Scientists have found that a molecule produced in the brain during exercise can boost mental health due to its neuroprotective effects.


Researchers were also able to artificially increase the levels of the molecule, irisin, in the blood to activate genes involved in learning and memory.


The findings may be useful for designing drugs that utilise this exercise-induced molecule to guard against neurodegenerative diseases and improve cognition in the ageing population.


While it's known that exercise can boost cognitive function and lessen symptoms of neurological diseases like depression, stroke, and Alzheimer's disease, the mechanisms underlying these effects are unclear.


One important player is thought to be a growth factor named brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF).


Through experiments conducted in mice, investigators led by Dr Bruce Spiegelman of the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and Harvard Medical School found that a molecule called FNDC5 and its cleavage product, irisin, are elevated by endurance exercise in the brain and increase BDNF expression.


On the other hand, mice genetically altered to have low irisin levels in the brain had reduced levels of BDNF.


The team also found that raising levels of irisin in the circulation caused the molecule to cross the blood brain barrier, where it increased expression of BDNF and activated genes involved in cognition.


"Our results indicate that FNDC5/irisin has the ability control a very important neuroprotective pathway in the brain," said Spiegelman.


The researchers now plan to work on developing a stable form of the irisin protein that can be given to mice by injection and may augment the brain's natural anti-degeneration pathways.


The study was published in the Cell Press journal Cell Metabolism.