Exercise and Stimulating Environments May Protect Brain Health and Prevent Depression
Scientists at Laval University in Canada conducted experiments on lab mice to investigate the effects of chronic psychological stress on brain health. The mice were divided into two groups: one group had access to physical exercise and stimulating items such as toys and shelters, while the other group lived in a bare laboratory environment with no enrichment or activities.
The researchers observed that mice deprived of activity showed a decrease in claudin-5 protein, which is crucial for maintaining the blood-brain barrier, and displayed anxiety and depressive-like behaviors. In contrast, mice that exercised regularly or lived in enriched environments showed no significant signs of such disorders.
A key factor in this protective effect was the protein Fgf2. Levels of Fgf2 increased in mice that exercised or lived in stimulating environments, making them more resilient to stress. When scientists artificially increased Fgf2 production in mice, the animals tolerated stress better and maintained normal social behavior.
The study also revealed that Fgf2 can be detected in the blood and that its concentration in humans rises with the severity of depression. This finding positions Fgf2 as a potential biomarker for psychological disorders—a rare discovery in the field of psychiatry.
