EXERCISE AND BRAIN REPAIR [ back to What's New ]
Exercise is known to improve mood and boost cognitive performance. Scientists hypothesized this resulted from increased blood flow and oxygenation of brain tissue, and perhaps to release of endorphins. Research just published in the Journal of Neuroscience (4/15/2000 Vol 20(8):2926-2933) shows that physical exercise liberates large quantities of a peptide called IGF-1 (insulin-like growth factor I) into the bloodstream, from the liver and other organs. The IGF-1 crosses the blood brain barrier and saturates receptor sites in the choroid plexus (the lining of the brain's ventricular system where cerebro-spinal fluid is made). From there it gains entry to many parts of the brain, where it triggers the release of BDNF (a neuro-trophic growth factor) and other substances which promote the health and vigor of  brain cells, synaptic circuits and neural pathways. It is believed that boosting of trophic factors in the brain, following traumatic brain injury, would protect the survival of damaged brain cells and assist in the rebuilding of damaged neural connections.