The Power of Intense Exercise in Slowing Parkinson's Disease

Intensive exercise has been found to slow the progression of Parkinson's disease, according to a study by neuroscientists. The research identified a new mechanism through which exercise in the early stages of the disease induces beneficial effects on movement control that can last even after training is stopped. The study demonstrated that intensive physical activity increases the production of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), which has neuroprotective effects. The exercise reduced the spread of pathological alpha-synuclein aggregates, which cause dysfunction in neurons essential for motor control. The findings could lead to the development of non-drug treatments for Parkinson's disease.