New findings in neuroscience research have unveiled the profound impact of exercise on brain cells, offering insights into potential strategies for combating cognitive decline associated with aging. A recent study published in Aging Cell has highlighted the ability of exercise to modify the gene expression of aged microglia, a type of brain cell, effectively reversing them to a more youthful state.
As individuals grow older, they commonly face a decline in both physical well-being and cognitive function, often leading to conditions such as dementia with limited treatment options. While previous observational studies have hinted at the benefits of exercise in mitigating age-related cognitive deficits, the precise mechanisms underlying these advantages have remained unclear. To address this gap, researchers delved into the cellular impact of exercise on the brain, with a specific focus on microglia, in search of potential therapeutic avenues for cognitive decline.
Study author Jana Vukovic, an associate professor at the University of Queensland, expressed her curiosity about the components of exercise that drive its positive effects on brain health, emphasizing the need to uncover these key factors. The study employed mice as a model organism due to their genetic and physiological similarities to humans, utilizing female mice from two age groups: young (3 months old) and aged (18 months old). The mice were divided into exercise and sedentary groups, with the former having access to a running wheel for a 21-day voluntary exercise period followed by a 14-day rest interval.
To investigate the impact of exercise on brain function, researchers utilized single-cell RNA sequencing, a technique enabling the analysis of gene expression at the individual cell level. By focusing on the hippocampus, a brain region crucial for learning and memory, the study assessed changes in various cell types, including microglia. Microglia are pivotal in preserving brain health by responding to damage and infections; however, as the brain ages, these cells can shift towards a pro-inflammatory state, contributing to cognitive decline.
The study revealed that aged sedentary mice displayed a gene expression pattern in their microglia characteristic of this detrimental aged state, marked by heightened expression of inflammatory genes indicative of an increased immune response. In contrast, the exercise group exhibited a rejuvenated gene expression profile in their microglia, resembling that of younger, healthier cells. These findings suggest that regular exercise may hold promise in counteracting age-related cognitive decline by positively influencing the gene expression of brain cells.
