Hormone may explain mind body links

Friday January 25th, 2013

British researchers say a stress hormone may play a key role in protecting the brain from Alzheimer's disease.

At normal levels the hormone helps protect the brain - and moderate exercise can help keep levels normal, according to the Nottingham University researchers.

In situations of high stress, receptors in the brain activate and prevent the hormone working, they have found.

This leads to loss of memory, they say.

The researchers say the findings may help explain why exercise helps prevent Alzheimer's disease and stress increases the risk.

Researcher Dr Marie-Christine Pardon conducted the research on laboratory mice.

This included testing an experimental drug which successfully reduced the anxiety displayed by mice in stressful situations - but blocked improvements to the memory.

The work centred on the hormone CRF - corticotrophin-releasing factor - and a brain receptor CRFR1, which reacts to the hormone.

Dr Pardon said: "This is the first time that researchers have been able to identify a brain process directly responsible for the beneficial effects of exercise in slowing down the progression of the early memory decline characteristics of Alzheimer’s disease.

"Overall, this research provides further evidence that a healthy lifestyle involving exercise slows down the risk of Alzheimer's disease and opens avenues for the new interventions targeting the altered CRFR1 function associated with the early stages of the disease."

Corticotropin-Releasing Factor Receptor 1 Activation During Exposure to Novelty Stress Protects Against Alzheimer's Disease-Like Cognitive Decline in APP/PS1 Mice. IOS Press January 2013 [abstract]

Tags: Brain & Neurology | Fitness | Mental Health | UK News

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