23/07/2025
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A groundbreaking study has revealed that staying physically active may do far more than boost heart health it may actually protect the brain from Alzheimer’s disease. Researchers discovered that exercise influences the brain at a genetic and cellular level, activating changes that help fight off damage associated with memory loss. This adds compelling evidence to the idea that movement could be a powerful tool in delaying or reducing the effects of neurodegeneration.
The study focused on the hippocampus, a part of the brain crucial for memory and learning. In Alzheimer’s-affected mice, exercise improved the function of key immune and support cells in the brain, including microglia and neurovascular-associated astrocytes (NVAs). These cells became more efficient at protecting brain tissue and maintaining blood flow when influenced by physical activity. Scientists also observed gene-level shifts in these cells, boosting their ability to defend the brain.
Perhaps most excitingly, the team highlighted the role of ATPIF1, a gene that controls energy use in cells. Exercise activated this gene in ways that encouraged neurogenesis, or the growth of new neurons. Since creating new brain cells is linked to sharper memory and slower cognitive decline, this could be one of the key biological links between physical fitness and brain resilience.
Source: PMID 40506544
