Doing 6 minutes of high-intensity exercise a day would help extend the “lifespan” of the brain, according to New Zealand researchers. This daily activity would delay the onset of neurodegenerative disorders such as Alzheimer’s or Parkinson’s disease.
- BDNF influences certain neurons of the central nervous system and the peripheral nervous system. In addition to facilitating the storage of information and learning, the protein promotes the growth of neurons.
- Compared to a 20-hour fasting day with or without light activity, high-intensity exercise is a much more effective way to increase circulating BDNF levels in the body.
Many studies have shown that it is necessary to fight against a sedentary lifestyle to keep a brain in top shape. A new study, conducted by researchers at the University of Otago (New Zealand), ensures that just 6 minutes of high-intensity exercise a day such as a sprint on a bicycle can delay the development of neurodegenerative diseases (Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s ).
Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s: a protein at the heart of the protective effect
Researchers turned their attention to brain-derived neurotrophic factor, also known as BDNF. It is a protein involved in memory, learning and brain plasticity. Work carried out on animals has shown that it promotes the storage of memories and improves cognitive performance. The team wanted to determine the best non-pharmacological means to increase the production of this protein in humans as well as its effects on brain health.
The scientists thus compared the production of BDNF after 4 different activities:
- a 20-hour fast;
- 90 min of low intensity exercise (bike ride);
- 6 minutes of high intensity exercise (bike sprint);
- a combination of fasting and exercise.
Twelve volunteers aged 18 to 56 were followed during this experiment presented in The Journal of Physiology. They had to do each of the activities. Their BDNF level was then measured each time. The group consisted of 6 men and 6 women in order to provide a better representation of the population.
The results show that brief but vigorous physical activity is the most effective way to increase the production of the protein involved in cognitive abilities, and thus protect the brain. It was four to five times (396 pg l−1 to 1,170 pg l−1) higher compared to fasting (no change in BDNF concentration) or prolonged activity (slight increase in BDNF concentration) .
Activity and fasting: more research is needed
The cause of the observed differences between fasting and intense exercise is not yet determined. One of the researchers’ hypotheses is that it could be linked to the change in brain substrate and the metabolism of glucose, the brain’s main fuel source.
The observed increase in BDNF during intensive exercise could also be due to the increase in the number of platelets (they have the capacity to store the protein). The concentration of platelets in the blood is, in fact, higher with exercise than fasting (+20%).
The team is continuing to work to better understand the mechanics at play. Lead author Travis Gibbons explained: “We are currently studying how fasting for longer durations, for example up to three days, influences BDNF. We are curious whether intensive exercise at the start of a fast accelerates its beneficial effects. exercise are rarely studied together. We believe they can be used together to optimize BDNF production in the human brain.”
