How exercise helps an aging (mouse) brain

Exercise has long been associated with longevity and health, but scientists have only recently begun to understand why. After transfusing blood from exercising mice into sedentary ones, researchers have isolated a single protein that shows restorative effects in the brain. It suggests that it may not simply be youth that confers benefit, but activity level, STAT’s Teresa Gaffney writes.

The protein, called GPLD1, is secreted by the liver after exercise. Higher levels of the protein were correlated with higher cognition levels in mice.

“We’re really thinking about making the benefits into a therapeutic, but not replacing the benefit of exercise for those who can do it,” a UCSF researcher who led the study told STAT. “Those who can do it, should do it.”