better performance on complex recall tasks, such as drawing from memory, is correlated with increased cathepsin B levels."
However the results of the study do not give a clear answer on cathepsin B's role.
The protein is also secreted by tumors, with associations also found between cathepsin B and cell death. And although some studies have found a link between the protein and amyloid plaque formation in the brain, a major factor in Alzheimer's disease, others have found that cathepsin B is neuroprotective and can actually clear amyloid plaques.
Van Praag hypothesizes that it could be varying levels of the protein and different physiological conditions that are producing the different effects.
The researchers now plan to conduct further research, however van Praag concluded, "Overall, the message is that a consistently healthy lifestyle pays off. People often ask us, how long do you have to exercise, how many hours? The study supports that the more substantial changes occur with the maintenance of a long-term exercise regimen."
The findings can be found published in the journal Cell Metabolism.
AFP RELAXNEWS
Sat Jun 25 2016
A new study suggests that running can help improve memory by boosting levels of a certain protein in the blood.
Remaja mati lemas ketika mandi bersama rakan
Seorang remaja lelaki berusia 17 tahun mati lemas ketika mandi-manda bersama rakannya di kawasan pam pasir Kampung Bagan, Pulai Chondong di sini semalam.
Menteri Luar Iran bincang penyelesaian krisis Gaza dengan Setiausaha Agung PBB
Dalam perbincangannya dengan pegawai PBB, menteri itu menegaskan pendirian Iran bahawa meningkatkan lagi konflik ini tidak memanfaatkan pihak terlibat.
Institusi pendidikan bawah KPM perlu patuhi garis panduan anjur aktiviti luar
Kementerian Pendidikan (KPM) meminta semua institusi pendidikan di bawah kementerian itu untuk sentiasa mematuhi garis panduan penganjuran aktiviti luar bilik darjah.
Kerajaan Madani komited tambah baik infrastruktur di Sabah - PM
Kerajaan Madani akan menoktahkan kesengsaraan yang dialami rakyat terutama di Sabah khususnya dari segi kemiskinan sosioekonomi.
Fokus Minggu Depan: Perang Iran-Israel: Perkembangan seterusnya?
Ikuti kupasan Pengarah Institut Kecemerlangan Pengajian Baitulmaqdis (IEIJS), UUM, Prof. Madya Dr. Aminurraasyid Yatiban mengenai perkembangan perang Israel-Iran yang ketika ini menggegarkan Asia Barat.
Data sekolah di Singapura diceroboh
Kementerian Pendidikan semalam mengesahkan berlaku pelanggaran data di salah satu vendornya mengakibatkan 'akses tidak dibenarkan' bagi nama dan alamat e-mel ibu bapa dan kakitangan lima sekolah rendah dan 122 sekolah menengah.
87 maut, 82 cedera akibat hujan lebat berterusan di Pakistan
Sekurang-kurangnya 87 orang maut dan 82 yang lain cedera dalam insiden dicetuskan hujan di Pakistan sejak minggu lalu ketika hujan lebat terus melanda beberapa bahagian negara itu, kata Pihak Berkuasa Pengurusan Bencana Kebangsaan (NDMA), semalam.
Pertempuran sengit paksa 200 orang lari ke Thailand
Pertempuran bertambah sengit di sempadan timur Myanmar dengan Thailand hari ini, memaksa kira-kira 200 orang awam melarikan diri ketika pemberontak mengusir tentera junta yang bersembunyi di lintasan sempadan jambatan.
Liga Hoki Selangor TNB-QNET kembali dipertandingkan tahun ini
Selepas lima tahun menyepi, Liga Hoki Selangor TNB-QNET (SHL) akan kembali dianjurkan bermula hari ini hingga 2 Jun depan dalam usaha mencungkil bakat baru sukan hoki di tanah air.
Bio-Home lancar stesen pengisian semula eco, yang pertama seumpamanya
Jenama pembersihan rumah mesra alam dari Lam Soon, Bio-Home, melancarkan stesen pengisian semula eco pertama, menandakan langkah penting komitmen dalam menangani isu sisa plastik.