Alzheimer's research targets muscles instead of the brain

Researchers are investigating a new strategy to fight Alzheimer's disease by focusing on muscles rather than the brain, based on the idea that improving communication between organs could enhance cognitive function.

Body systems work together in health and disease

The body is a network of interconnected organs that constantly exchange chemical signals. Recent studies suggest that brain function, including resistance to diseases like Alzheimer's, may depend on these interactions, which can originate from organs outside the nervous system.

Muscles release molecules that affect the brain

Muscle tissue, traditionally seen only as a source of movement, releases molecules called myokines when it contracts. These molecules travel through the bloodstream and can influence other organs, including the brain, by acting on distant cells.

Cathepsin B links exercise and brain health

One such molecule, cathepsin B, increases in the blood after physical activity. Earlier research has shown that this protein is linked to better cognitive function in both animals and humans, promoting brain plasticity and the creation of new neurons.

Study tests muscle-brain communication in mice

To explore whether cathepsin B could help protect against Alzheimer's, researchers increased its production in the muscles of mice genetically modified to develop symptoms of the disease. This experiment aims to determine if strengthening the communication between muscle and brain can improve the brain's ability to adapt and resist degeneration.