Clipping of news on Brazilian Culture, Law and Citizenship
11/10/2013
This article was translated by an automatic translation system, and was therefore not reviewed by people.
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Physical activity protects the brain Photo : Marcia Foletto / O Globo
BOSTON - Several studies have shown that exercise is good for the brain. What was that scientists now have identified a molecule called irisina , is produced in the brain during endurance exercise and that it has neuroprotective effects . The findings published in the online " Cell Metabolism " may be useful for the development of drugs with the use of this molecule to protect individuals against neurodegenerative diseases and enhance cognition in elderly population .
While it is known that exercise can boost cognitive function and decrease symptoms of neurological disorders such as depression , stroke and Alzheimer's disease , the mechanisms behind these effects were mysterious . In this process, the growth factor called brain-derived neurotrophic factor ( BDNF , its acronym in English ) seems to have an important role , scientists say .
Based on experiments with mice , scientists , coordinated by Bruce Spiegelman , Cancer Institute of Harvard Medical School , found that a molecule called FNDC5 and its cleavage product , the irisina suffer increased in the brain during endurance exercise , increasing the production of BDNF .
On the other hand , mice genetically modified to have lower levels of irisina brain BDNF levels were also reduced.
The staff has shown that increased levels of circulating irisina molecule led to cross the blood brain barrier by increasing the production of BDNF and activating genes involved in cognition.
- Our results indicate that FNDC5/irisina has the ability to control a very important neuroprotective effects via the brain - says Spiegelman .
The researchers now plan to work on developing a way to maintain stable protein irisina that could be given to the mice by injection.
Read more about this topic in http://oglobo.globo.com/saude/exercicio-fisico-protege-cerebro-10323013 # ixzz2hNgvdD8a
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Source : The Globe
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This article was translated by an automatic translation system, and was therefore not reviewed by people.