Researchers: Alhasan Abdulghani, Mikayel Poghosyan, Aylin Mehren, Alexandra Philipsen, Elmira Anderzhanova
Adaptive neuroplasticity is a pivotal mechanism for healthy brain development and maintenance, as well as its restoration in disease- and age-associated decline. Management of mental disorders such as attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) needs interventions stimulating adaptive neuroplasticity, beyond conventional psychopharmacological treatments. Physical exercises are proposed for the management of ADHD, and also depression and aging because of evoked brain neuroplasticity. Recent progress in understanding the mechanisms of muscle-brain cross-talk pinpoints the role of the myokine irisin in the mediation of pro-cognitive and antidepressant activity of physical exercises. In this review, we discuss how irisin, which is released in the periphery as well as derived from brain cells, may interact with the mechanisms of cellular autophagy to provide protein recycling and regulation of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) signaling via glia-mediated control of BDNF maturation, and, therefore, support neuroplasticity. We propose that the neuroplasticity associated with physical exercises is mediated in part by irisin-triggered autophagy. Since the recent findings give objectives to consider autophagy-stimulating intervention as a prerequisite for successful therapy of psychiatric disorders, irisin appears as a prototypic molecule that can activate autophagy with therapeutic goals.
References
- Maximizing Longevity and Healthspan: Multiple Approaches All Converging on Autophagy.
- On the Run for Hippocampal Plasticity.
- Physical Activity and Brain Health.
- Are There Deleterious Cardiac Effects of Acute and Chronic Endurance Exercise?
- Autophagy and aging: Maintaining the proteome through exercise and caloric restriction.
- Blood factors transfer beneficial effects of exercise on neurogenesis and cognition to the aged brain.
- Physical Activity Alleviates Cognitive Dysfunction of Alzheimer’s Disease through Regulating the mTOR Signaling Pathway.
- Impact of Autophagy Impairment on Experience- and Diet-Related Synaptic Plasticity.
- Strengthening the Brain-Is Resistance Training with Blood Flow Restriction an Effective Strategy for Cognitive Improvement?