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Myelin, aging, and physical exercise.

Alexandre Lebedev Graciani1, Marcela Usberti Gutierre2, Antonio Augusto Coppi3

  • 1Department of Physiology, Laboratory of Neurophysiology, Federal University of São Paulo, São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil.

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Summary

Physical exercise may protect the myelin sheath, crucial for nerve function, from aging and diseases like Alzheimer's. This review explores exercise's role in preserving myelin during aging and in pathological conditions.

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Area of Science:

  • Neuroscience
  • Cell Biology
  • Gerontology

Background:

  • The myelin sheath, produced by oligodendrocytes and Schwann cells, is vital for efficient neural signaling and axonal support.
  • Aging causes myelin sheath damage, including deformities and fragmentation, increasing microglial load and exacerbating conditions like Alzheimer's disease.
  • Physical exercise is recognized for its neuroprotective potential, enhancing neuroplasticity and showing promise in animal models for preventing myelin degeneration.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the effectiveness of physical exercise as a protective agent for the myelin sheath.
  • To examine the impact of physical activity on myelin integrity during physiological aging.
  • To assess exercise's role in mitigating myelin damage in pathological conditions, including Alzheimer's disease.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of studies investigating physical exercise and myelin sheath health.
  • Analysis of research on animal models of neurological disorders and aging.
  • Examination of human studies on physical activity and myelin integrity in aging populations.

Main Results:

  • Studies indicate physical exercise can protect against myelin degeneration in animal models of Alzheimer's and depression.
  • Evidence suggests a reduction in myelin damage during aging in healthy humans engaging in physical activity.
  • Physical activity appears to promote oligodendrocyte proliferation and myelin preservation in older age, though some inconsistencies exist.

Conclusions:

  • Physical exercise demonstrates potential as a neuroprotective strategy against age-related myelin sheath deterioration.
  • Regular physical activity may help preserve myelin integrity, offering benefits in both healthy aging and disease states.
  • Further research is warranted to fully elucidate the mechanisms and optimize the application of exercise for myelin protection.