Posted on 08/21/2022 2:31:49 PM PDT by ConservativeMind
Regular treadmill exercise helped improve Parkinson's disease symptoms in mice in a recent study.
Scientists found positive results in using exercise to stop the spread of the α-synuclein protein and reverse biochemical, cellular, and anatomical changes that occur in the brains of mice with Parkinson's disease in the absence of drugs. The mice ran on a treadmill consistently in 30-minute intervals for six days a week, over two months.
Pahan and his team were quick to note while treadmill exercise is something that can be easily available and accessible, some patients with Parkinson's might not be able to run on a treadmill daily.
The team worked to identify a drug useful in the absence of a treadmill.
"Once patients are diagnosed with these neurodegenerative disorders, there are no drugs available for halting the disease progression," Pahan said. "Understanding how the treadmill helps the brain is important to developing treadmill-associated drugs that can inhibit α-synuclein pathology, protect the brain, and stop the progression of Lewy body diseases."
The research team learned that fenofibrate, known as Triglide or Antara in the clinic, mimicked the effects of a treadmill workout. The drug is typically used to lower high cholesterol and triglyceride in patients.
"If taking fenofibrate can replicate the same effects of running on a treadmill then it would be a notable advance in the treatment of these devastating neurological disorders," Pahan said.
Fenofibrate activated PPARα within the brain, which is a key component to the success of the treadmill exercise routine. The team concluded taking a low dose of fenofibrate daily slows the spread of α-synuclein in the brain and protects dopamine in mice in the absence of any treadmill workout.
Pahan also noted that the mice who benefited from this study already had the PPARa protein that is associated with Parkinson's.
(Excerpt) Read more at medicalxpress.com ...
“ In summary, the present article made important revelations: First, treadmill exercise significantly mitigates both localized α-syn aggregation and spreading to different brain regions, resulting in prevention of neuronal demise. Second, treadmill exercise induces the activation of PPARα in neurons. Third, treadmill exercise up-regulates the autophagy-lysosomal pathway via PPARα-dependent transcription of TFEB. Fourth, heterozygous reduction of the CLN2 gene aggravates α-syn spreading and causes DA loss, emphasizing the importance of lysosome in α-syn pathology and indicating that the decrease in function of a pivotal lysosomal protein, TPP1, may increase the risk of α-synucleinopathy. Fifth, activation of PPARα by a prototype PPARα activator fenofibrate is also sufficient to reduce α-syn spreading and protect DAergic neurons. Therefore, either treadmill exercise or drug-mediated PPARα activation may be beneficial for preventing α-synucleinopathy and related neurodegeneration.”
>> Regular treadmill exercise helped ... mice
Even at the slowest speed, that’s a tremendous amount of running for the little guy.
Even at the slowest speed, that’s a tremendous amount of running for the little guy.
—
They can handle the treadmill, but the stair-master is asking too much!
My local Y has exercise classes for Parkinson’s patients. One of them involves boxing.
Exercise activity is what keeps the brain in shape.
Multiple areas needed to maintain coordination. Plus some increased O2.
IIRC, 1 minutes of jump rope helps to prepare for the stair-master.
“Treadmill exercise shown to improve Parkinson’s symptoms in mice (Fenofibrate also helped)”
i had no idea that they made treadmills that small ...
Growing up, I was an all star athlete who played all 3 major sports.
After grad school, I joined local fitness club and still continue that membership.
As a very seasoned citizen, I do a HIIT program on an elliptical - normally 15-20 minutes 5-6x a week.
I very HIGHLY recommend anyone engaging in exercise programs is to invest in a heart monitor chest strap...for maximum health benefit and your own personal safety.
I am sure it’s a mouse sized treadmill. It would kill a little guy on a gym sized machine. Lol.
Wonder if it would benefit Alzheimer’s patients.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.