Muscle contractions aid brain network development.

Chemical signals released by contracting muscles can influence the growth of brain networks, according to a new study published in Neuroscience. The study highlights the importance of physical activity to mental health and could contribute to the development of more effective treatments for cognitive disorders such as Alzheimer’s disease. The findings suggest that muscle contractions release factors that can directly influence hippocampal cells involved in cognition, resulting in the more rapid maturation of the hippocampal neuronal network. Astrocytes, a type of glial cell, play a critical role in mediating the effects of exercise by regulating neuronal activity and preventing excessive excitability.