Exercise generates new neurons

Have you ever been threatened that the neurons that die, do not grow back? This may not be true. Recent studies carried out by the Center for Regenerative Therapies in Dresden, Germany, in conjunction with the University of Stanford in E.U.A., they prove that even the brains of adults can develop new neurons as a result of doing intense physical exercise.

Immature non-neuronal cells in the brain of the adult respond to protein growth factors that are generated in the body during strong and prolonged physical activity . These growth factors stimulate the development of new neurons in the hippocampus. These new neurons have the ability to migrate through brain tissue to find their own place in the neuronal circuit, according to newspaper reports. The Huffington Post.

Adult neurogenesis increases but the effect on neuronal network it is due to different mechanisms at the cellular level. The physical activity stimulates the cells precursors of where neurogenesis originates, increasing its proliferation and maintenance, while enriching and promoting the survival of immature neurons. It was also found that the exercise functions as a feedback system that warns the brain that the body has "taste" for experiencing more cognitive challenges, says the study published by Frontier in Neuroscience.

The evolutionary theory of the researchers suggests that this happens because in the ages of the caverns, the brain of our ancient ancestors was developed to achieve survival in inhospitable environments. Men had to travel long and dangerous distances to find food. Scientists indicate that this is why the body incubates new neurons in the memory region of the brain when we exercise (to better equip the cognitive demands of the food tour).

The results explain the connection between calorie burning and the birth of neurons . These old mechanisms are still valid in the brains of sedentary office workers, so exercise can still be very effective in modern times, both to enjoy good mental health and to shape our body.


Video Medicine: Stem cells and adult neurogenesis (March 2024).