lecture 11

BDNF and Exercise

• Rats in running groups exhibit higher levels of Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor (BDNF).

• BDNF promotes:

  • Neuron support.

  • Neuron growth.

  • Neural communication.

• Exercise boosts BDNF, a protein vital for neuron health.

Impact of Exercise on Neurite Extension

• Comparison of neurite extension (finger-like structures on neurons) between sedentary and exercising animals.

• Sedentary groups (A and B) vs. exercising groups (C and D).

• Groups C and D, engaging in more exercise, show longer neurite extension.

• Measurement of axon (neurite) extension length:

  • Sedentary: Zero days of exercise.

  • Exercise: Three days and seven days of exercise.

• Graph F illustrates a linear relationship: Increased running distance correlates with longer axon length.

• Voluntary physical activity primes sensory neurons, enhancing axonal regeneration, which supports neuronal health.

Exercise and Parkinson's Disease

• MRI images of Parkinson's patients under different conditions:

  • Post-exercise.

  • Off medication.

  • On medication.

• Analysis of motor function in relevant brain areas.

• Orange color indicates brain activity.

• Baseline: Brain activity of Parkinson's patients off medication is low.

• Brain activity increases when patients are on medication.

• Exercise significantly boosts brain activity, comparable to the effects of medication.

• Exercise can elevate motor activity to a similar extent as medication in Parkinson's patients.

• Hippocampus activity increases post-exercise.