Circulating Endocannabinoids Are Associated with Mental Alertness During Ultra-Endurance Exercise

Area of Science:

• Exercise Physiology
• Neuroscience
• Biochemistry

Background:

• Ultra-endurance exercise leads to central fatigue, affecting mental alertness and decision-making.
• Endocannabinoids are linked to cognitive functions but their role in exercise-induced central fatigue is unexplored.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the relationship between endocannabinoid levels and central fatigue markers after a 100-km trail run.
• To determine if specific endocannabinoids correlate with cognitive performance decline.

Main Methods:

• 24 male ultrarunners completed a 100-km trail run; 18 were analyzed.
• Cognitive tests (reaction time, visual processing) were administered pre- and post-race.
• Blood serum analyzed for endocannabinoids (AEA, 2-AG, PEA, OEA, SEA) using liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry.

Main Results:

• Cognitive performance significantly declined post-exercise.
• Levels of anandamide (AEA), palmitoylethanolamide (PEA), oleoylethanolamide (OEA), and stearoylethanolamide (SEA) increased.
• Exercise-induced changes in median reaction time positively correlated with increases in AEA, PEA, and OEA.

Conclusions:

• Endocannabinoids, particularly AEA, PEA, and OEA, may play a role in the central fatigue affecting mental alertness after ultra-endurance events.
• Further research is warranted to elucidate the precise mechanisms of endocannabinoid involvement in exercise-induced cognitive impairment.