Dementia is among the leading cause of death in Australia. By 2058, the number of people living with dementia is expected to increase by millions if no medical advances are made. According to World Health Organization (WHO), 55 Million people worldwide have dementia, most living in low or middle-income countries. Dementia has become one of the world's most serious health issues today. As a result, we require treatment or therapies to help us combat it.
Finally, after laboring for more than a decade, a team has discovered that 35 days of purposeful physical activity leads to the enhanced ability to keep the memory. Researchers presented evidence stating they've uncovered a 'sweet spot' of exercise that can restore cognitive impairment in aged rats, paving the way for human trials. This is no less than a breakthrough that could lead to therapies that help dementia patients improve their memory skills, also positively impact the Cognitive Assessment and Training Market.
The researchers looked at how old mice's cognitive capacities changed following different amounts of exercise. They discovered a perfect interval, or 'sweet spot,' in which the animals' spatial learning was considerably improved.
In addition, the exercises also boosted learning, according to the study. They realized that GH (Growth Hormone) levels peaked around a particular time. Through further investigation, they were able to show that artificially boosting GH in inactive mice improved their cognitive abilities.
Researchers also revealed that GH promotes the growth of new neurons in the hippocampus, a brain region vital for learning and memory. The findings presented in the study will immensely benefit thousands of people that are diagnosed with dementia each year.
The team utilized MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging) to investigate how the development of new neurons altered the brain's network. For the first time, a team used MRI for analyzing brain activity as the animals went through their exercise routine. They uncovered the critical changes in the structure and functional circuits of the hippocampus required for increased spatial learning for the first time.
The findings add to the growing evidence indicating the decline in cognitive performance in old age is linked to a decrease in the generation of new neurons. It emphasizes the significance of activating the brain's neurogenic stem cells, which were initially discovered 20 years ago.