Low skeletal muscle mass is associated with cognitive impairment and dementia in older adults (Oudbier SJ, et.al., 2022).

Myokines are chemicals released from muscles by physically activity which can cross the blood-brain barrier. These myokines upregulate brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) in the brain. BDNF produces anti-inflammatory effects that may be responsible for neuroprotection.

Altered myokine secretion due to physical inactivity increases inflammation and impairs muscle glucose metabolism, potentially affecting the transport of insulin across the blood-brain barrier.

The researchers suggested that increasing physical activity would restore myokine balance affecting muscle mass and cognition.

Implementing high intensity short interval training is a quick way of increasing physical acivety.

Reference

Susanne Janette Oudbier, Jorming Goh, Stéphanie Marcella Leonie Maria Looijaard, Esmee Mariëlle Reijnierse, Carolus Gerardus Maria Meskers, Andrea Britta Maier, Pathophysiological Mechanisms Explaining the Association Between Low Skeletal Muscle Mass and Cognitive Function, J Gerontol A Biol Sci Med Sci. 2022 Oct 6;77(10):1959-1968.

 

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