The emerging neuroprotective roles of exerkines in Alzheimer’s disease

Published on August 31, 2022

Imagine physical exercise as a superhero, fighting off the evil sedentary lifestyle that plagues our society. One of the villains it combats is Alzheimer’s disease, a formidable opponent known for its memory-stealing abilities. But fear not! Physical exercise comes armed with exerkines, special molecules released during exercise that act as messengers between our bodies and brains. These exerkines, like irisin, work their magic by protecting our neurons and promoting cognitive health. It’s like having a trusted ally patrolling the streets, keeping our synapses firing and preventing amyloid protein buildup. The evidence suggests that regular exercise could be our secret weapon in the battle against cognitive decline. So lace up your sneakers and join the fight against Alzheimer’s! Read more about the exciting research on exerkines and their potential to safeguard our brains.

Despite the extensive knowledge of the beneficial effects of physical exercise, a sedentary lifestyle is still a predominant harm in our society. Sedentarism is one of the major modifiable risk factors for metabolic diseases such as diabetes mellitus, obesity and neurological disorders, including Alzheimer’s disease (AD)–characterized by synaptic failure, amyloid protein deposition and memory loss. Physical exercise promotes neuroprotective effects through molecules released in circulation and mediates the physiological crosstalk between the periphery and the brain. This literature review summarizes the current understanding of the roles of exerkines, molecules released during physical exercise, as systemic and central factors that mediate the beneficial effects of physical exercise on cognition. We highlight the neuroprotective role of irisin—a myokine released from the proteolytic cleavage of fibronectin type III domain-containing protein 5 (FNDC5) transmembrane protein. Lastly, we review evidence pointing to physical exercise as a potential preventative and interventional strategy against cognitive decline in AD.

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