The benefit of physical exercise in cognitive function has been shown to be mediated by the microbiota

2025/08/19 Galarraga Aiestaran, Ana - Elhuyar Zientzia Iturria: Elhuyar aldizkaria

• Osasuna
• Anatomia/Fisiologia

It is known that moderate exercise helps to create new neurons and improve cognitive abilities. Now, researchers at the Instituto Cajal de España (CSIC) have shown that the microbiota plays a key role in this. Indeed, in their experiments with mouse models, they have found that moderate physical exercise (a 40-minute run at medium speed) improves on the one hand the diversity of the bacteria that live in the intestines and, on the other hand, that this results in neuronal changes. For example, new neurons are formed in the hippocampus, an area related to memory and learning.

Among the beneficial bacteria, the researchers highlight those belonging to the genus Acetatifactor and the family Lachnospiraceae. Additionally, to see the extent to which exercise is beneficial, another experiment was performed in which mice that did not exercise were transplanted with microbiota from those that exercised at moderate and severe intensity. Those who received the transplant of the first ones showed a cognitive improvement, not those who received the transplant of those who worked hard. The study, published in the journal eBioMedicine, is expected by the authors to be useful in the creation of new therapies aimed at the treatment of neurodegenerative diseases and cognitive disorders.