London: Exercise raises levels of a brain molecule that may help protect against Alzheimer’s disease, a new research has shown.
Scientists believe the protein PGC-1alpha, which also appears to guard against type 2 diabetes, could lead to new treatments for treating Alzheimer’s.
Researchers studied brain samples from dead Alzheimer’s patients and from healthy people.
They found less PGC-1alpha in the Alzheimer’s-affected brains, reports the Daily Express.
Further investigation revealed that cells containing more PGC-1alpha produced less of the toxic amyloid protein that accumulates in the brains of people with the disease.
Since exercise boosts levels of PGC-1alpha, the findings may help explain the link between regular physical activity and reduced Alzheimer’s risk.
They also provide a clue to why diabetics are more likely to develop Alzheimer’s.
Magdalena Sastre, of Imperial College London, who led the study, said: “These early results have given us a potential treatment target.”
ANI