Regular exercise can improve brain function and “ward off dementia”, new research has indicated.
Scientists from Rutgers University-New Brunswick have found that exercise activates the development of specialised cells called ‘neuronal extracellular vesicles’, which can influence how the body responds to insulin.
Lead author Professor Steven Malin said: “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.”
During the trial, the team of researchers analysed vesicles produced in the brain that ferry several proteins involved in insulin sensitivity – a measure of how responsive the body is to insulin.
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People with low insulin sensitivity, also known as insulin resistance, need more insulin to lower their blood sugar levels, which can affect their cognition.
A total of 21 adults with prediabetes took part in the experiment by completing in 12 different 60-minute exercise sessions of moderate to high intensity.
Before and after each training session, each participant consumed a glucose drink.
The researchers then took blood samples of each participant before and during they consumed the drink.
They found that after each training session, the number of neuronal vesicles carrying proteins involved in insulin sensitivity increased among the participants.
Professor Malin said: “We showed for the first time that exercise impacts insulin signalling from neuronal extracellular vesicles in relation to clinical improvements in blood sugar. And we use these neuronal extracellular vesicles as an indicator of brain insulin sensitivity.
“Exercise, therefore, is potentially able to improve the brain’s capacity to respond to insulin for neuronal function.”
He added: “Those with prediabetes run the risk of having insufficient levels of insulin in their bodies, particularly the brain, which increases the chances of developing diseases of dementia such as Alzheimer’s.”
Insulin can impact several cognitive functions, such as processing speed and recall, the study has reported.
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Professor Malin said: “If insulin is insufficient in the brain, that means not only will brain cells become potentially dysfunctional, but also, they may fail to interact with each other properly.
“It’s like playing the game telephone with a friend. At some point the message gets lost when the brain becomes insulin resistant.”
Prior research studies have discovered that high blood sugar is associated with cognitive decline.
Professor Malin concludes: “Our work suggests that therapies that target brain insulin action may be able to ward off dementia.”
Read the full study in the journal Aging Cell.
