Newfound nerve-muscle crosstalk means exercise can help neurons grow Premium

Exercise not only benefits physical health but also stimulates neuronal growth, paving the way for innovative nerve repair therapies.

Regular exercise is proven to be beneficial for our overall well-being. It strengthens our muscles, improves cardiovascular health, helps to maintain a healthy body weight, and can be considered an effective stress buster.

But what if there is more? What if the benefits of exercise go beyond general health?

A recent study by engineers at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), published in Advanced Healthcare Materials, has revealed that exercise may also stimulate the growth of neurons through its physical and biochemical effects.

This finding can pave new pathways for reparative therapies and perhaps even cures for neurodegenerative disorders.

While the effects of exercise on our physical health, like strengthening muscles and supporting the immune system, are widely recognised, researchers haven’t explored the specific impact of exercise on neurons (nerve cells).

Given the nerves control the movements of muscles and carry vital information all over the body, understanding the effects of neurons can lead to the development of plausible therapies for nerve injuries.

In a November 2023 paper in the journal Biomaterials, researchers established a hint of a biochemical connection between muscle activity and nerve health. Ritu Raman, the Eugene Bell Career Development assistant professor of mechanical engineering at MIT, and her colleagues discovered that they could restore the mobility of mice by implanting muscle tissue at the site of a severe muscle injury and stimulating the new tissue using light.