Neuroscientists from the Catholic University, Rome Campus, and A. Gemelli IRCCS Polyclinic Foundation have made a groundbreaking discovery in the field of Parkinson’s disease research. Their study, titled “Intensive exercise ameliorates motor and cognitive symptoms in experimental Parkinson’s disease by restoring striatal synaptic plasticity,” reveals that intensive exercise can slow the progression of Parkinson’s disease by improving brain plasticity and neuronal survival.
The research, published in the journal Science Advances, sheds light on a previously unobserved mechanism and provides a potential path for the development of new non-pharmacological treatments for the disease. The study was a collaborative effort between the Catholic University, Rome Campus, and A. Gemelli IRCCS Polyclinic Foundation, along with several other research institutes.
The study was funded by the Fresco Parkinson Institute, New York University School of Medicine, The Marlene and Paolo Fresco Institute for Parkinson’s and Movement Disorders, the Ministry of Health, and MIUR. It uncovered a new mechanism that explains the beneficial effects of exercise on brain plasticity.
According to Professor Paolo Calabresi, the Full Professor of Neurology at the Catholic University and Director of the UOC Neurology at the University Polyclinic A. Gemelli IRCCS, the research team discovered a never-before-seen mechanism through which exercise performed in the early stages of Parkinson’s disease induces beneficial effects on movement control that may last even after training is suspended. This finding could potentially guide the development of new non-drug treatments to be used alongside existing drug therapies.
Previous research had already suggested a link between intensive physical activity and increased production of the brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), a vital growth factor. The current study successfully replicated this phenomenon using a four-week treadmill training protocol in an animal model of early-stage Parkinson’s disease. It demonstrated how BDNF contributes to the beneficial effects of physical activity on the brain.
The study also investigated the neuroprotective effect of exercise. By employing a multidisciplinary approach, the researchers measured improvements in neuronal survival, brain plasticity, motor control, and visuospatial cognition. They found that daily treadmill training sessions reduced the spread of pathological alpha-synuclein aggregates, which cause dysfunction of neurons in specific brain areas essential to motor control.
The neuroprotective effect of physical activity is associated with the survival of dopamine-releasing neurons in the striatum. This survival is crucial for the ability of striatal neurons to express a form of dopamine-dependent plasticity, which is impaired by Parkinson’s disease. As a result, motor control and visuospatial learning, both dependent on nigrostriatal activity, are preserved in animals undergoing intensive training.
The study also revealed that BDNF, whose levels rise with exercise, interacts with the NMDA receptor for glutamate. This interaction enables neurons in the striatum to respond effectively to stimuli, with effects that endure beyond the exercise period.
Looking to the future, Professor Paolo Calabresi stated that the research team is involved in a clinical trial to test whether intensive exercise can identify new markers to monitor the disease progression in early-stage patients. They also aim to investigate the involvement of glial cells, specialized groups of cells that provide support to neurons and their environment, in the neuroinflammatory and neuroimmune components of Parkinson’s disease. This will help identify the molecular and cellular mechanisms underlying the observed beneficial effects of exercise.
The findings of this study have significant implications for the treatment of Parkinson’s disease. By understanding the mechanisms through which exercise can slow the progression of the disease, researchers can develop new non-pharmacological treatments that can be used in conjunction with existing drug therapies. This research opens up new possibilities for improving the quality of life for individuals living with Parkinson’s disease.
How does intensive exercise in the early stages of Parkinson’s disease improve motor and cognitive symptoms?
Intensive exercise in an animal model of early-stage Parkinson’s disease improved motor and cognitive symptoms by restoring striatal synaptic plasticity. The groundbreaking research, conducted by neuroscientists from the Catholic University, Rome Campus, and A. Gemelli IRCCS Polyclinic Foundation, provides new insights into the potential benefits of exercise in slowing the progression of Parkinson’s disease.
Published in the journal Science Advances, the study uncovers a previously unobserved mechanism and offers a potential avenue for the development of non-pharmacological treatments for Parkinson’s disease. The collaborative effort involved multiple research institutes and received funding from various institutions.
The research team, led by Professor Paolo Calabresi, discovered a never-before-seen mechanism where exercise performed in the early stages of Parkinson’s disease can have lasting beneficial effects on movement control, even after the training is suspended. This finding has significant implications for the development of new non-drug treatments that can complement existing drug therapies.
Previous studies had hinted at a connection between intensive physical activity and increased production of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), a crucial growth factor. The current study successfully replicated this phenomenon by subjecting an animal model of early-stage Parkinson’s disease to a four-week treadmill training protocol. It demonstrated how BDNF contributes to the positive effects of exercise on the brain.
Additionally, the study examined the neuroprotective effects of exercise. Through a comprehensive approach, the researchers measured improvements in neuronal survival, brain plasticity, motor control, and visuospatial cognition. The findings highlight the potential of daily intensive exercise in mitigating the symptoms of Parkinson’s disease.
Overall, this groundbreaking research underscores the importance of exercise in Parkinson’s disease management and provides a new perspective on developing non-pharmacological treatments. It offers hope for individuals living with Parkinson’s disease and paves the way for future investigations in this field.
