A new study by the University of California, San Francisco, has found that physical activity may help protect the brain and improve memory by repairing an important protective layer called the blood-brain barrier.
The research was published on February 18 in the journal ‘Cell’, titled ‘Liver eccrine reverses aging- and Alzheimer’s-related memory loss via vasculature’.
Researchers discovered that exercise helps the liver release an enzyme called (Glycosylphosphatidylinositol-specific phospholipase D1) GPLD1. This enzyme removes a harmful protein known as TNAP that builds up with age and weakens the blood-brain barrier. When this barrier becomes weak, harmful substances can enter the brain, causing inflammation and memory problems.
The study showed that in older mice, reducing TNAP levels (Tissue-Nonspecific Alkaline Phosphatase) helped repair the barrier, lowered brain inflammation, and improved memory. Scientists say this explains why regular physical activity is linked to better thinking and a lower risk of brain diseases like Alzheimer’s.
According to lead researcher Saul Villeda, the findings reveal an important connection between the body and brain ageing. He said the discovery shows that brain health is not controlled by the brain alone but also depends on processes in other organs, such as the liver.
Researchers also found that GPLD1 does not enter the brain directly. Instead, it works through the bloodstream by removing TNAP from blood vessel cells around the brain, helping restore the barrier’s strength.
Scientists believe this discovery could lead to new treatments for Alzheimer’s disease. Future medicines may be designed to remove harmful proteins like TNAP and repair the blood-brain barrier, even later in life.
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