In the MPTP-mouse model of Parkinson's disease, eight weeks
of running improved balance, reduced the amount of a bad protein in the brain, reduced neuroinflammation and slowed cell death.
Study
Neuropotective
effects of endurance exercise against neuroinflammation in MPTP-induced
Parkinson's disease mice. (Jang et al., 2017).
Research
model
Parkinson's disease mouse. Mice were injected with a toxin called MPTP
to cause Parkinson's disease. Three
groups of mice were studied: 1. no MPTP injection; 2. MPTP injection; 3. MPTP
injection plus exercise.
Exercise
Endurance exercise (EE): Running five
days per week for 1 hour for 8 weeks.
Findings
Eight weeks of EE restored motor
performance.
Action
Click the links throughout this post
to learn more about some related topics.
What is MPTP? In the late 1970s a young chemistry student was
trying to make synthetic opioids for illicit use. He accidentally made MPTP which causes
permanent Parkinson's symptoms. Currently,
MPTP injected animals provide the best research model to study Parkinson's disease.
Mobility tests: How do you test the motor
ability of mice? See this Rotarod test video. The cellular and molecular measures in this
paper are very interesting. However, the
story would have been less complete if the researchers did not also study motor
function. In this paper (Figure 1B) the
Parkinson's mice that exercised for 8-weeks (ME group) stayed balanced on the
rod just as long as the non-PD mice. 
What is alpha-Synuclein? This is a protein that accumulates in excess
in the Parkinson's brain. In this paper (see Figure 1D) this protein was
restored to the normal levels in the Parkinson's mice who did 8-weeks of endurance
exercise (ME).
Neuroinflammation is seen in multiple neurodegenerative
diseases. This is a link to a scientifically 'heavy' paper. In the abstract, you will find a long list of
neurodegenerative diseases that involve neuroinflammation. The scientific progress we make with
Parkinson's disease benefits other conditions like Alzheimer's disease and visa versa. Neuroinflammation is part of the pathway to
cell death or apoptosis. In
Figure 3F of our selected paper, the bar graph shows the normal amount of
neuronal apoptotic cells in the PD mice that exercised. The PD mice that did not exercise had about 300% more cells that were dying.
Exercise Prescription: Running for an hour, five times per
week, for eight weeks might seem out of reach.
But you shouldn't ignore the amazing potential of some amount of endurance exercise in your life. Five
days of running was used in this study because it is a standard in this type of
research. No information in this study suggests that five days of running is
the minimal effective dose. You are likely to benefit even if you do less than
this amount. We know for sure that you will not get these benefits if you don't exercise. If you already do endurance exercise several
days per week - fantastic! Keep it up
and be sure to also pursue other aspects of fitness like functional strength
and balance.
Type: If running is not
enjoyable or possible, consider other types of exercise like hiking,
cycling, swimming or stationary exercise equipment (Ellipticals, rowing
machines…).
The First Step for Beginning Exercise
Study
Neuropotective
effects of endurance exercise against neuroinflammation in MPTP-induced
Parkinson's disease mice. (Jang et al., 2017).
Research
model
model
Parkinson's disease mouse. Mice were injected with a toxin called MPTP
to cause Parkinson's disease. Three
groups of mice were studied: 1. no MPTP injection; 2. MPTP injection; 3. MPTP
injection plus exercise.
Exercise
Endurance exercise (EE): Running five
days per week for 1 hour for 8 weeks.
Findings
Eight weeks of EE restored motor
performance.
alpaha-synuclein levels were
suppressed to non PD levels.
EE reversed PD neuro-inflammation which
leads to cell death.
Action
The First Step for Beginning Exercise
Historically, fast, high intensity or high power exercise strategies have not been recommended for older adults and patients. These exercises have been avoided mainly to minimize cardiovascular and musculoskeletal risks. We are beginning to understand the benefits of high power and high intensity exercise in various patient groups but we still need to apply such exercise strategies with caution. In 2015, the American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM) updated its approach to Pre-Participation Health Screening to minimize the risks of exercise without creating unnecessary barriers to exercise participation. Click here if you are interested in best-practices for screening.
Before you begin an exercise program, take a fitness test, or substantially increase your level of activity, make sure to answer the following questions. This physical activity readiness questionnaire (PAR-Q) will help determine if you’re ready to begin an exercise routine or program.
- Has your doctor ever said that you have a heart condition or that you should participate in physical activity only as recommended by a doctor?
- Do you feel pain in your chest during physical activity?
- In the past month, have you had chest pain when you were not doing physical activity?
- Do you lose your balance from dizziness? Do you ever lose consciousness?
- Do you have a bone or joint problem that could be made worse by a change in your physical activity?
- Is your doctor currently prescribing drugs for your blood pressure or a heart condition?
- Do you know of any reason you should not participate in physical activity?
