Exercise Enzyme Protects Aging Brain
Scientists discovered that an exercise-activated enzyme plays a critical role in keeping the brain youthful by affecting energy metabolism in neurons and helping preserve memory and cognitive function with age. The findings reinforce evidence for exercise as 'brain medicine' through molecular pathways that provide neuroprotective benefits even with moderate, consistent physical activity.
- The specific liver enzyme activated by exercise is called GPLD1; it was identified by researchers at the University of California, San Francisco in a study published in the journal *Cell*. - This enzyme does not enter the brain itself but works by strengthening the blood-brain barrier, a network of blood vessels that protects the brain from harmful compounds circulating in the bloodstream. - GPLD1 functions by reducing the levels of another protein, TNAP, which accumulates on the blood-brain barrier with age and causes it to become leaky, leading to inflammation and cognitive decline. - In studies with mice, researchers observed that administering GPLD1 to older, sedentary animals repaired the blood-brain barrier, reduced brain inflammation, and improved memory performance. - Another key enzyme, PGC-1a, which is a master regulator of mitochondrial function in the brain, has been shown to decrease with age, a change that is associated with age-related metabolic shifts in the brain. - Research from the National Institute on Aging identified a different enzyme, SIRT3, which is boosted by exercise and protects neurons from energy loss and stress, both of which are factors in neurodegenerative diseases. - Studies on older adults have found that regular aerobic or resistance training significantly improves scores on cognitive assessments such as the Mini-Mental State Examination and the Montreal Cognitive Assessment.
