Serotonin Mediates Exercise-Induced Generation of New Neurons

[Reshy]

[url]http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2013/05/130513110926.htm[/url]

[QUOTE][B]Mice that exercise in running wheels exhibit increased neurogenesis in the brain. Crucial to this process is serotonin signaling. These are the findings of a study by Dr. Friederike Klempin, Daniel Beis and Dr. Natalia Alenina from the research group led by Professor Michael Bader at the Max Delbrück Center (MDC) Berlin-Buch. Surprisingly, mice lacking brain serotonin due to a genetic mutation exhibited normal baseline neurogenesis. However, in these serotonin-deficient mice, activity-induced proliferation was impaired, and wheel running did not induce increased generation of new neurons.[/B]

Scientists have known for some time that exercise induces neurogenesis in a specific brain region, the hippocampus. However, until this study, the underlying mechanism was not fully understood. The hippocampus plays an important role in learning and in memory and is one of the brain regions where new neurons are generated throughout life.

Serotonin facilitates precursor cell maturation

The researchers demonstrated that mice with the ability to produce serotonin are likely to release more of this hormone during exercise, which in turn increases cell proliferation of precursor cells in the hippocampus. Furthermore, serotonin seems to facilitate the transition of stem to progenitor cells that become neurons in the adult mouse brain.[/QUOTE]

Maybe people will stop asking why I pace when I'm deep in thought.

[ironman17]

Well, that certainly answers a few questions, like why some people pace back and forth when thinking.

[Reshy]

[QUOTE=ironman17;40628998]Well, that certainly answers a few questions, like why some people pace back and forth when thinking.[/QUOTE]

Helps create new neural pathways, so yeah.

[Water-Marine]

I always go for a jog between studies, always thought it helped me come back to previous problems. Interesting.

[KILLTHIS]

That's good to know. I really love going to the gym and enjoy working out.