Cognitive function typically declines with aging, but evidence suggests physical activity can help mitigate some of these declines. A recent study in mice found that exercise improves memory and spatial learning by inhibiting neuroinflammation, primarily via the actions of irisin, a myokine, and brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), a growth factor and signaling protein. Researchers conducted a two-part study to investigate the effects of regular, low-intensity exercise on cognitive function in mouse models of inflammation-driven memory impairment and microglia (brain immune cell) degener... exercise brain inflammation memory dementia nrf2
Read moreThe immune system plays a critical role in protecting human health. However, a recent study in mice shows that the immune system may influence behavior, too. Mice exposed to allergens – substances that trigger allergies – avoided those substances. Researchers studied two groups of mice: one that was predisposed to egg allergy and one that was not. They exposed the two groups to water that contained ovalbumin, a protein in eggs that triggers allergic reactions. They found that regions of the predisposed animals' brains that respond to unpleasant stimuli became active when they ingested allerg... gut immune system behavior allergies
Read moreLactate boosts cognitive function in mice, according to a new study. Mice had better spatial working and long-term memory after exercising and receiving supplemental lactate. Researchers studied the effects of exercise – with or without supplemental lactate – on cognitive function in mice. The mice engaged in moderate-intensity exercise (about 55 to 60 percent of their VO2 max) five days a week for five weeks. This level of intensity is just below the "lactate threshold" – the point at which lactate builds up in the bloodstream and compromises performance. At the end of the five-week period, ... exercise brain dementia bdnf lactate
Read moreSome NSAIDs dampen inflammation by switching on the activity of Nrf2. Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, or NSAIDs, are among the most widely used drugs worldwide, available in both prescription and over-the-counter forms. NSAIDs generally work by inhibiting the activity of cyclooxygenase (https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/12023546/), a type of enzyme that drives inflammatory processes. But because the drugs often elicit off-target effects, questions remain regarding other mechanisms that might be involved in their activities. A recent study demonstrates that some NSAIDs switch on the activi... nsaid nrf2
Read morePoor sleep drives cancer growth by decreasing a type of immune cell that eliminates tumors. Scientists have long known that people who don't get enough sleep are at greater risk of developing cancer. Once a person develops cancer, how long and how well they sleep can influence their disease outcome (https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/16905275/). A 2014 study implicated tumor-associated macrophages and toll-like receptor (TLR)- 4 as the primary drivers of unfavorable cancer outcomes in the setting of poor sleep. Tumor-associated macrophages are white blood cells that play important roles in cance... cancer sleep immune system toll-like receptors
Read moreDendritic cells are white blood cells that play critical roles in launching the body's immune response. Typically found in peripheral tissues such as the skin, dendritic cells migrate to the lymph nodes, where they interact with T cells to induce immune responses against pathogens, vaccines, and cancer cells. Findings from a new study suggest that dendritic cell migration is subject to circadian rhythm. Circadian rhythms are the body’s 24-hour cycles of biological, hormonal, and behavioral patterns. They modulate a wide array of physiological processes, including the body’s production of horm... immune system circadian rhythm
Read moreAs we age, our ability to learn things and form new memories decreases. Navigation, which incorporates multiple cognitive processes including memory, attention, and our perception of direction and distance, becomes particularly difficult with aging. Findings from a recent study suggest that increasing adult neurogenesis may improve navigation capacity in older mice. Neurogenesis is the process of forming new neurons. It is essential during embryonic development, but also continues in certain brain regions throughout human lifespan to facilitate learning and memory formation. The study author... neurons protein
Read moreCognitive decline is a common feature of aging, affecting more than 16 million people (https://www.cdc.gov/aging/pdf/cognitive_impairment/cogimp_poilicy_final.pdf) living in the United States. Findings from a new study in mice suggest that reducing inflammation in the brain may slow or reverse cognitive decline. Chronic inflammation is a key element of the aging process and drives many age-related diseases and conditions. The blood-brain barrier (BBB) is critical to healthy brain function, but chronic, systemic inflammation may cause changes in the BBB, allowing toxic blood-borne molecules to ... aging protein
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